Chill Touch
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- Necromancy cantrip
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Touch
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
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
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
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
Chill Touch popularity
How popular is Chill Touch? It is one of the most popular spells in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a proven favourite among spellcasters.
- Top 10% of all 5e spells
- Top 50% of all cantrips
- Top 50% picked Wizard cantrip
- Top 50% picked Sorcerer cantrip
- Top 50% picked Warlock cantrip
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Chill Touch
Eldritch Blast Evocation cantrip
It fills the same basic role as a scaling single-target attack cantrip for warlocks, although its range and force damage make it more versatile.
Players prefer Eldritch Blast over Chill Touch
Inflict Wounds 1st-level necromancy
Both spells deliver immediate necrotic damage at touch range, with Inflict Wounds serving as the leveled, higher-impact counterpart.
Players prefer Inflict Wounds over Chill Touch
Ray of Frost Evocation cantrip
The two are attack-roll cantrips for sorcerers and wizards that deal damage instantly while imposing a useful secondary combat limitation.
Players prefer Ray of Frost over Chill Touch
Toll the Dead Necromancy cantrip
It is also a necrotic damage cantrip with overlapping warlock and wizard access, though it uses a saving throw instead of a melee attack.
Players prefer Toll the Dead over Chill Touch
Shocking Grasp Evocation cantrip
Like Chill Touch, it is a cantrip requiring a melee spell attack against a nearby creature for instantaneous damage.
Players prefer Chill Touch over Shocking Grasp
Sapping Sting Necromancy cantrip
This necromancy cantrip likewise deals necrotic damage and adds a debilitating combat effect, making it a close thematic and tactical match.
Players prefer Chill Touch over Sapping Sting