Searing Vengeance is a 3rd-level evocation spell from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything that turns a creature’s moment of triumph into a fiery rebuke. When an enemy within 60 feet damages you, you use your reaction to wreathe it in divine flames, dealing 3d10 fire damage immediately and another 3d10 at the start of your next turn unless it spends its action to put out the flames. It works because it punishes melee attackers without requiring a spell attack roll or saving throw, making it a reliable, no-miss defensive option for clerics, paladins, and bards who find themselves in the thick of combat.
Ingredients
- 1 reaction, triggered when you take damage from a creature within 60 feet
- 1 3rd-level spell slot (or higher, if upcast)
- Verbal and somatic components (no material component)
- 1 creature that damaged you (the target)
- Optional: a free hand to perform the somatic component
Instructions
- Confirm the trigger. The spell only works when a creature you can see within 60 feet damages you. If the damage comes from a trap, a spell, or an environmental effect, the spell cannot be cast.
- Declare your reaction. As soon as you take damage, announce that you are casting searing vengeance using your reaction. You must do this before the damage is fully resolved, so be ready.
- Cast the spell. Speak the verbal component and gesture with your free hand. No attack roll is needed, and no saving throw is allowed—the target simply takes the damage.
- Apply initial fire damage. The creature takes 3d10 fire damage immediately. Roll the dice and subtract the damage from its hit points.
- Set the lingering flames. At the start of your next turn, the target takes another 3d10 fire damage. This second burst happens automatically unless the creature uses its action to extinguish the flames.
- Track the target’s action. On its turn, the target can choose to use its action to pat out the flames. If it does, it takes no further damage from the spell. If it does not, it suffers the second 3d10 at the start of your next turn.
- Upcast if desired. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, add 1d10 to both the initial and the secondary damage for each slot level above 3rd. For example, a 5th-level slot deals 5d10 twice.
Tips
- Use it on multiattackers. The spell triggers on the first hit, but the secondary damage happens on your next turn. If the enemy has multiple attacks, the extra damage can discourage it from continuing its assault.
- Pair with damage resistance. If you have resistance to the triggering damage (e.g., from a barbarian’s rage or a tiefling’s fire resistance), you take less damage but still get to cast the spell, making it a net gain.
- Don’t save it for bosses. The spell is most effective against creatures that rely on melee attacks. Using it on a minion wastes a 3rd-level slot; save it for a brute or a creature that will survive the round.
- Coordinate with your party. If a rogue or monk is next to the target, the secondary damage might not matter, but the action cost to extinguish flames can deny the enemy its action economy—use that strategically.
Serving Suggestions
This spell shines on a cleric who stands in the front line with heavy armor and a shield. It also works well on a paladin who wants to punish enemies that strike their allies (if you have the Warcaster feat, you can use it on opportunity attacks). Bards who pick it up via Magical Secrets can use it to protect themselves while maintaining concentration on a control spell. Serve it with a high Constitution save to maintain concentration, since the flames don’t require you to stay still.
Variations
- Upcast for burst damage: Using a 5th-level slot turns this into a 5d10 + 5d10 nova, which can be a strong finisher against a wounded foe.
- Multiclass with sorcerer: A sorcerer can use Extended Spell to double the duration of the lingering flames, but note that the secondary damage still only occurs once at the start of your next turn—the spell ends after that, so the metamagic has limited benefit.
- Pair with fire-themed features: If you have a feature that adds fire damage (like a draconic sorcerer’s elemental affinity), the initial damage from this spell does not benefit, but the spell itself is still a fire spell for other synergies.
- Use on a familiar or summoned creature: If a familiar or summoned beast damages you (with your permission), you can trigger the spell, but this is rarely practical in combat.
Storage and Reheating
This spell cannot be stored or prepared ahead of time—it is cast on the fly. However, you can keep it in a ring of spell storing or a pearl of power if you want to use it later. Once cast, the effect lasts until the start of your next turn, so there is no long-term storage. If you are a wizard (via Magic Initiate or Bardic Secrets), you cannot add it to your spellbook unless you have a feature that allows it. The spell slot is expended immediately, so plan your spell usage accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cast searing vengeance if I am reduced to 0 hit points? Yes, as long as you are conscious enough to use a reaction. If you are knocked unconscious by the damage, you cannot cast the spell because you cannot take reactions while unconscious.
Does the target have to be the one who dealt the damage? Yes, the spell specifically targets the creature that damaged you. If a creature damages you via a trap or an area effect, it still counts if it is a creature you can see within 60 feet.
Can I use this spell on an opportunity attack? No, the trigger is taking damage, not making an attack. You cannot cast it on your own turn unless you somehow damage yourself (which is not recommended).
Does the secondary damage happen if the target is dead? No, if the target dies before the start of your next turn, the spell has no secondary effect. The flames are on the creature, not on the space.
Can I cast this spell while concentrating on another spell? Yes, as long as you are not already concentrating on a spell that requires concentration. Searing vengeance does not require concentration, so it can be used alongside a concentration spell like bless or spirit guardians.
Is the damage from this spell considered magical for overcoming resistance? Yes, it is a spell, so it bypasses nonmagical resistance and immunity to nonmagical damage.
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