Hellish Rebuke
- Level: 1
- School: Evocation
- Class: Warlock
- Casting Time: Reaction, which you take in response to taking damage from a creature that you can see within 60 feet of yourself
- Range: 60 feet
- Components: V, S
- Duration: Instantaneous
The creature that damaged you is momentarily surrounded by green flames. It makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 2d10 Fire damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d10 for each spell slot level above 1.
Tactical Usage
Reaction Timing: The key to Hellish Rebuke lies in its reaction timing - cast immediately when damaged by a visible attacker within 60 feet. This creates a punishment mechanism that discourages focused targeting while dealing respectable damage. Time the reaction to maximize psychological impact, especially against enemies who rely on hit-and-run tactics.
Damage Output: With 2d10 fire damage at 1st level, Hellish Rebuke provides excellent damage efficiency for a 1st-level spell. The average 11 damage can significantly impact low-HP enemies early in encounters. The Dexterity save allows smart positioning to force saves from heavily armored but low-Dex opponents.
Resource Management: As a reaction spell, Hellish Rebuke doesn't compete with your action economy, making it an excellent use of lower-level spell slots throughout the day. Save higher-level slots for proactive spells while using Hellish Rebuke as consistent reactive punishment.
Spell Combinations
Armor of Agathys Synergy: Combine with Armor of Agathys for a devastating defensive combination. When enemies attack you, they trigger cold damage from Armor of Agathys automatically, then you can use Hellish Rebuke as a reaction for additional fire damage, creating a powerful deterrent effect.
Hex Enhancement: Apply Hex before combat to add 1d6 necrotic damage to your Hellish Rebuke if you attack the same target. While Hellish Rebuke uses a save rather than an attack roll, the psychological pressure of a marked target taking double punishment increases tactical effectiveness.
Shield Reaction Management: Coordinate with Shield spell usage by prioritizing the most threatening attack. Use Shield to avoid high-damage attacks and Hellish Rebuke to punish moderate hits that connect, maximizing both defensive and offensive reaction potential.
Material Component Details
Component-Free Casting: Hellish Rebuke requires only verbal and somatic components, making it extremely reliable. No material components mean you can cast it even when restrained or when your component pouch is inaccessible, providing consistent reaction availability.
Somatic Precision: The somatic component involves pointing directly at the attacker, making the spell's targeting obvious. This visible gesture can serve as intimidation, warning other enemies about the consequences of attacking you directly.
Verbal Invocation: The verbal component typically involves infernal words or curses. Practice dramatic delivery to enhance the spell's psychological impact - a well-delivered curse can be as effective as the damage itself in deterring future attacks.
Creator Notes
Encounter Balance: Hellish Rebuke can significantly shift encounter dynamics by discouraging focus-fire tactics against the caster. Consider enemy intelligence levels - smart enemies will adapt by using ranged attacks from beyond 60 feet or area effects that don't target the warlock directly.
NPC Usage: NPCs with Hellish Rebuke create interesting tactical challenges for players. Cultists, devil-touched individuals, or fiend warlocks gain significant defensive capability. Telegraph the ability through description or have NPCs warn attackers about consequences.
Damage Scaling: At higher levels, upcast Hellish Rebuke can deal substantial damage (4d10+ at higher slots). Balance encounters accounting for this reactive damage potential, especially when multiple party members have reaction-based punishment effects.
Environmental Interactions
Fire Immunity Considerations: Many fiends and fire-based creatures have fire immunity, reducing Hellish Rebuke's effectiveness. In campaigns featuring many such creatures, discuss with the Creator about potential energy type substitutions or additional effects.
Visibility Requirements: The spell requires seeing the attacker, making darkness, fog, or invisibility effective counters. Environmental factors that block line of sight neutralize the spell, creating tactical positioning considerations.
Range Limitations: The 60-foot range creates positioning importance. In large battle maps, encourage tactical positioning to keep key enemies within Hellish Rebuke range while maintaining safe distances from other threats.
Common Rulings & Clarifications
Damage Source Identification: You must be able to see the creature that damaged you to target it with Hellish Rebuke. Indirect damage sources like area effects or environment hazards don't qualify unless a specific creature caused them intentionally.
Reaction Timing: The reaction occurs immediately after taking damage but before any other consequences of that damage resolve. This means you can use Hellish Rebuke even if the damage would reduce you to 0 hit points, potentially taking your attacker down with you.
Multiple Attackers: If multiple creatures damage you simultaneously (rare but possible), you can only target one with Hellish Rebuke since you only get one reaction per round.
Alternative Applications
Interrogation Tool: The threat of Hellish Rebuke can serve as intimidation during social encounters. Demonstrate the spell's power to establish consequences for betrayal or violence, creating psychological pressure in negotiations.
Area Denial: Position yourself strategically to threaten Hellish Rebuke against enemies entering specific areas. While not traditional area denial, the threat of immediate retaliation can influence enemy movement patterns.
Last Stand Defense: When reduced to low hit points, Hellish Rebuke becomes a potent last resort. The ability to potentially eliminate an attacker even when falling unconscious makes desperate situations less hopeless.
Related Spells
Armor of Agathys: The premier defensive complement to Hellish Rebuke, providing automatic cold damage that stacks with your reactive fire damage for devastating punishment combinations.
Fire Shield: Higher-level alternative that provides similar reactive damage but with longer duration and additional defensive benefits. Consider Fire Shield for extended encounters where multiple reactions are expected.
Shield: Essential reaction management companion. Use Shield to avoid the most dangerous attacks while using Hellish Rebuke to punish lesser hits that connect, maximizing your limited reactions.
Scaling Analysis
Early Levels (1-4): Hellish Rebuke shines at early levels where 2d10 damage represents a significant portion of enemy hit points. The consistent availability through reaction economy makes it a reliable combat contributor throughout these levels.
Mid Levels (5-10): Upcast Hellish Rebuke maintains relevance with scaling damage, though competition from higher-level spells increases. Reserve higher-level slots for proactive spells while using 1st-2nd level slots for reactive punishment.
High Levels (11+): While base damage becomes less significant, upcast versions (5d10+ damage) remain respectable. The reaction economy value persists, providing consistent punishment for enemies who ignore positioning considerations.
Narrative Flavor
Infernal Manifestation: Green flames surge from the ground around your attacker, accompanied by the acrid smell of sulfur and the sound of crackling energy. The momentary glimpse of hellish power serves as both weapon and warning.
Personal Style Variations: Customize the flame color and manifestation to reflect your warlock's patron. Archfey patrons might produce silver-green flames with musical crackling, while Great Old One patrons create flames that flicker with disturbing shadows and whispers.
Dramatic Timing: Perfect the dramatic pause between taking damage and casting Hellish Rebuke. A cold smile followed by pointing at your attacker creates memorable moments that reinforce your character's supernatural confidence and power.