Cloudkill
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 5th-level conjuration
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, up to 10 minutes
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
You create a 20-foot-radius Sphere of yellow-green fog centered on a point within range. The fog lasts for the duration or until strong wind (such as the one created by Gust of Wind) disperses it, ending the spell. Its area is Heavily Obscured.
Each creature in the Sphere makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 5d8 Poison damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature must also make this save when the Sphere moves into its space and when it enters the Sphere or ends its turn there. A creature makes this save only once per turn.
The Sphere moves 10 feet away from you at the start of each of your turns.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 5.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 5th-level conjuration
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, 10 minutes
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
You create a 20-foot radius sphere of poisonous, yellow-green fog centered on a point you choose within range. The fog spreads around corners. It lasts for the duration or until strong wind disperses the fog, ending the spell. Its area is heavily obscured.
When a creature enters the spell's area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there, that creature must make a Constitution saving throw. The creature takes 5d8 poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. Creatures are affected even if they hold their breath or don't need to breathe.
The fog moves 10 feet away from you at the start of each of your turns, rolling along the surface of the ground. The vapors, being heavier than air, sink to the lowest level of the land, even pouring down openings.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 6th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 5th.
Cloudkill 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Cloudkill popularity
How popular is Cloudkill? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, but is often chosen over other options when available. This spell could be a valuable addition for spellbooks.
- Top 50% picked level 5 Wizard spell
- Top 50% picked level 5 Sorcerer spell
- Top 50% of all level 5 spells
- Bottom 50% of all 5e spells
Spells similar to Cloudkill
Stinking Cloud 3rd-level conjuration
It creates a lingering, obscuring conjured cloud that forces repeated Constitution saves and controls space much like this spell does.
Insect Plague 5th-level conjuration
This is a same‑level conjuration that creates a damaging area that lasts, forces repeated saves, and reshapes the battlefield over multiple rounds.
Incendiary Cloud 8th-level conjuration
A moving, sustained damaging cloud that affects an area over time makes it a close thematic and tactical analogue at a different power tier.
Flaming Sphere 2nd-level conjuration
Though smaller, it is a conjured, movable source of ongoing damage you steer to shape the fight and hit multiple foes over several turns.
Wall of Fire 4th-level evocation
This creates a persistent damaging zone that controls movement and punishes enemies who enter or end their turn inside it, serving a similar battlefield role.