Finger of Death
Level 7 · Necromancy
- Save
Finger of Death (sorcerer, warlock, and wizard) casts from a 7th-level slot in the necromancy school. Cast time: Action. Range 60 feet, components V/S, duration instantaneous. Effect: You unleash negative energy toward a creature you can see within range.
Stat Block
- Level
- 7
- School
- Necromancy
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Material
- —
Description
You unleash negative energy toward a creature you can see within range. The target makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 7d8 + 30 Necrotic damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. A Humanoid killed by this spell rises at the start of your next turn as a Zombie that follows your verbal orders.
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 spell-school of consequence. The Animate Dead corpses come back when the party returns to town; the Raise Dead caster is remembered. Finger of Death is Necromancy because the spell works on the boundary between life and death — draining, raising, or extending vitality. The 7th-level slot is a once- or twice-per-day resource at most tables.
Class Fit
- Sorcerer: Sorcerers know very few spells. Finger of Death is a permanent decision — the spell stays on the sheet unless the Sorcerer pays a level-up swap. Finger of Death reaches 60 feet, which lets the caster stay clear of the front line.
- Warlock: Tier 1 Warlocks have a single slot; tier 2 have two. Finger of Death only earns its known-spell slot if the build casts it most short rests. At 60 feet, Finger of Death stays usable from the caster's typical positioning.
- Wizard: The Wizard's daily prep list is the class's flexibility lever — every long rest is a chance to reconsider what Finger of Death is doing on the sheet. The 60-foot range on Finger of Death leaves room for the caster to stay in the back line.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Finger of Death
- What level spell is Finger of Death?
- Finger of Death sits at level 7 in the Necromancy school of magic, prepared by Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard.
- What save does Finger of Death require?
- Finger of Death calls for a Constitution save against the caster's DC. Success conditions are described in the spell text.
- What is the range of Finger of Death?
- Finger of Death has a range of 60 feet from the caster.
- What components and casting time does Finger of Death need?
- Finger of Death requires V, S, on a standard one-action cast.