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 25% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 50% of all level 1 spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Armor of Agathys
Shadow of Moil 4th-level necromancy
Warlocks use both spells to stay protected while retaliating against enemies that attack them.
Players prefer Shadow of Moil over Armor of Agathys
Hellish Rebuke 1st-level evocation
This warlock spell also answers an enemy's successful attack with immediate damage, though it uses a reaction instead.
Players prefer Hellish Rebuke over Armor of Agathys
Fire Shield 4th-level evocation
This self-targeted spell combines protection with automatic cold or fire damage against nearby attackers.
Players prefer Armor of Agathys over Fire Shield
Absorb Elements 1st-level abjuration
Both reduce the danger of incoming attacks and turn that defense into a brief burst of elemental damage.
Players prefer Armor of Agathys over Absorb Elements
False Life 1st-level necromancy
It is another first-level self-buff that provides extra survivability before incoming damage lands.
Players prefer Armor of Agathys over False Life
Death Armor 2nd-level necromancy
Like Armor of Agathys, it grants a lasting self-defense effect that punishes creatures for striking you.
Players prefer Armor of Agathys over Death Armor