Why Hail of Thorns Might Be the Most Underrated Ranger Spell

Introduction

If you play a ranger in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, you already know what you are good at. You pick off enemies from a distance. You track monsters through dangerous terrain. You are quick, quiet, and efficient.

But there is a spell in your kit that can do something many players overlook. One shot. Multiple enemies hurt. That spell is Hail of Thorns.

Hail of Thorns is one of the few ranger spells that gives you area damage early in the game. It is quick to cast, easy to apply, and very satisfying when you hit a packed group of enemies.

But like many spells in 5e, it is easy to get wrong. Some players try to combine it with Hunter’s Mark. Some forget that it affects allies. Some assume it hits even if they miss their attack.

This blog is for players who want to correctly use the spell. This guide cuts through the noise. It succinctly explains Hail of Thorns, how it works, when to use it, and what mistakes to avoid.

If you’re starting D&D, a DM wanting to understand spells better, or a player trying to make your ranger great, stick around. We’ll reveal what this spell truly does.

What Hail of Thorns Actually Does?

Hail of Thorns is a first-level spell for rangers. You cast it as a bonus action. That means you can still attack normally on the same turn. Once it is active, your next ranged weapon attack becomes enhanced.

If you hit a creature with that attack, something extra happens.

Magical thorns burst from the impact. Every creature within five feet of the target must make a Dexterity saving throw. If they fail, they take 1d10 piercing damage. If they succeed, they take half that damage. This is on top of the normal damage from your weapon. That is the spell.

It only triggers on a hit. If your attack misses, the spell does not activate. However, the spell stays up for one minute, so you can try again until it either activates, your concentration is broken, or the time runs out.

You can also cast it using higher-level spell slots. For every level above first, the spell deals an extra d10 damage. So if you use a second-level slot, the thorn burst deals 2d10. A third-level slot deals 3d10, and so on, up to 6d10.

One important thing to know. Hail of Thorns requires concentration. That means you cannot use it while concentrating on another spell like Hunter’s Mark. The first spell ends if you cast Hail of Thorns while concentrating on something else.

Also, the spell does not ask you to choose which creatures are affected. All creatures within five feet of your target are affected. That includes enemies, allies, and even summoned creatures.

So be careful who is standing near your target when you fire.

When to Use It

Hail of Thorns works best when enemies are close together. That is the main rule. You want to hit at least two creatures with the thorn burst. If you only hit one, you are not getting full value from the spell.

The most common time to use it is at the start of combat. If you go first, cast Hail of Thorns and take your shot before the enemies spread out. This works exceptionally well if they are charging through a door or bunched in a hallway.

You should also look for chances when an enemy group surrounds one of your party members. Just make sure your party member is not in the blast radius. Otherwise, you might cause more harm than help.

This spell is also suitable for softening weak enemies. A group of goblins or skeletons with low health might all fall at once if they fail their saves. That can turn a hard fight into an easy one.

Avoid using Hail of Thorns if you are fighting a single strong enemy. You are better off saving your spell slot or using Hunter’s Mark instead. Also, skip it if enemies are too spread out or your allies stand next to the target.

Hail of Thorns is not a spell you cast every round. It is one you hold onto until the perfect opportunity shows up. Then you strike.

How to Use It at the Table

When your turn starts and the moment looks right, cast Hail of Thorns as your bonus action. You do not need to choose a target yet. The spell prepares your next ranged weapon attack.

Then make your normal attack with your bow, crossbow, or thrown weapon. If you hit, roll your normal weapon damage as usual. After that, every creature within five feet of the target must make a Dexterity saving throw.

You then roll the thorn damage. That is 1d10, or more if you upcast the spell. Each creature takes full damage on a failed save or half damage if they succeed. Then the spell ends.

If you miss your attack, the spell stays active. It will remain ready until you land a hit, lose concentration, or until a minute has passed.

If you take damage while the spell is active, you must roll a Constitution saving throw to keep concentration. If you fail, the spell ends and does nothing.

This spell works very well with sneak attacks or surprise rounds. If you can fire from hiding or a high place, you will likely land the hit and stay safe from incoming attacks.

It also works well with feats like Sharpshooter, as long as you are confident in your attack bonus. A Sharpshooter hit combined with Hail of Thorns can turn one shot into a game-changing move.

Why You Cannot Use It with Hunter’s Mark

There is a lot of confusion online about using Hail of Thorns with Hunter’s Mark. Let’s clear it up now. You cannot use both at the same time, not because of the action types, but because of the concentration rule.

In 5e, you can only concentrate on one spell at a time. Hail of Thorns requires concentration. So does Hunter’s Mark. The first spell ends if you try to cast one while focusing on the other.

So how do you choose?

Use Hunter’s Mark when you are fighting a single brutal enemy and you plan to shoot it for several rounds. It gives you bonus damage every time you hit.

Use Hail of Thorns when enemies are grouped and you want to hit multiple targets simultaneously. That is your crowd-control option.

You might use Hail of Thorns early, then switch to Hunter’s Mark once enemies are more spread out. That is a smart way to use both spells without breaking the rules.

What you should never do is assume you can stack them. You cannot. And honestly, you do not need to. Both spells are strong in different ways.

Is It Still Useful at Higher Levels

Yes. Hail of Thorns keeps getting better if you use higher-level spell slots. It will never do as much raw damage as Fireball, but it is one of your few reliable area spells for a ranger.

It is beneficial if you multiclass. For example, a ranger who dips into fighter for Action Surge can cast Hail of Thorns, shoot once to trigger the spell, then shoot again with the second action. That gives you a nice two-shot opening without breaking the rules.

It also works well in surprise rounds, ambushes, or when you have the high ground. Your first shot hits hard, and the thorn burst weakens everyone nearby. That makes it easier for your party to clean up the rest.

At higher levels, spell slots are more valuable. You might not use Hail of Thorns often, but when you do, it will still work well — especially in fights against multiple mid-strength enemies.

What I Have Learned from Using It

I have seen this spell used in many games and have used it myself many times. Here is what I have learned. It works best when the player is patient. People often waste it by firing too early or casting it just for one enemy.

The real value is when you catch two or three creatures standing close together. One arrow, three saves, lots of damage. That is when it feels worth the slot.

I have also seen players forget about the five-foot radius and hit their own allies. That is a mistake you usually only make once.

The biggest thing is knowing when not to use it. Not every fight has a good setup for this spell. And that is fine. Hold onto it. Use it when the layout works. That is how you get real value from Hail of Thorns.

I do not think it is a spell that defines the ranger, but it is a spell that rewards good thinking. When it works, it really works.

So, What Have We Learned?

Hail of Thorns isn’t about doing more damage than every other spell. It’s about knowing when to use it.

It rewards players who watch the field, wait for the right shot, and understand what their ranger is built to do.

You won’t use it every fight. That’s not the point. It’s for the moments when one arrow can do more than just hit a single target. When enemies group up. When space is tight. When the fight needs a clean opening.

It’s not a combo piece. It doesn’t stack with everything. It does one thing and it does it well.

If you’re playing a ranger and you’ve been skipping this spell, stop. It’s better than it looks. All it asks is that you aim with purpose.

That’s what makes it ranger magic.

Quick FAQ

Can I use it with Hunter’s Mark?

No. Both require concentration. You can only use one at a time.

Does it hit allies?

Yes. All creatures within five feet of the target are affected.

What happens if I miss?

The spell stays active until you hit, lose concentration, or one minute passes.

Can I use it with thrown weapons?

Yes. Any ranged weapon counts, including thrown weapons.

Does it work with critical hits?

Yes. You roll normal critical damage for the weapon. Hail of Thorns damage is not doubled unless your DM rules otherwise.