Phantasmal Killer
Level 4 · Illusion
- Concentration
- Damage
- Save
- Buff
- Debuff
Listed under illusion, Phantasmal Killer costs a 4th-level slot for bard and wizard casters. Cast time: Action. Range 120 feet, components V/S, duration up to 1 minute. Marked concentration. Effect: You tap into the nightmares of a creature you can see within range and create an illusion of its deepest fears, visible only to that creature. At higher levels: The damage increases by 1d10 for each spell slot level above 4.
Stat Block
- Level
- 4
- School
- Illusion
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- up to 1 Minute
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Bard, Wizard
- Material
- —
Description
You tap into the nightmares of a creature you can see within range and create an illusion of its deepest fears, visible only to that creature. The target makes a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 4d10 Psychic damage and has Disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls for the duration. On a successful save, the target takes half as much damage, and the spell ends. For the duration, the target makes a Wisdom saving throw at the end of each of its turns. On a failed save, it takes the Psychic damage again. On a successful save, 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
The Illusion tradition is the school of the half-cast. Most Illusion spells leave room for the caster to add detail at the table: what does the figment do, what does it sound like, what does it look like up close. Phantasmal Killer is Illusion because the spell creates a perceptual fiction the target's senses report as real. At level 4, Phantasmal Killer sits in the high-mid slot range — tier-2 to early-tier-3 play.
Class Fit
- Bard: Bards rely on Bardic Inspiration for most action-economy boosts; Phantasmal Killer matters when Inspiration isn't the right tool for the moment. At 120 feet, Phantasmal Killer stays usable from the caster's typical positioning.
- Wizard: Arcane Recovery returns one or two slots on a short rest. Phantasmal Killer's slot cost is therefore not exactly what the slot column says. The concentration tag on Phantasmal Killer means a single failed Constitution save can end the effect mid-encounter.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Phantasmal Killer
- What level spell is Phantasmal Killer?
- Phantasmal Killer is a level 4 spell from the Illusion school. The classes that can prepare it: Bard, Wizard.
- How much damage does Phantasmal Killer deal?
- Phantasmal Killer deals 4d10 psychic damage as its base effect. Upcasting raises the dice count.
- What save does Phantasmal Killer require?
- Targets of Phantasmal Killer make a Wisdom saving throw against the caster's spell save DC. On a success, the spell's effect is reduced or negated; see the description for exact terms.
- What is the range of Phantasmal Killer?
- The range on Phantasmal Killer is 120 feet — far enough that most casters can stay clear of the front line.
- Is Phantasmal Killer a concentration spell?
- Concentration is required for Phantasmal Killer, with a maximum duration up to 1 minute. The concentration rules apply: one at a time, and Con saves on damage.
- What components and casting time does Phantasmal Killer need?
- For Phantasmal Killer: the spell uses V, S components, casting is a normal Action.