Death Ward
Level 4 · Abjuration
- Utility
Death Ward occupies the abjuration school at level 4, available to cleric and paladin. Cast time: Action. Range Touch, components V/S, duration 8 hours. Effect: You touch a creature and grant it a measure of protection from death.
Stat Block
- Level
- 4
- School
- Abjuration
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- Touch
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- 8 Hours
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Cleric, Paladin
- Material
- —
Description
You touch a creature and grant it a measure of protection from death. The first time the target would drop to 0 Hit Points before the spell ends, the target instead drops to 1 Hit Point, and the spell ends. If the spell is still in effect when the target is subjected to an effect that would kill it instantly without dealing damage, that effect is negated against the target, and the spell ends.
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
Abjurations are built around the word no. They raise wards, they break enchantments, they push attackers out of reach. Death Ward reads as Abjuration the moment a player sees what it does — the spell ends, prevents, or absorbs an effect that would otherwise land. Casting Death Ward at level 4 means giving up another high-value spell that turn — the slot is that scarce.
Class Fit
- Cleric: On a Cleric sheet, Death Ward competes with Bless, Spiritual Weapon, Spirit Guardians, and Healing Word for daily prep slots.
- Paladin: Paladins have a small prepared list. Death Ward only earns the slot if it does something Divine Smite cannot substitute for.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Death Ward
- What level spell is Death Ward?
- Death Ward is a level 4 spell from the Abjuration school. The classes that can prepare it: Cleric, Paladin.
- What is the range of Death Ward?
- Death Ward is cast via touch. The caster has to reach the target with a successful melee touch (if the target is unwilling).
- How long does Death Ward last?
- Death Ward lasts 8 hours. It does not require concentration, so the caster can run other concentration spells alongside it.
- What components and casting time does Death Ward need?
- Death ward is cast with v, s; casting takes one Action.