Misty Step 5e: Teleportation as a Bonus Action

Misty Step is a 2nd-level spell that teleports you 30 feet as a bonus action. It doesn't trigger opportunity attacks. It bypasses terrain. It's the "get out of bad situations free" card.

The Spell

• Level: 2
• Casting Time: 1 bonus action
• Range: Self
• Components: V
• Duration: Instantaneous
• Classes: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard, Eldritch Knight (subset)

Effect

Surrounded by silvery mist, you teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space that you can see.

Why It's Powerful

Bonus action. You still get your action. Misty Step + Attack, or Misty Step + Cast Spell, is the norm. You're not spending your round to reposition.

No opportunity attacks. Teleportation doesn't trigger opportunity attacks. You leave melee freely.

30 feet. That's a full normal move. More than enough to cross most rooms.

Verbal only. Works if you can speak. Silenced? No Misty Step. Otherwise, fine.

When to Use Misty Step

• Escape melee. Surrounded by three enemies? Teleport 30 feet away.
• Bypass obstacles. Enemies blocking a corridor? Teleport past.
• Position for attacks. Teleport adjacent to the squishy caster.
• Get to cover. Teleport behind a wall to break line of sight.
• Avoid save-or-suck spells. Teleport out of a Hypnotic Pattern's AOE (if you see the pattern start).

Range Limitation

30 feet. The target space must be unoccupied and visible.

• Can't teleport into a wall (you'd need to see the other side).
• Can't teleport more than 30 feet.
• Can't teleport while Silenced (verbal component).

Misty Step vs. Dimension Door

Dimension Door is 4th level. Same concept but 500 feet range, and you can bring an ally.

Misty Step is shorter range but cheaper (2nd level slot). For solo play, Misty Step almost always suffices. For party play, Dimension Door for party transport is occasionally useful.

Misty Step + Quickened (Sorcerer)

Normally, you can't Quicken a bonus action spell (quicken turns 1-action spells into bonus action; Misty Step is already bonus action).

But you CAN cast a cantrip on your action plus Misty Step on your bonus action. So:

1. Action: Fire Bolt (or other cantrip).
2. Bonus Action: Misty Step 30 feet away.
3. Move: another 30 feet.

Effectively, Firebolt + teleport + move 60 ft total. Great for kiting.

In Solo Play

Solo Misty Step is a panic button:

• Dropping HP fast? Misty Step to safety, then heal next turn.
• Enemy closing distance? Misty Step away.
• Hazardous area? Misty Step to safer ground.

It's a 2nd-level slot per use, but for solo characters where survival is everything, Misty Step is one of the most valuable spells to know.

Classes to Always Learn This

• Sorcerer. Yes.
• Warlock. Yes (at level 5 when 2nd-level slot opens).
• Wizard. Yes.
• Eldritch Knight. Yes (available at level 7 for subset casters).

Tieflings get Thaumaturgy/Hellish Rebuke/Darkness as racial, not Misty Step, but other species or class features can grant it.

The Endlessness and Misty Step

Our AI Dungeon Master handles Misty Step's bonus action timing, range check (must be visible), opportunity attack bypass, and verbal component requirement. When you declare "I Misty Step 30 feet to [location]," the system confirms visibility and teleports you.

For related reads, our sorcerer guide, wizard guide, and opportunity attacks guide cover related mechanics.

Final Takeaway

Misty Step is a must-know for any Wizard, Sorcerer, or Warlock. The bonus-action cost and no-opportunity-attack mechanic make it the most tactical escape spell in the game.

Start a caster on The Endlessness and keep Misty Step prepared. Your survival rate doubles.