Chill Touch 5e
Chill Touch is a necromancy cantrip. In the 2024 rules you make a melee spell attack with a touch, dealing 1d10 necrotic damage, and the target can't regain hit points until the end of your next turn. In the 2014 rules it was a 120-foot ranged spell attack for 1d8. Damage dice increase at levels 5, 11 and 17.
Pick a level and press Roll.
Chill Touch at a glance
| Level | Cantrip necromancy |
| Casting time | 1 action |
| Range | Touch |
| Components | V, S |
| Duration | Instantaneous |
| Classes | Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard |
| Resolution | Melee spell attack (2014: ranged spell attack) |
| Damage type | Necrotic |
Chill Touch damage by character level (2024 rules)
| Level | Dice | Min | Average | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Character level 1–4 | 1d10 | 1 | 5.5 | 10 |
| Level 5–10 | 2d10 | 2 | 11 | 20 |
| Level 11–16 | 3d10 | 3 | 16.5 | 30 |
| Level 17–20 | 4d10 | 4 | 22 | 40 |
Chill Touch damage by character level (2014 rules)
| Level | Dice | Min | Average | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Character level 1–4 | 1d8 | 1 | 4.5 | 8 |
| Level 5–10 | 2d8 | 2 | 9 | 16 |
| Level 11–16 | 3d8 | 3 | 13.5 | 24 |
| Level 17–20 | 4d8 | 4 | 18 | 32 |
How Chill Touch works
How it works (2024): Make a melee spell attack against a creature within your reach. On a hit it takes 1d10 necrotic damage and can't regain hit points until the end of your next turn..
How it worked (2014): The 2014 version created a ghostly skeletal hand at a creature within 120 feet. You made a ranged spell attack for 1d8 necrotic damage, and the target couldn't regain hit points until the start of your next turn. If the target was undead, it also had disadvantage on attack rolls against you until the end of your next turn.
Cantrip scaling: Like other damage cantrips, it gains a die at character levels 5, 11 and 17. In 2024 that is 1d10, 2d10, 3d10 and 4d10 (5.5, 11, 16.5 and 22 average). In 2014 it was 1d8 to 4d8 (4.5 to 18 average). You do not add your spellcasting modifier.
Tactics: The anti-healing rider is useful against trolls, vampires and enemies with healers behind them. The 2024 version hits harder but forces you into melee, so it suits melee casters such as a Bladesinger wizard or a Pact of the Blade warlock more than a back-line caster.
Chill Touch: 2014 vs 2024 rules
| 2014 PHB | 2024 PHB | |
|---|---|---|
| Range | 120 feet | Touch |
| Attack | Ranged spell attack | Melee spell attack |
| Damage | 1d8 necrotic | 1d10 necrotic |
| No-healing rider | Until the start of your next turn | Until the end of your next turn |
| Undead rider | Undead target has disadvantage on attacks against you | Removed |
| Duration | 1 round | Instantaneous |
Chill Touch FAQ
How much damage does Chill Touch do in 5e?
In the 2024 rules it deals 1d10 necrotic damage (5.5 average) at levels 1-4, rising to 4d10 at level 17. In the 2014 rules it dealt 1d8, rising to 4d8.
Is Chill Touch melee or ranged?
In the 2024 rules it is a melee spell attack with a range of touch. In the 2014 rules it was a ranged spell attack with a 120-foot range.
What does Chill Touch do besides damage?
A creature it hits can't regain hit points until the end of your next turn (the start of your next turn in 2014). The 2014 version also gave undead targets disadvantage on attacks against you.
Does Chill Touch add my spellcasting modifier?
No. Chill Touch damage is just the dice, unless a class or subclass feature adds the modifier.
Related
- Shocking Grasp 5e
- Eldritch Blast 5e
- Cantrips in 5e: How They Scale
- Roll a d10
- All spell damage rollers
Other cantrips
- Acid Splash
- Dancing Lights
- Eldritch Blast
- Elementalism
- Fire Bolt
- Light
- Mage Hand
- Mending
- Message
- Minor Illusion
- Poison Spray
- Prestidigitation
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