Blight
Level 4 · Necromancy
- Damage
- Save
Carried by druid, sorcerer, warlock, and wizard, Blight operates at the 4th level of the necromancy school. Cast time: Action. Range 30 feet, components V/S, duration instantaneous. Effect: A creature that you can see within range makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 8d8 Necrotic damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. At higher levels: The damage increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 4.
Stat Block
- Level
- 4
- School
- Necromancy
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 30 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Material
- —
Description
A creature that you can see within range makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 8d8 Necrotic damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. A Plant creature automatically fails the save. Alternatively, target a nonmagical plant that isn't a creature, such as a tree or shrub. It doesn't make a save; it simply withers and dies.
5e (2014) vs 2024 changes
This spell has both a 5e (2014) and 2024 Player's Handbook version. Doungim shows the current 2024 stat block above. Differences between editions typically affect components, range, or scaling — check both source books for the table.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
Necromancy is the school of the boundary between life and death. Some spells push creatures across it; others bring back what was on the wrong side. Blight reads as Necromancy because the spell works on the boundary between life and death — draining, raising, or extending vitality. At level 4, Blight sits in the high-mid slot range — tier-2 to early-tier-3 play.
Class Fit
- Druid: At tier 2, Druids juggle Pass Without Trace, Conjure Animals, and Spike Growth for concentration; Blight fits in if it doesn't compete. The 30-foot range on Blight leaves room for the caster to stay in the back line.
- Sorcerer: Twin Spell turns single-target spells into two-target spells; if Blight is single-target, Twin doubles its value. Blight reaches 30 feet, which lets the caster stay clear of the front line.
- Warlock: Warlocks recover slots on short rests, so Blight is castable more times per day than a Wizard's equivalent — but only one or two between rests. Upcasting Blight changes the effect; the spell page lists the per-slot scaling.
- Wizard: At tier 1 Wizards have small prepared lists. Blight earns its place by either being always-relevant (Shield, Mage Armor) or by being the right answer to a known problem. The higher-level scaling on Blight is described in the spell text; check it before upcasting.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Blight
- What level spell is Blight?
- The spell Blight is a level 4 spell in the Necromancy school. Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard all have access to it.
- How much damage does Blight deal?
- On a base cast, Blight deals 8d8 necrotic damage. The damage scales when upcast — see the higher-level note.
- What save does Blight require?
- Blight forces a Constitution save. The DC is the caster's spell save DC (8 + proficiency + casting modifier).
- What is the range of Blight?
- The range on Blight is 30 feet — far enough that most casters can stay clear of the front line.
- What components and casting time does Blight need?
- To cast Blight: Blight is cast with V, S with a standard Action.
- Can Blight be upcast?
- Blight scales when upcast: The damage increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 4.