Arms of Hadar

A
Damage

Arms of Hadar is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that lashes nearby foes with necrotic tendrils, harming
multiple foes

Arms of Hadar is a Multi Target spell. Multi Target spells have an area of effect or can explicitly target multiple allies or enemies.

See all Multi Target spells →
 and freezing their reactions.

2024 Rules
Level & School
1st-level conjuration
Casting Time
Action
Range
Self
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Warlock

Invoking Hadar, you cause tendrils to erupt from yourself. Each creature in a 10-foot Emanation originating from you makes a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, a target takes 2d6 Necrotic damage and can't take Reactions until the start of its next turn. On a successful save, a target takes half as much damage only.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 1.

2014 Rules
Level & School
1st-level conjuration
Casting Time
Action
Range
Self (10-foot radius)
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Warlock

You invoke the power of Hadar, the Dark Hunger. Tendrils of dark energy erupt from you and batter all creatures within 10 feet of you. Each creature in that area must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, a target takes 2d6 necrotic damage and can’t take reactions until its next turn. On a successful save, the creature takes half damage, but suffers no other effect.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st.

Arms of Hadar 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Effectively the same spell. The 2024 version is reworded but functions identically.

Arms of Hadar popularity

Arms of Hadar is one of the rarest level 1 spells in the game. Choosing it will set you apart from all other casters.

Spells similar to Arms of Hadar

  • Thunderwave 1st-level evocation

    Like Arms of Hadar, it is a low‑level self‑originating burst that hits every creature in range for instant damage and affects positioning or reactions.

  • Burning Hands 1st-level evocation

    Both are first‑level, self‑centered area attacks you cast in close quarters to damage multiple enemies at once.

  • Ice Knife 1st-level conjuration

    Ice Knife deals area damage around a hit target and uses a save to reduce effect, making it mechanically similar as a small multi‑target damaging spell.

  • Spirit Guardians 3rd-level conjuration

    Although higher level and ongoing, it is a self‑centered area that repeatedly damages multiple foes around you and fits the same close‑quarters battlefield role.

  • Hunger of Hadar 3rd-level conjuration

    It shares conjuration, necrotic/flavor overlap and creates an area that punishes creatures near you, so it fills a similar thematic and tactical niche at a larger scale.