False Life
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 1st-level necromancy
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V, S, M (a drop of alcohol)
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Artificer, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
You gain 2d4 + 4 Temporary Hit Points.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. You gain 5 additional Temporary Hit Points for each spell slot level above 1.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 1st-level necromancy
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V, S, M (a small amount of alcohol or distilled spirits)
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Classes
- Artificer, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
Bolstering yourself with a necromantic facsimile of life, you gain 1d4 + 4 temporary hit points for the duration.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you gain 5 additional temporary hit points for each slot level above 1st.
False Life 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
False Life popularity
How popular is False Life? It is a commonly found spell in the game, but is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may be situational for many spellbooks.
- Top 25% of all 5e spells
- Top 50% picked level 1 Wizard spell
- Top 50% of all level 1 spells
- Top 50% picked level 1 Artificer spell
- Top 50% picked level 1 Sorcerer spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to False Life
Cure Wounds 1st-level abjuration
It fills the same basic survivability-support niche and is available to artificers, although it restores hit points rather than granting temporary ones.
Players prefer Cure Wounds over False Life
Armor of Agathys 1st-level abjuration
Both are first-level self-buffs that provide temporary hit points and help a vulnerable caster survive.
Players prefer Armor of Agathys over False Life
Shield 1st-level abjuration
Both offer immediate personal protection at first level, but Shield reacts to an attack instead of granting lasting hit-point padding.
Players prefer Shield over False Life
Heroism 1st-level enchantment
This spell also protects a creature with temporary hit points, though it requires concentration and has a broader supportive use.
Players prefer Heroism over False Life
Mage Armor 1st-level abjuration
Like False Life, it is a low-level personal defensive spell commonly chosen by artificers, sorcerers, and wizards.
Players prefer Mage Armor over False Life
Arcane Vigor 2nd-level abjuration
It is a self-targeted, instantaneous defensive boost with the same artificer, sorcerer, and wizard overlap.
Players prefer Arcane Vigor over False Life