Finger of Death

A
Damage

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

See all Damage spells →
 spell that blasts a foe with necrotic power, and if it slays a humanoid,
raises a zombie

Finger of Death is a Summoning spell. Summoning spells create new allies.

See all Summoning spells →
 to obey your command.

2024 Rules
Level & School
7th-level necromancy
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

You unleash negative energy toward a creature you can see within range. The target makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 7d8 + 30 Necrotic damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

A Humanoid killed by this spell rises at the start of your next turn as a Zombie that follows your verbal orders.

2014 Rules
Level & School
7th-level necromancy
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

You send negative energy coursing through a creature that you can see within range, causing it searing pain. The target must make a Constitution saving throw. It takes 7d8 + 30 necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

A humanoid killed by this spell rises at the start of your next turn as a zombie that is permanently under your command, following your verbal orders to the best of its ability.

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

The zombie no longer says it’s permanently under your command; it now just follows your verbal orders. That’s the only real mechanical change.

Spells similar to Finger of Death

  • Harm 6th-level necromancy

    A high-level necromancy spell that deals a huge burst of necrotic damage to a single creature at range, making it a close functional analogue.

  • Power Word Kill 9th-level enchantment

    Both are high-tier finishers that can outright remove a creature and are chosen when you want a decisive, lethal effect.

  • Create Undead 6th-level necromancy

    It shares the undead-creation angle, turning victims or constructs into servants as part of a necromancer’s toolkit.

  • Disintegrate 6th-level transmutation

    This spell is a single-target, high-damage finisher at a similar power tier and is often picked for killing or incapacitating tough foes.

  • Circle of Death 6th-level necromancy

    A necromantic burst that deals large necrotic damage to multiple targets, serving a similar damage-first combat role but on an area scale.

Finger of Death is featured in