Inflict Wounds

Level 1 Necromancy spell available to Clerics. A melee touch for 3d10 Necrotic, the biggest single hit any Level 1 spell can land. A burst option for a Cleric willing to get close.

Spell description: Putrefy a creature with the Necrotic energy filling your hands.

Spell properties

• Damage: 3d10 Necrotic
• Damage type: Necrotic
• Range: Melee (1.5m)
• Attack type: Melee spell Attack Roll
• Cost: Action + Spell Slot
• Recharge: Per action

Spell upcasting

Casting Inflict Wounds at a higher level deals an additional 1d10 Necrotic damage for each spell slot level above the 1st.

How to obtain Inflict Wounds

• Cleric at Class level 1
• Oathbreaker (Paladin) at Class level 3
• Granted by features: Magic Initiate: Cleric
• Source item: Blackguard’s Gauntlets

Inflict Wounds

Level 1 Necromancy Spell

Putrefy a creature with the Necrotic energy filling your hands.

Range: Melee (1.5m)

Action Level 1 Spell Slot

When to cast Inflict Wounds

3d10 is the biggest single hit any Level 1 spell can deal, which makes Inflict Wounds a genuine burst option for a melee-leaning Cleric. Land it and you can delete a low-health enemy or take a huge chunk out of a big one.

The problems are the range and the attack roll: you have to be in melee, and it can miss entirely, which for a fragile Cleric is a real risk. It is a gamble spell, best on a build that is already comfortable up close.