Vampiric Touch
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level necromancy
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, up to 1 minute
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
The touch of your shadow-wreathed hand can siphon life force from others to heal your wounds. Make a melee spell attack against one creature within reach. On a hit, the target takes 3d6 Necrotic damage, and you regain Hit Points equal to half the amount of Necrotic damage dealt.
Until the spell ends, you can make the attack again on each of your turns as a Magic action, targeting the same creature or a different one.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 3.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level necromancy
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Warlock, Wizard
The touch of your shadow-wreathed hand can siphon life force from others to heal your wounds. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within your reach. On a hit, the target takes 3d6 necrotic damage, and you regain hit points equal to half the amount of necrotic damage dealt. Until the spell ends, you can make the attack again on each of your turns as an action.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 3rd.
Vampiric Touch 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Vampiric Touch popularity
Vampiric Touch is a commonly chosen level 3 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.
- Top 50% level 3 Sorcerer spell
- Top 50% level 3 Warlock spell
- Top 50% level 3 Wizard spell
Spells similar to Vampiric Touch
Witch Bolt 1st-level evocation
Both create a sustained, single-target magical attack you can continue each turn while concentrating to deal recurring damage.
Inflict Wounds 1st-level necromancy
It’s a close-range necromancy spell that uses a melee touch attack to deal heavy necrotic damage in a single strike.
Chill Touch Necromancy cantrip
This is a necromancy touch attack that deals necrotic-themed damage at short range and shares the same grim flavor and class usage.
Shocking Grasp Evocation cantrip
Like Vampiric Touch it’s a melee touch spell attack intended for close combat, trading ranged casting for a reliable touch strike.
Armor of Agathys 1st-level abjuration
Although not an attack, it’s a defensive necromancy effect available to similar classes that converts magical effect into life-protecting and retaliatory benefit.