The Power of Necromancy: Unleashing the Undead in Dungeons & Dragons 🧟‍♂️

Necromancers are a valuable addition to any D&D group. Every Necromancer should be familiar with these five 5e spells.

Best 24 Necromancy Spells in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition

Introduction

Are you ready to delve into the dangerous world of necromancy in Dungeons & Dragons? Grab your robe and staff, because we’re about to explore the dark and deadly spells that make necromancy one of the most intriguing schools of magic. From manipulating life and death to raising armies of the undead, necromancers are a force to be reckoned with. In this article, we’ll delve into some of the most powerful necromancy spells and why they can turn the tide of any battle. So, brace yourself for a bone-chilling adventure!

💀 Chapter 1: Unveiling the Necromancer’s Arsenal 💀

Necromancy spells in Dungeons & Dragons can be both a curse and a blessing. They can save lives, drain the life force from enemies, and wreak havoc on the battlefield. With so few creatures resistant to necrotic damage, these spells can deal devastating amounts of pain. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most formidable necromancy spells.

🕳️ 23 Blindness/Deafness 🕳️

🤔 Remove a Valuable Sense From a Foe 🤔

NieR Automata - YoRHa No 2 Type B and Pod 042

Classes: Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, and Wizard Duration: 1 minute Components: Verbal Spell Level: 2nd

In combat, having all your senses intact is crucial for effective attacks and avoiding incoming blows. Blindness/Deafness allows players to temporarily render an enemy either blind or deaf. Imagine the chaos it can cause when your foe is stumbling around in the dark or unable to hear your impending attacks. It’s a spell that can turn the tides of battle in your favor.

💥 22 Ray of Sickness 💥

🤔 The Potential to Poison 🤔

D&D dragon poison spell

Classes: Sorcerer and Wizard Duration: Instantaneous Components: Verbal and Somatic Spell Level: 1st

Don’t let the simplicity of its name fool you. Ray of Sickness is a must-have for any aspiring necromancer. Not only does it deal a decent amount of damage, but it also has a chance to poison the target. A successful poison can significantly debilitate the enemy, giving you an advantage in battles. Watch your foes squirm as the poison weakens their attacks and abilities.

💪 21 False Life 💪

🤔 Extra Health 🤔

Baldur’s Gate 3 False Life spell card

Classes: Artificer, Sorcerer, and Wizard Duration: Instantaneous Components: Verbal, Somatic, and Material (a small amount of alcohol or distilled spirits) Spell Level: 1st

In the world of Dungeons & Dragons, staying alive is not always an easy task. False Life provides necromancers with a much-needed boost in survivability. By casting this spell, you can give yourself temporary hit points, providing a buffer against deadly blows. The higher your level, the more temporary hit points you gain. It’s a spell that every necromancer should keep in their arsenal for those epic battles.

🌑 20 Shadow of Moil 🌑

🤔 Provides Protection and Damage 🤔

Necromancer

Classes: Warlock Duration: Up to 1 minute Components: Verbal, Somatic, and Material (an undead eyeball encased in a gem worth at least 150gp) Spell Level: 4th

While most spells focus on either harm or protection, Shadow of Moil does both. By enveloping yourself in protective shadows, you gain resistance to radiant damage while dealing necrotic damage to any foes within 10 feet. It’s a perfect spell for countering enemies that deal radiant damage, giving you both defense and offense in one wicked package.

⚔️ 19 Harm ⚔️

🤔 Hit Points Reduction 🤔

Gale Baldur’s Gate 3 magic

Classes: Cleric Duration: Instantaneous Components: Verbal and Somatic Spell Level: 6th

As its name suggests, Harm does exactly what it promises. It inflicts a massive amount of damage on its target. This powerful spell can deal up to 14d6 points of necrotic damage, reducing the target’s maximum hit points for an hour. So not only will your enemies suffer a significant blow, but they’ll also find it harder to recover, making their defeat all the more certain.

☠️ 18 Abi-Dalzim’s Horrid Wilting ☠️

🤔 AOE Damage 🤔

Princes of the Apocalypse official cover art

Classes: Sorcerer, Wizard, and Arcane Cleric Duration: Instantaneous Components: Verbal, Somatic, and Material (a bit of sponge) Spell Level: 8th

Prepare to unleash devastation with Abi-Dalzim’s Horrid Wilting. This spell unleashes massive damage in a 30-foot cube, leaving destruction in its wake. Any creatures caught within the area must face a Constitution saving throw or take a whopping 12d8 points of necrotic damage. The power of this spell is so intense that any nearby plants will wither and die. It’s a true Necromancer’s delight!

🌿 17 Wither and Bloom 🌿

🤔 Healing and Hurting 🤔

A woman with green skin and plant-like hair casts a spell of green energy.

Classes: Druid, Sorcerer, and Wizard Duration: Instantaneous Components: Verbal, Somatic, and Material (a withered vine twisted into a loop) Spell Level: 2nd

With Wither and Bloom, you have the power to both hurt and heal. This unique necromancy spell channels necrotic energy into a 10-foot-radius sphere, damaging creatures within its reach. But here’s the twist: while hurting others, you can also heal yourself. By spending one hit dice, you can recover hit points based on the roll. It’s a spell that perfectly balances the forces of life and death.

⚡ 16 Negative Energy Flood ⚡

🤔 Raises What It Kills 🤔

A caster wearing dark, skeletal armor casts a spell of swirling black energy that enters the bodies surrounding him.

Classes: Warlock and Wizard Duration: Instantaneous Components: Verbal and Material (a broken bone and a square of black silk) Spell Level: 5th

Why settle for just causing damage when you can create your own undead minions? Negative Energy Flood is a spell that deals 5d12 points of necrotic damage to a target. If the target perishes due to the spell, it will rise as a zombie and attack the nearest target. However, be cautious not to use this spell against enemy undead, as it will only strengthen them with temporary hit points. It’s a true test of your control over death itself.

💀 15 Create Undead 💀

🤔 Create Minions 🤔

A powerful caster commanding their army of undead.

Classes: Cleric, Warlock, and Wizard Duration: Instantaneous Components: Verbal, Somatic, and Material (One clay pot filled with grave dirt, one clay pot filled with brackish water, and one 150 gp black onyx stone for each corpse) Spell Level: 6th

For those who crave classical necromantic prowess, Create Undead is the spell for you. This powerful spell allows you to raise up to three corpses of Medium or Small size, transforming them into loyal thralls under your command. As ghouls, they will follow your orders, defending you against any hostiles. It’s time to build your own army of the undead and show the world your terrifying power.

🌀 14 Soul Cage 🌀

🤔 Great Versatility 🤔

A spellcaster looking into their spellbook, the cover glowing with purple runes.

Classes: Warlock and Wizard Duration: 8 hours Components: Verbal, Somatic, and Material (a tiny silver cage worth 100 gp) Spell Level: 6th

Enter the realm of departed souls with Soul Cage. This unique spell allows you to capture the soul of a recently deceased being in a jar. Once trapped, you can use the soul in various ways, granting yourself temporary hit points, gaining insight through telepathy, borrowing experience for advantage on crucial rolls, or even having eyes in faraway places. It’s a spell that offers versatility and unlocks a myriad of possibilities for creative necromancers.

✨ 13 Spirit Shroud ✨

🤔 Additional Damage 🤔

Dungeons-and-Dragons-tashas-Cauldron-of-Everything-witch-with-three-faries-and-mushrooms

Classes: Cleric, Paladin, Warlock, and Wizard Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute Components: Verbal and Somatic Spell Level: 3rd

Unleash the spirits of the dead with Spirit Shroud. This spell encircles you with spectral energy, enhancing your attacks with an additional 1d8 damage. Choose between radiant, necrotic, or cold damage, depending on the situation. It’s a spell that not only deals extra damage but also allows you to adapt to any encounter. With Spirit Shroud, you’ll strike fear into the hearts of your enemies.

🔮 Chapter 2: Addressing Your Necromantic Desires 🔮

Now that we’ve explored the powerful spells of necromancy, you might have some burning questions. Fear not, for I am here to provide answers and shed further light on the arcane mysteries of necromancy. Let’s delve into some Q&A and satisfy your curiosity.

Q: Can necromancers control their undead minions? A: Absolutely! Necromancers have the ability to control the undead creatures they raise through various spells like Animate Dead or Create Undead. These undead minions will follow the necromancer’s instructions, making them formidable allies on the battlefield.

Q: Are there any spells that can heal or support allies as a necromancer? A: While necromancy is often associated with death and destruction, certain spells like False Life and Spare the Dying offer healing and support capabilities. With these spells, necromancers can provide temporary hit points to themselves or stabilize dying allies, showcasing the diverse range of necromantic abilities.

Q: What are the risks involved in using necromancy spells? A: Necromancy spells can come with moral and ethical implications. Raising the dead and manipulating life force can be seen as an affront to the natural order. Additionally, the misuse of necrotic energy can have dire consequences. It’s important for necromancers to balance their actions and be aware of the potential risks involved.

Q: Can any class learn necromancy spells? A: Although necromancy spells are closely associated with wizards and warlocks, other classes like clerics, sorcerers, bards, and even druids can access some necromantic abilities. Each class approaches necromancy from a different perspective, reflecting their unique magical traditions and beliefs.

Q: Are there any particular dangers or difficulties faced by necromancers? A: Necromancers often face prejudice and distrust from society due to the dark nature of their magic. Additionally, the pursuit of necromancy can lead to moral dilemmas and internal conflicts. It requires careful study, control, and a strong sense of responsibility to navigate the treacherous path of necromancy.

✍️ Chapter 3: Concluding Thoughts and Reader Interaction ✍️

In conclusion, necromancy in Dungeons & Dragons offers a world of frightening possibilities. From manipulating life and death to raising the dead, the spells of this arcane school can alter the tides of any battle. Whether you choose to be a master of the undead or a healer with a touch of darkness, the path of a necromancer is an intriguing one.

🖊️ Now it’s time to hear from you, brave adventurers! What are your thoughts on necromancy in Dungeons & Dragons? Have you ever played a necromancer character or encountered one in your campaigns? Share your experiences and stories in the comments below! And don’t forget to share this article with your fellow adventurers on social media. Until next time, may your spells be deadly and your adventures thrilling! 🖊️

🔗 Reference List: 1. Wizards of the Coast confirms AI components used in Magic: The Gathering marketing artwork Link to Article 2. Ubisoft Multiaccess PC access and Ubisoft Premium Link to Article 3. The Dreaded TPK: How to Avoid Total Party Kills in D&D Link to Article 4. Dive Into a New Story with D&D 5e: Princes of the Apocalypse Link to Article 5. Classical Necromancy: Exploring the Dark Arts in D&D Link to Article 6. Best Damage-Dealing Cantrips for Dungeons & Dragons Link to Article 7. Monsters in the Game That Can Kill an Adventurer in a Single Attack Link to Article 8. Best Damage-Dealing First-Level Spells in Dungeons & Dragons Link to Article 9. The Versatility and Power of Necromancy in Dungeons & Dragons Link to Article 10. How to Build and Control Your Army of Undead in Dungeons & Dragons Link to Article 11. Unleashing the Undead: Exploring the Dark Arts of Necromancy in D&D Link to Article 12. Secrets of the Necromancer: Unlocking the Powers of Death in D&D Link to Article

Note: The images used in this article are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the actual spells or characters in the game.