Sickening Radiance
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 4th-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, 10 minutes
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything
Dim, greenish light spreads within a 30-foot-radius sphere centered on a point you choose within range. The light spreads around corners, and it lasts until the spell ends.
When a creature moves into the spell's area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there, that creature must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or take 4d10 radiant damage, and it suffers one level of exhaustion and emits a dim, greenish light in a 5-foot radius. This light makes it impossible for the creature to benefit from being invisible. The light and any levels of exhaustion caused by this spell go away when the spell ends.
Sickening Radiance 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Sickening Radiance is currently only available in the 2014 edition.
Sickening Radiance popularity
How popular is Sickening Radiance? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, and is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may fill a specific niche for a spellbook.
- Bottom 50% of all level 4 spells
- Bottom 50% picked level 4 Warlock spell
- Bottom 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 50% picked level 4 Wizard spell
- Bottom 50% picked level 4 Sorcerer spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Sickening Radiance
Hunger of Hadar 3rd-level conjuration
It traps enemies in an area that hurts them every turn and makes the space itself miserable to cross.
Players prefer Hunger of Hadar over Sickening Radiance
Moonbeam 2nd-level evocation
This one also keeps a damaging area active over time and hits creatures that start their turn in the danger zone.
Players prefer Moonbeam over Sickening Radiance
Spirit Guardians 3rd-level conjuration
Like Sickening Radiance, it’s a sustained area effect that damages nearby creatures repeatedly as they move or linger.
Players prefer Spirit Guardians over Sickening Radiance
Wall of Fire 4th-level evocation
Both are concentration spells that turn part of the battlefield into a damaging hazard and force enemies to think twice about movement.
Players prefer Wall of Fire over Sickening Radiance
Cloudkill 5th-level conjuration
It creates a lingering cloud that punishes creatures for staying in one spot, so it plays very much like a hazardous zone spell.
Players prefer Cloudkill over Sickening Radiance