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| Description |
Weapon (any sword), rare (requires attunement) Hit points lost to this weapon’s damage can be regained only through a short or long rest, rather than by regeneration, magic, or any other means. Once per turn, when you hit a creature with an attack using this magic weapon, you can wound the target. At the start of each of the wounded creature’s turns, it takes 1d4 necrotic damage for each time you’ve wounded it, and it can then make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, ending the effect of all such wounds on itself on a success. Alternatively, the wounded creature, or a creature within 5 feet of it, can use an action to make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check, ending the effect of such wounds on it on a success. |
|---|---|
| Source | Dungeon Master’s Guide 🛒 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Category | Weapon |
| Full rules | open5e.com ↗ |
The Sword of Wounding belongs to those magical weapons that send chills down the spines of even hardened adventurers. This sinister blade doesn’t just deal physical damage – it leaves lasting wounds that continuously weaken their victims and bring them to the brink of death.
A Tool for Cruel Tacticians
The Sword of Wounding is particularly suited for player characters who prefer a systematic and patient approach to combat. Fighters and Paladins benefit most from this weapon, as their high number of attacks per round allows them to optimally exploit the wounding effect. But Rangers or Rogues also find a deadly companion in this weapon.
The weapon’s true strength lies not in immediate damage, but in its ability to weaken opponents over multiple rounds. This makes it particularly effective against enemies with high hit points or strong regeneration.
Revolutionary Changes in the 2024 Version
The revision of the Sword of Wounding for the 2024 rules brought dramatic changes. While the original version used a cumulative damage mechanism where each wound caused an additional 1d4 necrotic damage per round, the new version takes a completely different approach.
The current version immediately deals 2d6 necrotic damage and prevents any healing for a full hour on a failed Constitution saving throw. This change makes the weapon much more predictable and in some ways even more cruel – because while the old wounding effect could be ended through medicine or a successful saving throw, the new effect lasts significantly longer.
Tactical Applications
The revised Sword of Wounding shines particularly in longer battles against single powerful enemies. The healing prevention makes it a devastating weapon against creatures with regeneration abilities or against opponents who rely on magical healing. Even in combat against multiple weaker enemies, the weapon can make the difference through its constant additional necrotic damage.
For Dungeon Masters, the Sword of Wounding offers interesting opportunities for building tension. As a reward in a grim dungeon or as an heirloom of a cursed bloodline, it fits perfectly into horror or gothic campaigns. The Dungeon Master’s Guide 🛒 offers further inspiration for using such thematically charged items.
However, consider that this weapon can shape the character of your campaign. A hero who systematically wounds their opponents to death slowly raises moral questions that can deepen roleplay. This makes the Sword of Wounding more than just a powerful magical item – it becomes a storyteller.
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).
