Circle of Death

A
Damage

Circle of Death is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that unleashes necrotic energy in a wide burst, striking
multiple creatures

Circle of Death 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 →
 at once.

2024 Rules
Level & School
6th-level necromancy
Casting Time
Action
Range
150 feet
Components
V, S, M (the powder of a crushed black pearl worth 500+ GP)
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

Negative energy ripples out in a 60-foot-radius Sphere from a point you choose within range. Each creature in that area makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 8d8 Necrotic damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 2d8 for each spell slot level above 6.

2014 Rules
Level & School
6th-level necromancy
Casting Time
Action
Range
150 feet
Components
V, S, M (the powder of a crushed black pearl worth at least 500 gp)
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

A sphere of negative energy ripples out in a 60-foot radius sphere from a point within range. Each creature in that area must make a Constitution saving throw. A target takes 8d6 necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 7th level or higher, the damage increases by 2d6 for each slot level above 6th.

Circle of Death 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

It now deals 8d8 necrotic damage instead of 8d6, and its upcast damage increases by 2d8 per slot level above 6th instead of 2d6.

Spells similar to Circle of Death

  • Harm 6th-level necromancy

    It's the same spell level and school and deals a large chunk of negative-energy damage at range, making it the closest single-target analogue to this powerful necromantic strike.

  • Chain Lightning 6th-level evocation

    A level-6 evocation that hits multiple targets at long range for heavy damage, so players pick it in the same tactical slot when they need high single-turn damage against several foes.

  • Otiluke's Freezing Sphere 6th-level evocation

    This level-6 area-damage spell creates a large damaging effect at range and scales as a powerful one-off burst, matching Circle of Death's role as a big instant AoE.

  • Sunbeam 6th-level evocation

    Also a level-6 option that can damage multiple enemies using a radiant beam over multiple rounds, making it a similar high-level choice for area damage from the wizard/sorcerer list.

  • Blade Barrier 6th-level evocation

    A level-6 area-focused damage spell that shapes the battlefield and deals substantial damage to creatures inside it, filling a comparable tactical niche.