Phantasmal Killer

A
Damage

Phantasmal Killer is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that haunts one creature with its worst nightmares, sapping its mind and striking again as fear keeps hold.

2024 Rules
Level & School
4th-level illusion
Casting Time
Action
Range
120 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Wizard

You tap into the nightmares of a creature you can see within range and create an illusion of its deepest fears, visible only to that creature. The target makes a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 4d10 Psychic damage and has Disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls for the duration. On a successful save, the target takes half as much damage, and the spell ends.

For the duration, the target makes a Wisdom saving throw at the end of each of its turns. On a failed save, it takes the Psychic damage again. On a successful save, the spell ends.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d10 for each spell slot level above 4.

2014 Rules
Level & School
4th-level illusion
Casting Time
Action
Range
120 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Concentration, 1 minute
Classes
Wizard

You tap into the nightmares of a creature you can see within range and create an illusory manifestation of its deepest fears, visible only to that creature. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target becomes frightened for the duration. At the end of each of the target's turns before the spell ends, the target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 4d10 psychic damage. On a successful save, the spell ends.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each slot level above 4th.

Phantasmal Killer 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

On a failed save, it now deals 4d10 psychic damage right away and gives disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls, instead of frightening the target. A successful initial save now deals half damage instead of none. The recurring save is now only for repeat damage. Now also available to bards.

Phantasmal Killer popularity

Phantasmal Killer is a commonly chosen level 4 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Phantasmal Killer

  • Phantasmal Force 2nd-level illusion

    Both are illusion spells that create a personalized hallucination targeting a single creature and can impose ongoing effects that the target can shake off with repeated saves.

  • Weird 9th-level illusion

    This is a higher-level illusion that, like the target spell, uses terrifying mental imagery to deal psychic harm and force repeated saving throws over the spell's duration.

  • Dissonant Whispers 1st-level enchantment

    Both are bard/wizard-accessible spells that inflict psychic damage and impose immediate penalties tied to the victim's fear and confusion.

  • Fear 3rd-level illusion

    Fear creates overwhelming terror with an area effect and repeated saves while active, making it similar in purpose and playstyle to scaring a foe into suffering consequences over time.

  • Mind Spike 2nd-level divination

    Although a divination cantrip-level option, it deals psychic damage at range and has a lingering tracking/pressure fantasy similar to single-target mind-affecting attacks.