Hellish Rebuke

A
Damage

Hellish Rebuke is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell of
retaliatory flames

Hellish Rebuke is a Retaliation spell. Retaliation spells hurt or negatively impact attackers.

See all Retaliation spells →
 that sears a foe who strikes you, blasting it with green fire in a burst of vengeance.

2024 Rules
Level & School
1st-level evocation
Casting Time
Reaction, which you take in response to taking damage from a creature that you can see within 60 feet of yourself
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Warlock

The creature that damaged you is momentarily surrounded by green flames. It makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 2d10 Fire damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d10 for each spell slot level above 1.

2014 Rules
Level & School
1st-level evocation
Casting Time
Reaction
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Warlock

You point your finger, and the creature that damaged you is momentarily surrounded by hellish flames. The creature must make a Dexterity saving throw. It takes 2d10 fire 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 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each slot level above 1st.

Hellish Rebuke 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Effectively the same spell. The 2024 version is reworded but functions identically.

Hellish Rebuke popularity

Hellish Rebuke is a commonly chosen level 1 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Hellish Rebuke

  • Armor of Agathys 1st-level abjuration

    Both are 1st-level warlock options that punish attackers with cold/fire damage as a reactive form of defense.

  • Backlash 4th-level abjuration

    This spell also delivers damage in response to being harmed and serves as a retaliatory effect from a distance.

  • Death Armor 2nd-level necromancy

    Like the target, it creates a defensive effect that harms enemies who strike you, making it a similar revenge-style choice.

  • Fire Shield 4th-level evocation

    It produces elemental flames that hurt attackers as a protective reaction, matching the thematic and tactical purpose of retaliation.

  • Fount of Moonlight 4th-level evocation

    Although higher level, it explicitly lists a retaliatory effect and so functions similarly as a spell that damages foes in response.