Hex
Level 1 · Enchantment
- Concentration
- Damage
- Buff
- Debuff
Hex occupies the enchantment school at level 1, available to warlock. Cast time: Bonus Action. Range 90 feet, components V/S/M, duration up to 1 hour. Material: the petrified eye of a newt. Marked concentration. Effect: You place a curse on a creature that you can see within range. At higher levels: Your Concentration can last longer with a spell slot of level 2 (up to 4 hours), 3-4 (up to 8 hours), or 5+ (up to 24 hours).
Stat Block
- Level
- 1
- School
- Enchantment
- Casting Time
- Bonus Action
- Range / Area
- 90 feet
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- up to 1 Hour
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Warlock
- Material
- the petrified eye of a newt
Description
You place a curse on a creature that you can see within range. Until the spell ends, you deal an extra 1d6 Necrotic damage to the target whenever you hit it with an attack roll. Also, choose one ability when you cast the spell. The target has Disadvantage on ability checks made with the chosen ability. If the target drops to 0 Hit Points before this spell ends, you can use a Bonus Action on a later turn to curse a new creature.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
Hex is Enchantment because the spell binds the caster's malice to a chosen target — a sentient creature feels its name, the curse fastens, and the caster's weapon and spell attacks against that target deal extra Necrotic damage. Enchantment is the school of mind-shaping; Hex shapes the caster's connection to the target as much as the target's mind.
Class Fit
- Warlock: Hex is the Warlock's core concentration spell from level 1 through most of tier 2. The Bonus Action cost pairs with the Action attack each turn. 1d6 extra Necrotic per Eldritch Blast bolt at high levels is the math the build is built around. Hex also imposes disadvantage on a chosen ability score's checks, which is occasionally useful for Strength or Stealth-based encounter setups.
Tactical play (Doungim editorial)
Warlock 1st-level spell. +1d6 damage per hit on a target plus disadvantage on a chosen ability check. Concentration. Transfers to a new target as a bonus action when the current target dies. The warlock's signature damage rider — combine with Eldritch Blast for sustained +4d6 per round at tier 3.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Hex
- What level spell is Hex?
- The spell Hex is a level 1 spell in the Enchantment school. Warlock all have access to it.
- How much damage does Hex deal?
- The damage roll on Hex is 1d6 of necrotic damage at base. Upcast slots add to that figure.
- What is the range of Hex?
- The range on Hex is 90 feet — far enough that most casters can stay clear of the front line.
- Is Hex a concentration spell?
- Yes — Hex requires concentration, lasting up to 1 hour. 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 Hex need?
- Note: Hex is cast with V, S, M. Beyond that — Material component: the petrified eye of a newt; the casting time is bonus action (not a standard Action).
- Can Hex be upcast?
- Upcasting Hex works as follows: Your Concentration can last longer with a spell slot of level 2 (up to 4 hours), 3-4 (up to 8 hours), or 5+ (up to 24 hours).