Power Word Kill
Level 9 · Enchantment
- Damage
Carried by bard, sorcerer, warlock, and wizard, Power Word Kill operates at the 9th level of the enchantment school. Cast time: Action. Range 60 feet, components V, duration instantaneous. Effect: You compel one creature you can see within range to die.
Stat Block
- Level
- 9
- School
- Enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 60 feet
- Components
- V
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Material
- —
Description
You compel one creature you can see within range to die. If the target has 100 Hit Points or fewer, it dies. Otherwise, it takes 12d12 Psychic damage.
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
Enchantment is the school of mind-shaping. Charm, dominate, fear, hold, compel — Enchantment spells write a sentence into a target's intent and the target acts as if they had written it themselves. Power Word Kill reads as Enchantment because the spell rewrites a sentient creature's intent or perception. At Power Word Kill's level, a single cast can decide a fight or an arc.
Class Fit
- Bard: At the Bard table, Power Word Kill matters most when the College's signature features are on cooldown or out of charges. Otherwise the class has cheaper answers. At 60 feet, Power Word Kill stays usable from the caster's typical positioning.
- Sorcerer: Quicken Spell turns an Action into a Bonus Action; if Power Word Kill costs an Action, Quicken opens a two-spell turn. Power Word Kill reaches 60 feet, which lets the caster stay clear of the front line.
- Warlock: Eldritch Blast is the Warlock's default action. Power Word Kill only competes with Eldritch Blast if it does more than scale-damage to one target. 60 feet is enough range that Power Word Kill doesn't pull the caster forward.
- Wizard: Tier 3 and tier 4 Wizards add 5th-9th level spells to the book — Power Word Kill interacts with those upper-tier picks as part of a full prep loadout. The 60-foot range on Power Word Kill leaves room for the caster to stay in the back line.
Tactical play (Doungim editorial)
Any creature at 100 HP or less dies. No save. Best timing: after the boss has been hit a few rounds and is bloodied. Pair with Scry to know HP totals if your DM is loose with information.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Power Word Kill
- What level spell is Power Word Kill?
- Power Word Kill sits at level 9 in the Enchantment school of magic, prepared by Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard.
- How much damage does Power Word Kill deal?
- At base level, Power Word Kill's damage is 12d12 (psychic).
- What is the range of Power Word Kill?
- The range on Power Word Kill is 60 feet — far enough that most casters can stay clear of the front line.
- What components and casting time does Power Word Kill need?
- The cast: the cast needs V, taking the usual Action.