Skip to main content

Circle Of Death

← Back to Spell List

Circle of Death
  • Level: 6
  • School: Necromancy
  • Class: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
  • Casting Time: Action
  • Range: 150 feet
  • Components: V, S, M (the powder of a crushed black pearl worth 500+ GP)
  • Duration: Instantaneous

Negative energy ripples out in a 60-foot-radius sphere from a point you choose within range. Each creature in that area makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 8d8 Necrotic damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 2d8 for each spell slot level above 6.

Tactical Usage​

When to Choose Circle of Death:

  • Ultimate area damage spell for clustered enemies
  • Excellent for clearing multiple mid-level threats
  • Strong choice against large groups of weaker enemies
  • Valuable for controlling chokepoints and confined spaces

Area Management:

  • 60-foot radius covers enormous area (120-foot diameter)
  • 150-foot range allows safe casting distance
  • Sphere shape affects creatures above and below target point
  • Careful positioning prevents friendly fire

Damage Optimization:

  • 6th Level: 36 average damage (devastating to most creatures)
  • 7th Level: 45 average damage (encounter-ending potential)
  • 8th Level: 54 average damage (massive destruction)
  • 9th Level: 63 average damage (ultimate area devastation)

Spell Combinations​

Area Enhancement:

  • Web: Group enemies for maximum area coverage
  • Hypnotic Pattern: Incapacitated enemies automatically fail saves
  • Black Tentacles: Restrain enemies in death circle
  • Wall spells: Force enemies into clustered formations

Save Debuffing:

  • Bane: Reduce Constitution save bonuses
  • Bestow Curse: Target Constitution for save disadvantage
  • Hex: Weaken Constitution scores
  • Contagion: Disease effects may reduce Constitution

Material Component Details​

Crushed Black Pearl Powder Worth 500+ GP:

  • Expensive Component: Substantial investment for powerful effect
  • Consumption: Component is consumed during casting
  • Rarity: Black pearls difficult to acquire in many locations
  • Symbolism: Represents death, darkness, and negative energy

Roleplay Opportunities:

  • Describe pearl powder swirling with dark energy
  • Reference the pearl's connection to deep ocean deaths
  • Use component scattering as dramatic casting gesture
  • Emphasize the cost of wielding such destructive power

Creator Notes​

Adjudication Guidance:

  • Sphere affects creatures at different elevations within area
  • Constitution saves represent physical resilience against death energy
  • Necrotic damage type may heal some undead creatures
  • Component consumption creates ongoing resource cost

Encounter Impact:

  • Can dramatically alter encounter balance with single casting
  • Forces positioning considerations for both sides
  • May eliminate multiple enemies simultaneously
  • Creates memorable moments of magical devastation

Balancing Considerations:

  • 6th-level slot cost appropriate for encounter-ending potential
  • Expensive consumed component limits frequency of use
  • Constitution saves favor hardier creatures
  • Large area balanced by potential for collateral damage

Environmental Interactions​

Negative Energy:

  • Creates sphere of death energy that withers plant life
  • May animate nearby corpses as undead (Creator discretion)
  • Attracts undead creatures and necromantic energies
  • Leaves lingering aura of death and decay

Area Effects:

  • Massive sphere visible from great distances
  • Creates temporary dead zone in natural environments
  • May trigger responses from nature-focused characters or creatures
  • Demonstrates obvious high-level necromantic magic use

Undead Interaction:

  • May heal undead creatures instead of harming them
  • Could strengthen or animate nearby corpses
  • Might attract undead from surrounding areas
  • Establishes caster as powerful necromancer

Common Rulings & Clarifications​

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Does this affect undead creatures? A: They make saves normally, but may be healed instead of harmed (Creator discretion).

Q: Can I position the sphere to avoid hitting allies? A: Yes, you choose the center point and can position carefully.

Q: What happens if enemies are at different elevations? A: The sphere affects all creatures within the 60-foot radius regardless of height.

Q: Does this spell consume the black pearl? A: Yes, the component is consumed during casting.

Alternative Applications​

Mass Elimination:

  • Army Breaking: Devastate large military formations
  • Siege Warfare: Clear defensive positions of multiple defenders
  • Undead Control: Command or strengthen large groups of undead
  • Area Denial: Create zones too dangerous for enemies to occupy

Environmental Effects:

  • Blight Creation: Destroy large areas of plant life
  • Undead Animation: Potentially animate numerous corpses
  • Fear Induction: Demonstrate overwhelming magical power
  • Ritual Components: Harvest death energy for necromantic rituals

Area Damage:

  • Fireball: Fire damage with smaller area
  • Meteor Swarm: Multiple area damage points
  • Chain Lightning: Multi-target electrical damage
  • Earthquake: Environmental area damage

Necromantic Magic:

  • Harm: Single-target major necrotic damage
  • Blight: Plant-focused necrotic damage
  • Vampiric Touch: Life-draining touch attack
  • Animate Dead: Undead creation magic

6th-Level Alternatives:

  • Disintegrate: Single-target massive damage
  • Chain Lightning: Multi-target electrical damage
  • Flesh to Stone: Single-target incapacitation
  • Mass Suggestion: Group behavioral control

Scaling Analysis​

Level Progression:

  • Available at Level 11: High-level area devastation option
  • Resource Investment: Major spell slot plus expensive component
  • Encounter Impact: Can end encounters against multiple enemies

Damage Scaling:

  • 6th Level: 36 average damage per creature
  • 7th Level: 45 average damage (significant improvement)
  • 8th Level: 54 average damage (devastating effect)
  • 9th Level: 63 average damage (ultimate destruction)

Long-Term Viability:

  • High damage remains threatening at all levels
  • Enormous area ensures ongoing tactical relevance
  • Component cost creates meaningful resource decisions
  • Essential tool for necromancy-focused high-level characters

Narrative Flavor​

Extended Description: You scatter the crushed black pearl powder while speaking words that seem to drain warmth from the very air around you. The powder begins to glow with malevolent dark energy before exploding outward in an expanding sphere of pure death. The negative energy ripples through the area like a wave of absolute entropy, withering plants, chilling the air, and draining the life force from every living thing caught in its inexorable embrace.

Sensory Details:

  • Visual: Expanding sphere of dark, withering energy
  • Temperature: Sudden chill as life energy is drained
  • Atmospheric: Plants wilting, colors fading to gray
  • Spiritual: Overwhelming presence of death and entropy

Cultural Context: Circle of Death represents necromancy at its most devastating, demonstrating the caster's ability to channel death itself as a weapon of mass destruction. Such power is typically feared and reviled by most societies, marking the caster as a figure of terrible magical authority.