Toll the Dead
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- Necromancy cantrip
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Cleric, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
You point at one creature you can see within range, and the single chime of a dolorous bell is audible within 10 feet of the target. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d8 Necrotic damage. If the target is missing any of its Hit Points, it instead takes 1d12 Necrotic damage.
Cantrip Upgrade. The damage increases by one die when you reach levels 5 (2d8 or 2d12), 11 (3d8 or 3d12), and 17 (4d8 or 4d12).
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- Necromancy cantrip
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Cleric, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything
You point at one creature you can see within range, and the sound of a dolorous bell fills the air around it for a moment. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d8 necrotic damage. If the target is missing any of its hit points, it instead takes 1d12 necrotic damage.
The spell's damage increases by one die when you reach 5th level (2d8 or 2d12), 11th level (3d8 or 3d12), and 17th level (4d8 or 4d12).
Cantrip Upgrade. This spell's damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8) and 17th level (4d8). This spell's damage to wounded creature increases by 1d12 when you reach 5th level (2d12), 11th level (3d12) and 17th level (4d12).
Toll the Dead 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Toll the Dead popularity
How popular is Toll the Dead? It is one of the most popular spells in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a proven favourite among spellcasters.
- Top 5% of all 5e spells
- Top 25% of all cantrips
- Top 25% picked Wizard cantrip
- Top 25% picked Warlock cantrip
- Bottom 25% picked Cleric cantrip
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Toll the Dead
Vicious Mockery Enchantment cantrip
It similarly targets one creature at 60 feet and deals damage when the target fails a saving throw.
Players prefer Vicious Mockery over Toll the Dead
Sacred Flame Evocation cantrip
Both are 60-foot damage cantrips requiring a saving throw and appear on the cleric spell list.
Players prefer Sacred Flame over Toll the Dead
Mind Sliver Enchantment cantrip
This is another ranged cantrip using a saving throw for immediate single-target damage, with substantial class-list overlap.
Players prefer Toll the Dead over Mind Sliver
Acid Splash Evocation cantrip
Although it can affect multiple nearby creatures, Acid Splash is also a 60-foot damage cantrip resolved with saving throws.
Players prefer Toll the Dead over Acid Splash
Frostbite Evocation cantrip
The spell shares Toll the Dead’s ranged, instantaneous, single-target saving-throw damage pattern at cantrip level.
Players prefer Toll the Dead over Frostbite
Sapping Sting Necromancy cantrip
Like Toll the Dead, it is a necromantic cantrip that deals necrotic damage through a Wisdom saving throw.
Players prefer Toll the Dead over Sapping Sting