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 25% picked level 4 Sorcerer spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Sickening Radiance
Moonbeam 2nd-level evocation
Both create a persistent radiant area that repeatedly damages creatures entering it or starting their turns there while requiring Concentration.
Players prefer Moonbeam over Sickening Radiance
Cloudkill 5th-level conjuration
This is another long-lasting, concentration-based sphere that damages multiple creatures over successive turns and shapes where enemies can safely move.
Players prefer Cloudkill over Sickening Radiance
Insect Plague 5th-level conjuration
A large, ten-minute concentration area repeatedly harms groups of creatures and is chosen to deny an important section of the battlefield.
Players prefer Insect Plague over Sickening Radiance
Dawn 5th-level evocation
The spell projects damaging radiant light over time, making it a close thematic and tactical alternative despite its smaller area.
Players prefer Dawn over Sickening Radiance
Wall of Light 5th-level evocation
Both are high-range Evocation spells that maintain a large radiant hazard for several rounds and punish enemies who remain nearby.
Players prefer Sickening Radiance over Wall of Light
Spellfire Storm 4th-level evocation
It matches the target's level, spell school, caster overlap, radiant damage, and sustained area-based combat role.
Players prefer Sickening Radiance over Spellfire Storm