Eyebite
Level 6 · Necromancy
- Concentration
- Save
- Control
Eyebite is a necromancy spell at level 6, sitting on the bard, sorcerer, warlock, and wizard lists. Cast time: Action. Range Self, components V/S, duration up to 1 minute. Marked concentration. Effect: For the duration, your eyes become an inky void.
Stat Block
- Level
- 6
- School
- Necromancy
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- Self
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- up to 1 Minute
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Material
- —
Description
For the duration, your eyes become an inky void. One creature of your choice within 60 feet of you that you can see must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be affected by one of the following effects of your choice for the duration. On each of your turns until the spell ends, you can take a Magic action to target another creature but can't target a creature again if it has succeeded on a save against this casting of the spell.
The target has the Unconscious condition. It wakes up if it takes any damage or if another creature takes an action to shake it awake.
The target has the Frightened condition. On each of its turns, the Frightened target must take the Dash action and move away from you by the safest and shortest route available. If the target moves to a space at least 60 feet away from you where it can't see you, this effect ends.
The target has the Poisoned condition.
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 carries narrative weight whether the caster wants it or not. NPCs notice; the church notices; the dead notice. The Necromancy school is the right home for Eyebite thanks to the spell works on the boundary between life and death — draining, raising, or extending vitality. Spells of Eyebite's level usually shape an entire encounter, not a single round.
Class Fit
- Bard: A Charisma-focused Bard casts Eyebite at the spell-save DC for the build's primary stat; that DC is competitive at most tables. As a concentration spell, Eyebite occupies the caster's single concentration slot.
- Sorcerer: Twin Spell turns single-target spells into two-target spells; if Eyebite is single-target, Twin doubles its value. Eyebite's concentration requirement makes it vulnerable to a single failed save when the caster takes damage.
- Warlock: Eldritch Blast is the Warlock's default action. Eyebite only competes with Eldritch Blast if it does more than scale-damage to one target. The concentration tag on Eyebite means a single failed Constitution save can end the effect mid-encounter.
- Wizard: The Wizard's daily prep list is the class's flexibility lever — every long rest is a chance to reconsider what Eyebite is doing on the sheet. Damage taken while concentrating on Eyebite forces a Con save at DC 10 or half damage, whichever is higher.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Eyebite
- What level spell is Eyebite?
- The spell Eyebite is a level 6 spell in the Necromancy school. Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard all have access to it.
- What save does Eyebite require?
- Eyebite forces a Wisdom save. The DC is the caster's spell save DC (8 + proficiency + casting modifier).
- What is the range of Eyebite?
- The range on Eyebite is Self; no other creature can be the target.
- Is Eyebite a concentration spell?
- Yes — Eyebite requires concentration, lasting up to 1 minute. 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 Eyebite need?
- For Eyebite: the spell uses V, S components, casting is a normal Action.