Armor of Agathys
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
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
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 each 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
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
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 level above 1st.
Armor of Agathys 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Armor of Agathys popularity
How popular is Armor of Agathys? It is a commonly found spell in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a reliable addition to any spellbook.
- #3 picked level 1 Warlock spell
- Top 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 50% of all level 1 spells
Spells similar to Armor of Agathys
Hellish Rebuke 1st-level evocation
Though instantaneous and reactive, it provides immediate punitive damage to attackers, matching the 'hurt whoever hits you' use case.
Players prefer Hellish Rebuke over Armor of Agathys
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.
Players prefer Armor of Agathys over Fire Shield
False Life 1st-level necromancy
It grants temporary hit points on yourself at 1st level, making it the closest mechanical analogue for survivability.
Players prefer Armor of Agathys over False Life
Backlash 4th-level abjuration
As a spell that deals damage in response to enemies, it mirrors the tactical role of discouraging melee attackers.
Players prefer Armor of Agathys over Backlash
Death Armor 2nd-level necromancy
This spell combines self-buffing with a damage-return effect, so it parallels the protective-plus-retaliatory fantasy.
Players prefer Armor of Agathys over Death Armor