Chill Touch

A
Damage

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

See all Damage spells →
 spell that chills a foe with necrotic touch and prevents it from healing until your next turn.

2024 Rules
Level & School
Necromancy cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
Touch
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

Channeling the chill of the grave, make a melee spell attack against a target within reach. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 Necrotic damage, and it can't regain Hit Points until the end of your next turn.

Cantrip Upgrade. The damage increases by 1d10 when you reach levels 5 (2d10), 11 (3d10), and 17 (4d10).

2014 Rules
Level & School
Necromancy cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
120 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
1 round
Classes
Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

You create a ghostly, skeletal hand in the space of a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the creature to assail it with the chill of the grave. On a hit, the target takes 1d8 necrotic damage, and it can't regain hit points until the start of your next turn. Until then, the hand clings to the target.

If you hit an undead target, it also has disadvantage on attack rolls against you until the end of your next turn.

Cantrip Upgrade. This spell's damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).

Chill Touch 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Now a melee spell attack at Touch range instead of a ranged spell attack at 120 feet. Damage changes from 1d8 necrotic to 1d10 necrotic, and the anti-healing rider lasts until the end of your next turn. The undead disadvantage rider is gone.

Chill Touch popularity

Chill Touch is a commonly chosen cantrip. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Chill Touch

  • Shocking Grasp Evocation cantrip

    A touch-range cantrip that requires a melee spell attack and is often chosen for the same close-up damaging role.

  • Inflict Wounds 1st-level necromancy

    A higher-level necromancy touch spell that deals strong single-target necrotic damage and fills the same niche at greater power.

  • Toll the Dead Necromancy cantrip

    A necromancy cantrip that deals necrotic damage and is commonly used as a thematic alternative for single-target necrotic damage.

  • Vampiric Touch 3rd-level necromancy

    A necromancy spell that uses melee reach to deal necrotic damage and has a close-quarters, sustain-oriented interaction similar in flavor.

  • Poison Spray Necromancy cantrip

    A cantrip that, like Chill Touch, is a low-level offensive necromancy option focused on delivering damage at short range.

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