Hunter's Mark
Level 1 · Divination
- Concentration
- Damage
- Buff
A 1st-level spell in the divination school, Hunter's Mark appears on the ranger list. Cast time: Bonus Action. Range 90 feet, components V, duration up to 1 hour. Marked concentration. Effect: You magically mark one creature you can see within range as your quarry. At higher levels: Your Concentration can last longer with a spell slot of level 3-4 (up to 8 hours) or 5+ (up to 24 hours).
Stat Block
- Level
- 1
- School
- Divination
- Casting Time
- Bonus Action
- Range / Area
- 90 feet
- Components
- V
- Duration
- up to 1 Hour
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Ranger
- Material
- —
Description
You magically mark one creature you can see within range as your quarry. Until the spell ends, you deal an extra 1d6 Force damage to the target whenever you hit it with an attack roll. You also have Advantage on any Wisdom (Perception or Survival) check you make to find it. If the target drops to 0 Hit Points before this spell ends, you can use a Bonus Action to mark a new creature you can see within range.
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
Divination magic competes with skill checks. Where Perception, Investigation, and Insight reach, a Divination spell can reach further. Hunter's Mark is Divination because the spell answers a question the caster could not otherwise reach. The 1st-level slot is the most-cast slot of tier 1 — Hunter's Mark earns its place there or somewhere else.
Class Fit
- Ranger: Gloom Stalker, Hunter, Fey Wanderer, Drakewarden, and Horizon Walker each shape what Hunter's Mark is worth: subclass-bonus spells reshape the known-spell budget. As a concentration spell, Hunter's Mark occupies the caster's single concentration slot.
Tactical play (Doungim editorial)
Ranger 1st-level spell. +1d6 damage to all attacks against a chosen target. Concentration. Transfers to a new target as a bonus action when the current target dies. The ranger's go-to single-target damage buff for tier 1 and tier 2.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Hunter's Mark
- What level spell is Hunter's Mark?
- Hunter's Mark sits at level 1 in the Divination school of magic, prepared by Ranger.
- How much damage does Hunter's Mark deal?
- Hunter's Mark deals 1d6 force damage as its base effect. Upcasting raises the dice count.
- What is the range of Hunter's Mark?
- From the caster's position, Hunter's Mark reaches 90 feet.
- Is Hunter's Mark a concentration spell?
- Concentration is required for Hunter's Mark, with a maximum duration up to 1 hour. The concentration rules apply: one at a time, and Con saves on damage.
- What components and casting time does Hunter's Mark need?
- For Hunter's Mark: Hunter's Mark requires V; on top of that, the casting time is bonus action (not a standard Action).
- Can Hunter's Mark be upcast?
- Hunter's Mark scales when upcast: Your Concentration can last longer with a spell slot of level 3-4 (up to 8 hours) or 5+ (up to 24 hours).