Finger of Death
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 7th-level necromancy
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
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
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
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
How popular is Finger of Death in 5e?
Finger of Death is the #5 most popular level 7 spell (of 32) and the #2 most picked level 7 Wizard spell (of 25).
Among level 7 spells, Finger of Death ranks just below Plane Shift and just above Prismatic Spray in popularity.
- #329 (of 567) most popular 5e spell
- #5 (of 32) most popular level 7 spell
- #2 (of 25) most picked level 7 Wizard spell
- #1 (of 9) most picked level 7 Warlock spell
- #2 (of 15) most picked level 7 Sorcerer spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Finger of Death
Power Word Kill 9th-level enchantment
Each spell is a top-tier, 60-foot single-target finisher designed to remove one enemy immediately.
Players prefer Power Word Kill over Finger of Death
Harm 6th-level necromancy
Both are high-level necrotic attacks with instantaneous effects, a 60-foot range, and a single living creature as the primary target.
Players prefer Finger of Death over Harm
Circle of Death 6th-level necromancy
Its necromantic necrotic damage and overlapping sorcerer, warlock, and wizard spell lists make it a close alternative for destructive casting.
Players prefer Finger of Death over Circle of Death
Blight 4th-level necromancy
Although weaker and shorter-ranged, it is another instantaneous necromancy spell that inflicts concentrated necrotic damage on one creature.
Players prefer Finger of Death over Blight
Time Ravage 9th-level necromancy
This shares the necromancy school, necrotic damage, instantaneous duration, and powerful single-target attack profile.
Players prefer Finger of Death over Time Ravage
Negative Energy Flood 5th-level necromancy
It is a necromantic spell for sorcerer-like casters that deals necrotic damage at 60 feet and can create an undead servant.
Players prefer Finger of Death over Negative Energy Flood