Cloudkill
Level 5 · Conjuration
- Concentration
- Damage
- Save
- AOE
Cloudkill (sorcerer and wizard) casts from a 5th-level slot in the conjuration school. Cast time: Action. Range 120 feet, components V/S, duration up to 10 minutes. Marked concentration. Effect: You create a 20-foot-radius Sphere of yellow-green fog centered on a point within range. At higher levels: The damage increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 5.
Stat Block
- Level
- 5
- School
- Conjuration
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 120 feet (20-foot radius sphere)
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- up to 10 minutes
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Material
- —
Description
You create a 20-foot-radius Sphere of yellow-green fog centered on a point within range. The fog lasts for the duration or until strong wind (such as the one created by Gust of Wind) disperses it, ending the spell. Its area is Heavily Obscured. Each creature in the Sphere makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 5d8 Poison damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature must also make this save when the Sphere moves into its space and when it enters the Sphere or ends its turn there. A creature makes this save only once per turn. The Sphere moves 10 feet away from you at the start of each of your turns.
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 Conjuration tradition is for casters who think one step ahead — a wall of fog before the ambush, a horse before the long ride, a familiar before the dungeon. The school tag on Cloudkill is obvious from the effect — the spell places matter or creatures into the world that were not there before the cast. The 5th-level slot is precious; Cloudkill earns its slot or doesn't.
Class Fit
- Sorcerer: Quicken Spell turns an Action into a Bonus Action; if Cloudkill costs an Action, Quicken opens a two-spell turn. Cloudkill reaches 120 feet, which lets the caster stay clear of the front line.
- Wizard: The Wizard's daily prep list is the class's flexibility lever — every long rest is a chance to reconsider what Cloudkill is doing on the sheet. Cloudkill scales when upcast — see the higher-level note on the spell page.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Cloudkill
- What level spell is Cloudkill?
- Cloudkill is a level 5 spell from the Conjuration school. The classes that can prepare it: Sorcerer, Wizard.
- How much damage does Cloudkill deal?
- At base level, Cloudkill's damage is 5d8 (poison). Higher slots increase the damage as listed.
- What save does Cloudkill require?
- Targets of Cloudkill make a Constitution saving throw against the caster's spell save DC. On a success, the spell's effect is reduced or negated; see the description for exact terms.
- What is the range of Cloudkill?
- Cloudkill can target a point or creature within 120 feet of the caster.
- Is Cloudkill a concentration spell?
- Yes — Cloudkill requires concentration, lasting up to 10 minutes. Casting another concentration spell ends this one; damage taken triggers a Constitution save (DC 10 or half the damage, whichever is higher) to maintain it.
- What components and casting time does Cloudkill need?
- The spell uses v, s components; casting takes one Action.