Darts of force Darts of force is a version of the magic missile spell commonly known to all mage s . As with most variants up to five missiles of pure magical energy can be projected at a target or targets , in most cases rendering them insensible or outright killing them from a combination of physical kinetic impact and system shock . Use and Practitioners . The best known user of this variant of the magic missile spell is Pharaun Mizzrym . Favoring the ability to eschew with material components and still cast a ( relatively ) potent spell , it has saved his life on more than one occasion . For this same reason the spell is generally coveted by any mages who know of it ' s existence . It ' s most common users are Underdark Sorcerers , Underdark Wizards , or Multiclass characters who wish to retain spell casting capability without their material components . Mechanics . This spell requires only a movement of the hands and vocalizations of a few syllables . Depending on the power of the mage between one and five tiny balls of magical force resembling small orbs of colored magical fire will streak to their target without fail . This spell never misses it ' s target . In game terms one missile is gained at every second level after first ( 1st , 3d , 5th , etc ) with each dart doing 1d6 damage . A mage may not launch more than 5 missiles at a time except in case of extraordinary circumstances . Such could take the form of new metamagic , or creative use of other magical effects and supplements . Appearance . This spells exact proportions and appearance , like its parent spell magic missile , vary considerably from caster to caster . Depending on the whim , outlook , power , alignment , disposition , and even mood of the caster the spell can take an almost infinite amount of forms . Variables include color , size , speed , pattern of movement , and even overall visual presentation . Although the change is only a cosmetic one , the power of the spell remaining constant , the variability of this spell can prove a boon to a clever adventurer . For example , Aedith ' s darts of force could take the form of the universally recognized tiny balls of blue flame synonymous with the standard magic missile spell , while the next day when she ' s in a cross mood they could appear red . Denton ' s darts of force could take the form of solid shiny metal balls , or demon ' s heads with opened maws streaking towards their target . Although mostly this is an unconscious manifestation , some mages are able to shape their darts quite puissant , having them appear as whatever is most beneficial at the time . Because of their innate ability to shape magic into recognizable forms , illusionist s and gnome s excel at this sort of magic . Where to find it . The most common place to find it is in a spellbook of an underdark magician . Surface mages DO indeed posses the knowledge of the specifics of this spell , however it has not widely disseminated it ' s self into the general pool of common spells that most surface wizards draw from or learn in their academy days . Strangely , considering the underdark ' s citizens ' general distrust of one another and constant scheming and one - uppery , the spell is much more common in underground campaigns and settings . This seems counter - intuitive until you realize that the harsh underworld holds many dangers , and one ( especially an unarmored mage ) must have some sort of defense ready at all times , especially when at their most vulnerable . The lack of material components makes this spell a fantastic weapon of treachery or last resort , and since necessity is the mother of invention it is no wonder the underdark wizard community , and the drow in particular , were able to tease out its secrets and spread them far and wide . There was just more need of such an animal , and by that regard more wealth to be had by its spread .