Bestow Curse
NecromancyYou touch a creature, and that creature must succeed on a wisdom saving throw or become cursed for the duration of the spell. When you cast this spell, choose the nature of the curse from the following options:
- Choose one ability score. While cursed, the target has disadvantage on ability checks and saving throws made with that ability score.
- While cursed, the target has disadvantage on attack rolls against you.
- While cursed, the target must make a wisdom saving throw at the start of each of its turns. If it fails, it wastes its action that turn doing nothing.
- While the target is cursed, your attacks and spells deal an extra 1d8 necrotic damage to the target. A remove curse spell ends this effect. At the DM's option, you may choose an alternative curse effect, but it should be no more powerful than those described above. The DM has final say on such a curse's effect.
At Higher Levels: If you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the duration is concentration, up to 10 minutes. If you use a spell slot of 5th level or higher, the duration is 8 hours. If you use a spell slot of 7th level or higher, the duration is 24 hours. If you use a 9th level spell slot, the spell lasts until it is dispelled. Using a spell slot of 5th level or higher grants a duration that doesn't require concentration.
Spell Details
Player Guide
Use this spell to cripple enemy spellcasters by cursing their Wisdom, or disable melee fighters by cursing Strength or Dexterity. The disadvantage on ability checks is most effective against creatures who rely heavily on skill checks or saving throws tied to that ability. Combine it with allies who can restrain or hold the target to guarantee the touch attack lands, or use it after successfully grappling an enemy. At higher levels (when casting with a 5th+ level slot), you can extend the curse's duration indefinitely, making it a powerful long-term debuff against boss enemies.
DM Tips
Remember that Bestow Curse requires the caster to actually touch the target—don't let players cast this at range or on distant enemies. When a creature is cursed with disadvantage on ability checks for a specific ability, this applies to both d20 rolls and damage rolls using that ability modifier (e.g., cursing Strength affects melee attack rolls and damage).