Armor of Agathys

A
Support

Armor of Agathys is a Support spell. Support spells strengthen, protect, or buff allies.

See all Support spells →
 spell of icy protection that boosts your staying power without
healing

Armor of Agathys is a Healing spell. Healing spells restore hit points and bring characters back to life.

See all Healing spells →
, and punishes melee hits with chilling
retaliation

Armor of Agathys is a Retaliation spell. Retaliation spells hurt or negatively impact attackers.

See all Retaliation spells →
.

2024 Rules
Level & School
1st-level abjuration
Casting Time
Bonus action
Range
Self
Components
V, S, M (a shard of blue glass)
Duration
1 hour
Classes
Warlock

Protective magical frost surrounds you. You gain 5 Temporary Hit Points. If a creature hits you with a melee attack roll before the spell ends, the creature takes 5 Cold damage. The spell ends early if you have no Temporary Hit Points.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The Temporary Hit Points and the Cold damage both increase by 5 for cach spell slot level above 1.

2014 Rules
Level & School
1st-level abjuration
Casting Time
Action
Range
Self
Components
V, S, M (a cup of water)
Duration
1 hour
Classes
Warlock

A protective magical force surrounds you, manifesting as a spectral frost that covers you and your gear. You gain 5 temporary hit points for the duration. If a creature hits you with a melee attack while you have these hit points, the creature takes 5 cold damage.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, both the temporary hit points and the cold damage increase by 5 for each slot.

Armor of Agathys 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The 2024 version now ends early if you lose all the Temporary Hit Points. Everything else is the same, including the 1-hour duration, self range, and the +5 scaling per slot level above 1.

Armor of Agathys popularity

Armor of Agathys is a seldom chosen level 1 spell. Choosing it adds a unique option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Armor of Agathys

  • False Life 1st-level necromancy

    It grants temporary hit points on yourself at 1st level, making it the closest mechanical analogue for survivability.

  • Death Armor 2nd-level necromancy

    This spell combines self-buffing with a damage-return effect, so it parallels the protective-plus-retaliatory fantasy.

  • Hellish Rebuke 1st-level evocation

    Though instantaneous and reactive, it provides immediate punitive damage to attackers, matching the 'hurt whoever hits you' use case.

  • Fire Shield 4th-level evocation

    It surrounds the caster with elemental protection that also burns creatures that strike you, offering a similar defensive-and-retaliatory choice.

  • Backlash 4th-level abjuration

    As a spell that deals damage in response to enemies, it mirrors the tactical role of discouraging melee attackers.