Hex

A
Control

Hex is a Control spell. Control spells restrict enemy options through debuffs or denial effects.

See all Control spells →
 curse that weakens one foe’s chosen skill and fuels extra necrotic damage, with
bonus action retargeting

Hex is a Action Economy spell. Action Economy spells grant you more choices on future turns.

See all Action Economy spells →
 when it falls.

2024 Rules
Level & School
1st-level enchantment
Casting Time
Bonus action
Range
90 feet
Components
V, S, M (the petrified eye of a newt)
Duration
Concentration, 1 hour
Classes
Warlock
Source
Player's Handbook (2024)

You place a curse on a creature that you can see within range. Until the spell ends, you deal an extra 1d6 Necrotic damage to the target whenever you hit it with an attack roll. Also, choose one ability when you cast the spell. The target has Disadvantage on ability checks made with the chosen ability.

If the target drops to 0 Hit Points before this spell ends, you can take a Bonus Action on a later turn to curse a new creature.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. Your Concentration can last longer with a spell slot of level 2 (up to 4 hours), 3-4 (up to 8 hours), or 5+ (24 hours).

2014 Rules
Level & School
1st-level enchantment
Casting Time
Bonus action
Range
90 feet
Components
V, S, M (the petrified eye of a newt)
Duration
Concentration, 1 hour
Classes
Warlock
Source
Player's Handbook (2014)

You place a curse on a creature that you can see within range. Until the spell ends, you deal an extra 1d6 necrotic damage to the target whenever you hit it with an attack. Also, choose one ability when you cast the spell. The target has disadvantage on ability checks made with the chosen ability.

If the target drops to 0 hit points before this spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn of yours to curse a new creature.

A remove curse cast on the target ends this spell early.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd or 4th level, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 8 hours. When you use a spell slot of 5th level or higher, you can maintain your concentration on the spell for up to 24 hours.

Hex 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Hex now can be maintained longer with a 2nd-level slot too: up to 4 hours at 2nd level, 8 hours at 3rd or 4th, and 24 hours at 5th or higher. The recasting after a cursed target drops to 0 HP is otherwise the same.

Hex popularity

How popular is Hex? It is a commonly found spell in the game, and is chosen above nearly all other options when available. This spell is a widely sought-after option.

Read about how this popularity data is calculated.

Spells similar to Hex