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, up to 1 hour
Classes
Warlock

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 use 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+ (up to 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, up to 1 hour
Classes
Warlock

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 kept for up to 4 hours with a 2nd-level slot, in addition to the old longer durations at 3rd/4th and 5th+. The new version also no longer says a Remove Curse ends it early. The retargeting still uses a Bonus Action on a later turn.

Hex popularity

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

Spells similar to Hex

  • Hunter's Mark 1st-level divination

    Both are 1st-level single-target concentration spells that mark an enemy and let you deal extra damage to that target for up to an hour.

  • Bestow Curse 3rd-level necromancy

    This spell also places a lasting curse on a single creature that imposes a chosen penalty and can be sustained, making it thematically and mechanically similar.

  • Bane 1st-level enchantment

    Bane is a 1st-level concentration spell that weakens enemies' rolls and is used to control a fight in a similar supportive/debilitating way.

  • Witch Bolt 1st-level evocation

    Although it deals direct damage rather than imposing ability penalties, Witch Bolt is a concentration spell that locks onto a single target and rewards continued focus on that foe.

  • Compelled Duel 1st-level enchantment

    Both spells are 1st-level enchantments that force a target to become the focus of the caster and shape enemy behavior in combat.