Power Word Kill
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 9th-level enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
You compel one creature you can see within range to die. If the target has 100 Hit Points or fewer, it dies. Otherwise, it takes 12d12 Psychic damage.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 9th-level enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
You utter a word of power that can compel one creature you can see within range to die instantly. If the creature you choose has 100 hit points or fewer, it dies. Otherwise, the spell has no effect.
Power Word Kill 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
How popular is Power Word Kill in 5e?
Power Word Kill is the #1 most popular level 9 spell (of 23) and the #1 most picked level 9 Warlock spell (of 10).
Among level 9 spells, Power Word Kill ranks just above Foresight in popularity.
- #330 (of 567) most popular 5e spell
- #1 (of 23) most popular level 9 spell
- #1 (of 10) most picked level 9 Warlock spell
- #2 (of 19) most picked level 9 Wizard spell
- #2 (of 9) most picked level 9 Sorcerer spell
- #2 (of 7) most picked level 9 Bard spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Power Word Kill
Disintegrate 6th-level transmutation
Its 60-foot range, instantaneous resolution, single-target focus, and potentially fight-ending damage make it a close practical alternative.
Players prefer Power Word Kill over Disintegrate
Finger of Death 7th-level necromancy
A single creature within 60 feet takes immediate high-level damage from a spell designed to finish off a dangerous opponent, and several class lists overlap.
Players prefer Power Word Kill over Finger of Death
Befuddlement 8th-level enchantment
Both are eighth- or ninth-level Enchantment-adjacent attacks that affect a single distant creature instantly and use psychic magic to decisively remove or cripple a threat.
Players prefer Power Word Kill over Befuddlement
Power Word Stun 8th-level enchantment
It is another high-level Enchantment word spell targeting one creature at 60 feet with an instantaneous effect and the same bard, sorcerer, warlock, and wizard overlap.
Players prefer Power Word Kill over Power Word Stun
Psychic Scream 9th-level enchantment
The shared psychic damage, ninth-level Enchantment school, and nearly identical bard, sorcerer, warlock, and wizard lists create a strong thematic match despite its multi-target area.
Players prefer Power Word Kill over Psychic Scream
Time Ravage 9th-level necromancy
This ninth-level spell also delivers an instantaneous, single-target attack from substantial range, with exceptional power concentrated against one enemy.
Players prefer Power Word Kill over Time Ravage