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| Description |
You utter a word of power that can compel one creature you can see within range to die instantly. If the creature you choose has 100 hit points or fewer, it dies. Otherwise, the spell has no effect. |
|---|---|
| Source | Player’s Handbook 🛒 |
| Level | 9 |
| School | Enchantment |
| Casting Time | 1 action |
| Range | 60 feet |
| Components | V |
| Duration | Instantaneous |
| Concentration | No |
| Ritual | No |
| Classes | Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard |
| Full rules | open5e.com ↗ |
There are few spells in Dungeons & Dragons that are as terrifying and final as Power Word Kill. As a 9th-level spell from the school of enchantment, it belongs to the most powerful tools available to spellcasters. With a single spoken word, this spell can end a creature’s life – provided the circumstances are right.
The Deadly Simplicity
What makes Power Word Kill so special is its brutal directness. Unlike other deadly spells, there is no saving throw, no resistance check, and no possibility of defense. If the target creature has 100 hit points or fewer, it dies instantly. Period. This inevitability makes the spell one of the most dangerous weapons in the arsenal of experienced sorcerers, bards, warlocks, and wizards.
The spell requires only a verbal component – a single power word spoken with such force that it extinguishes the target creature’s life. This simplicity in application stands in stark contrast to its dramatic effect.
Strategic Use at the Table
For players, Power Word Kill is a spell for critical moments. Since it consumes a 9th-level spell slot – the highest available level – its use must be well-considered. It’s excellent for quickly eliminating wounded but still dangerous enemies without the risk of a failed attack roll or successful saving throw.
The spell is particularly effective against enemies that normally have high saving throws or are resistant to certain damage types. A dragon with only 80 hit points left? One word, and the fight is over. The 60-foot range allows you to act from a safe distance.
The Pitfalls of the Power Word
Despite its power, Power Word Kill has clear weaknesses. The 100 hit point limit means the spell is ineffective against many high-level enemies. An opponent with 101 hit points simply laughs off the power word. This uncertainty – you never know exactly how many hit points the enemy has left – makes the spell a gamble.
Additionally, the spell doesn’t work against undead, constructs, or other creatures that are immune to the “charmed” condition, since Power Word Kill belongs to the school of enchantment.
For the Dungeon Master
As a Dungeon Master, you should use Power Word Kill sparingly. NPC spellcasters with this spell can eliminate player characters without warning, which can lead to frustration. If you use it, give the players fair warning – perhaps through descriptions of the enemy’s power or hints in the environment.
The Player’s Handbook 🛒 offers further details on this and other highest-level spells that can fundamentally change the power balance in your campaign.
Power Word Kill embodies the raw, uncontrollable power of magic in D&D – a spell that decides over life and death with a single word.
This article was created using AI, based on data from the 5e-database project (D&D 5e System Reference Document, licensed under CC BY 4.0).
