Magic Missile

Guaranteed force darts that strike true without needing an attack roll.

Magic Missile is one of the most iconic and reliable spells in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, often serving as a wizard's first true taste of arcane combat power. Unlike many other spells that require a roll to determine if they hit their target, this spell guarantees impact, sending one or more glowing darts of force energy directly into an enemy. It is a staple of the wizard and sorcerer classes, representing the fundamental principle of directed magical energy.

Quick Facts

School: Evocation
Level: 1st-level
Casting time: 1 action
Duration: Instantaneous
Classes: Sorcerer, Wizard

Reader's Guide

Mechanically, Magic Missile creates a number of darts based on the spell slot used: one dart at 1st level, plus one additional dart for every two levels above 1st. Each dart deals force damage and automatically hits its target, requiring no attack roll. This makes it immune to being dodged or blocked by traditional armor, though creatures with resistance to force damage can mitigate the harm. The spell is instantaneous, meaning the energy dissipates immediately after impact, leaving no lingering effects or area hazards. Lore-wise, the spell represents a direct channeling of the Weave (or its equivalent in other settings) into kinetic form. It is restricted to classes with access to evocation magic and requires verbal and somatic components, meaning a caster must speak the incantation and gesture freely to cast it.

Did You Know?

When 4th edition was first released, magic missile needed an attack roll; a July 2010 update returned it to an automatic hit with lower damage.
Its automatic damage makes it one of the most-used spells in the game.