Level
4th
Casting Time
1 Action
Range/Area
300 ft.
(20 ft. *)
Components
V, S, M *
Duration
Instantaneous
School
Evocation
Attack/Save
DEX Save
Damage/Effect
Bludgeoning (...)
Hail falls in a 20-foot-radius, 40-foot-high Cylinder centered on a point within range. Each creature in the Cylinder makes a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 2d10 Bludgeoning damage and 4d6 Cold damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
Hailstones turn ground in the Cylinder into Difficult Terrain until the end of your next turn.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The Bludgeoning damage increases by 1d10 for each spell slot level above 4.
* - (a mitten)
I am confused how they managed to do absolutely nothing with this spell for the 2024 version... Why would anyone ever use it?
They up the bludgeoning damage (d8 to d10). The range and size makes it a great spell overall for damage and area control.
I fail to see why Sorcerers and Wizards would use this spell over Fireball besides flavor, as it does less damage and is a spell slot higher. The difficult terrain is an upside, but it only lasts for one round. On the other hand, this spell is an almost strict upgrade for Druids over Erupting Earth, with the only downside being EE's damage is less commonly resisted. Personally, I love this spell and I wish it got a better buff like knocking the creatures that fail the save prone.