Life Transference
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level necromancy
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 30 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Cleric, Wizard
- Source
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything
You sacrifice some of your health to mend another creature's injuries. You take 4d8 necrotic damage, which can't be reduced in any way, and one creature of your choice that you can see within range regains a number of hit points equal to twice the necrotic damage you take.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 3rd.
Life Transference 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Life Transference is currently only available in the 2014 edition.
Life Transference popularity
How popular is Life Transference? It is a commonly found spell in the game, but is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may be situational for many spellbooks.
- Top 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 50% of all level 3 spells
- Bottom 50% picked level 3 Wizard spell
- Bottom 25% picked level 3 Cleric spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Life Transference
Heal 6th-level abjuration
Both deliver substantial instantaneous healing to a visible creature at range without requiring concentration.
Players prefer Heal over Life Transference
Mass Healing Word 3rd-level abjuration
It offers the same kind of immediate ranged recovery at the same spell level, trading greater healing for multiple targets.
Players prefer Mass Healing Word over Life Transference
Cure Wounds 1st-level abjuration
Both are direct, instantaneous ways to repair an ally's injuries, although this spell requires touch and does not cost the caster health.
Players prefer Cure Wounds over Life Transference
Healing Word 1st-level abjuration
As a ranged, instantaneous healing spell, it serves a similar emergency-support purpose despite restoring fewer hit points.
Players prefer Healing Word over Life Transference
Wither and Bloom 2nd-level necromancy
It combines necrotic damage with restoring an ally's hit points in a single instantaneous cast.
Players prefer Life Transference over Wither and Bloom
Tether Essence 7th-level necromancy
This necromantic spell also links harming one creature with healing another, though it lasts much longer and is a higher-level option.
Players prefer Life Transference over Tether Essence