Circle of Death
Level 6 · Necromancy
- Damage
- Save
- AOE
Circle of Death (sorcerer, warlock, and wizard) casts from a 6th-level slot in the necromancy school. Cast time: Action. Range 150 feet, components V/S/M, duration instantaneous. Material: the powder of a crushed black pearl worth 500+ GP. Effect: Negative energy ripples out in a 60-foot-radius Sphere from a point you choose within range. At higher levels: The damage increases by 2d8 for each spell slot level above 6.
Stat Block
- Level
- 6
- School
- Necromancy
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 150 feet (60-foot radius sphere)
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Material
- the powder of a crushed black pearl worth 500+ GP
Description
Negative energy ripples out in a 60-foot-radius Sphere from a point you choose within range. Each creature in that area makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 8d8 Necrotic damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
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
The Necromancy tradition has two sides: harm and persistence. Harm-Necromancy drains life from a target; persistence-Necromancy refuses to let life end. Circle of Death reads as Necromancy because the spell works on the boundary between life and death — draining, raising, or extending vitality. Level-6 slots are rare; Circle of Death earns its cast when the fight truly needs it.
Class Fit
- Sorcerer: Metamagic is the angle for Circle of Death on a Sorcerer. Twin, Quicken, Subtle, Heightened, and Extended each change what the spell does at the table. The 150-foot range on Circle of Death leaves room for the caster to stay in the back line.
- Warlock: Warlocks recover slots on short rests, so Circle of Death is castable more times per day than a Wizard's equivalent — but only one or two between rests. 150 feet is enough range that Circle of Death doesn't pull the caster forward.
- Wizard: Once Circle of Death is in the spellbook the cost is gold-and-ritual-time at acquisition; from then on the daily prep decision is free. Upcasting Circle of Death changes the effect; the spell page lists the per-slot scaling.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Circle of Death
- What level spell is Circle of Death?
- In D&D 5e, Circle of Death is classified as a level 6 spell of the Necromancy school. Available classes: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard.
- How much damage does Circle of Death deal?
- Circle of Death deals 8d8 necrotic damage as its base effect. Upcasting raises the dice count.
- What save does Circle of Death require?
- Circle of Death forces a Constitution save. The DC is the caster's spell save DC (8 + proficiency + casting modifier).
- What is the range of Circle of Death?
- From the caster's position, Circle of Death reaches 150 feet.
- What components and casting time does Circle of Death need?
- Note: the cast needs V, S, M. Beyond that — Material component: the powder of a crushed black pearl worth 500+ GP.
- Can Circle of Death be upcast?
- Yes — The damage increases by 2d8 for each spell slot level above 6.