Acid Splash 4e FAQ FAQ
What is the difference between Acid Splash and Acid Orb in D&D 4e?
Acid Orb is an official D&D 4e Sorcerer level 1 at-will spell, while Acid Splash is a D&D Portal homebrew conversion. Acid Orb is built as a long-range single-target attack: it has Ranged 20, deals 1d10 + Charisma modifier acid damage, scales to 2d10 at level 21, and can be used as a ranged basic attack. The Portal Acid Splash conversion instead uses shorter range and lower primary damage, but a successful hit can also damage one enemy adjacent to the primary target. They are therefore different powers with different tactical roles.
Acid Orb is the most obvious official comparison for a 4e Acid Splash conversion because both are repeatable low-level arcane acid attacks. That similarity makes Acid Orb valuable as a balance reference, but it can also make the two powers look more interchangeable than they really are. D&D Portal keeps the distinction explicit. Acid Orb remains the official Sorcerer option from Player’s Handbook 2, while Acid Splash is a separate conversion designed around shorter range and limited secondary pressure against clustered enemies.
Acid Orb is official; Acid Splash is converted
Acid 
D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Orb was published as a Sorcerer 
D&D Portal - Sorcerer Character class A Charisma-based known-spell full caster whose Sorcery Points and Metamagic reshape spells in ways other casters cannot. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/classes/sorcerer/ Attack 1 power in Player’s Handbook 2. It is an official at-will spell and can be selected and used according to the normal rules for Sorcerer D&D Portal - Sorcerer Character class A Charisma-based known-spell full caster whose Sorcery Points and Metamagic reshape spells in ways other casters cannot. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/classes/sorcerer/ powers.
The Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash power on D&D Portal was not published as a 4e spell. It is an original conversion intended to preserve the identity of the earlier Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash concept while expressing it through 4e power mechanics.
That difference in source status is important in actual play. Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Orb belongs to the official rules, while Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash requires a campaign to allow the Portal conversion or an equivalent house rule.
Acid Orb is a long-range single-target power
Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Orb has Ranged 20, targets one creature, and attacks Reflex using Charisma. On a hit it deals 1d10 + Charisma modifier Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/, increasing to 2d10 + Charisma modifier at level 21.
That profile makes Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Orb a focused ranged attack 
D&D Portal - Attack Roll Combat rule Attack Roll is a combat rule used by attacks,
damage, defenses, or turn order. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/combat/attack-roll/. The power gives a Sorcerer D&D Portal - Sorcerer Character class A Charisma-based known-spell full caster whose Sorcery Points and Metamagic reshape spells in ways other casters cannot. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/classes/sorcerer/ a substantial reach advantage and does not depend on enemies standing next to one another to deliver its normal value.
Its single-target damage is also intentionally stronger than the Portal Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash conversion. Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Orb spends its power budget on reach, damage, and basic-attack flexibility rather than on affecting an additional adjacent enemy.
Acid Splash trades range and primary damage for splash damage
The D&D Portal Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash conversion uses Ranged 10 rather than Ranged 20. Its primary hit also uses a 1d6 
D&D Portal - Dice Roller Roll your dice Roll standard or custom dice with adjustable count, faces, advantage, and disadvantage. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/dice-roller/ damage die instead of Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Orb’s 1d10.
In exchange, a successful Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash hit can deal Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ equal to the caster’s relevant ability modifier to one enemy adjacent to the primary target. That secondary effect is the defining tactical benefit of the conversion.
The power therefore becomes more attractive when enemies cluster together. Against an isolated target, the caster receives no secondary damage and Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Orb retains the more efficient single-target profile.
Acid Orb can be used as a ranged basic attack
Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Orb contains a specific rule allowing it to be used as a ranged basic attack. That is more than descriptive wording: it changes which other powers, class features, and granted-attack effects can interact with Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Orb.
The Portal Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash conversion deliberately does not include the same permission. It is an at-will ranged attack D&D Portal - Attack Roll Combat rule Attack Roll is a combat rule used by attacks,
damage, defenses, or turn order. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/combat/attack-roll/ power, but it remains distinct from a ranged basic attack unless another rule specifically changes that status.
This is one of the clearest mechanical boundaries between the powers. Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Orb offers broader interaction with the basic-attack system, while Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash receives its positional secondary damage instead.
Acid Splash is not a full area power
The name “Splash” does not turn the Portal conversion into an Area burst or Close blast. The caster still makes one primary attack against one creature.
Only after that attack hits can one adjacent enemy take the smaller splash damage. There is no second attack roll and no automatic attack against every creature surrounding the primary target.
This restriction prevents Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash from competing directly with dedicated Wizard 
D&D Portal - Wizard Character class An Intelligence-based prepared full caster with the largest spell-learning system, ritual flexibility, and subclass traditions focused on schools or specialist theories. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/classes/wizard/ area at-wills. It rewards a useful enemy formation without providing the coverage of a power designed to attack an entire burst.
Which one is better for a character?
There is no single answer independent of campaign rules and battlefield circumstances. Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Orb is the official option and is generally stronger when a Sorcerer D&D Portal - Sorcerer Character class A Charisma-based known-spell full caster whose Sorcery Points and Metamagic reshape spells in ways other casters cannot. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/classes/sorcerer/ wants reliable long-range pressure against one target.
Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash is an optional homebrew alternative for a campaign that wants the older spell represented in 4e and values a small amount of secondary damage when enemies stand together.
The design goal is not for Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash to replace Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Orb. Their tradeoffs are intentional: Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Orb emphasizes reach, single-target damage, and basic-attack utility; Acid D&D Portal - Acid Damage type Acid is a damage type used by attacks,
spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/acid/ Splash emphasizes controlled secondary pressure and the identity of the converted spell.