Blight

A
Damage

Blight is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that drains a creature’s vitality with necrotic decay, or withers nonmagical plants to death.

2024 Rules
Level & School
4th-level necromancy
Casting Time
Action
Range
30 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

A creature that you can see within range makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 8d8 Necrotic damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. A Plant creature automatically fails the save.

Alternatively, target a nonmagical plant that isn't a creature, such as a tree or shrub. It doesn't make a save; it simply withers and dies.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 4.

2014 Rules
Level & School
4th-level necromancy
Casting Time
Action
Range
30 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

Necromantic energy washes over a creature of your choice that you can see within range, draining moisture and vitality from it. The target must make a Constitution saving throw. The target takes 8d8 necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. This spell has no effect on undead or constructs.

If you target a plant creature or a magical plant, it makes the saving throw with disadvantage, and the spell deals maximum damage to it.

If you target a nonmagical plant that isn't a creature, such as a tree or shrub, it doesn't make a saving throw; it simply withers and dies.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 4th.

Blight 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Plant creatures now automatically fail the save, instead of rolling with disadvantage and taking maximum damage. That means they take the spell’s normal 8d8 necrotic damage rather than max damage.

Blight popularity

Blight is one of the most popular level 4 spells in the game. Choosing it adds a D&D staple to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Blight

  • Phantasmal Killer 4th-level illusion

    A fourth-level spell that targets one creature at range and deals repeated terrifying damage to a single foe, matching Blight's single-target offensive role and level.

  • Vitriolic Sphere 4th-level evocation

    Also a fourth-level offensive spell from the caster lists Blight shares, it delivers high single-target damage at range and occupies the same niche of raw damage output.

  • Doomtide 4th-level conjuration

    A level-4 damaging effect that can shape the battlefield while applying ongoing harm, making it tactically similar to choosing Blight when you want impactful area or sustained damage.

  • Wall of Fire 4th-level evocation

    This fourth-level damage spell creates a damaging hazard at range and is a similar option when a caster wants strong firepower from the same spell tier as Blight.

  • Disintegrate 6th-level transmutation

    Although higher level, it mirrors Blight's ability to obliterate nonliving targets and delivers massive single-target damage at range, especially useful against objects or terrain.

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