bestow-curse-xphb

Bestow Curse

3rd-level, Necromancy

• Casting time: 1 Action
• Range: Touch
• Components: V, S
• Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You touch a creature, which must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become cursed for the duration. Until the curse ends, the target suffers one of the following effects of your choice:

• Choose one ability. The target has Disadvantage on ability checks and saving throws made with that ability.
• The target has Disadvantage on attack rolls against you.
• In combat, the target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw at the start of each of its turns or be forced to take the Dodge action on that turn.
• If you deal damage to the target with an attack roll or a spell, the target takes an extra 1d8 Necrotic damage.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. If you cast this spell using a level 4 spell slot, you can maintain Concentration on it for up to 10 minutes. If you use a level 5+ spell slot, the spell doesn’t require Concentration, and the duration becomes 8 hours (level 5-6 slot) or 24 hours (level 7-8 slot). If you use a level 9 spell slot, the spell lasts until dispelled.

References:

• Wizard
• Martyr (Burden of Tyranny)
• Necromancer (Pharaoh)
• Fighter (Eldritch Knight)
• Paladin (Oath of Conquest)
• Bard (Magical Secrets)
• Sorcerer (Divine Soul, Good)
• Cleric
• Fighter (Eldritch Knight)
• Sign of Ill Omen
• Rogue (Arcane Trickster)
• Warmage (House of Bishops)
• Paladin (Oathbreaker)
• Bard
• Rogue (Arcane Trickster)
• Necromancer (Crone)
• Bard (College of Lore)
• Sorcerer (Divine Soul, Good)

Sources

Player’s Handbook (2024) p. 246. Available in the SRD and the Free Rules (2024)