Evil Domain
The Evil Domain represents deliberate supernatural malevolence, corruption and power used to dominate, desecrate or destroy. It is an alignment domain in Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e, but its mechanics differ sharply between those editions and are kept separate here.
At a Glance
| Divine Sphere | Supernatural evil, corruption, desecration, cruelty and hostile outsider power |
|---|---|
| Typical Role | Debuffer and anti-good specialist in Pathfinder; evil-descriptor caster in 3.5e |
| Published Rules | Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e |
| Modern D&D Status | No official same-named Evil Domain in 2014 or 2024 D&D. |
| Eligibility | Pathfinder alignment-domain rules require a cleric choosing Evil to have a matching alignment. |
Edition Applicability
The Evil Domain is a published alignment domain in Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e. It is not an official same-named Cleric subclass in D&D 5e/2014 or the 2024 rules, so no modern rules panel is invented here.
Evil Domain — Pathfinder 1e
Rules status: published Pathfinder 1e Core Rulebook domain.
Touch of Evil
As a melee touch attack, you can make a creature sickened for a number of rounds equal to half your Cleric level, minimum 1. A creature affected by this touch counts as good for the purpose of spells with the evil descriptor. Uses per day equal 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
Scythe of Evil
At 8th level, touch a weapon to give it the unholy special weapon quality for a number of rounds equal to half your Cleric level. You can use this once per day at 8th level, plus one additional time per day for every four Cleric levels beyond 8th.
Pathfinder 1e Evil Domain Spells
| 1st | Protection from Good |
|---|---|
| 2nd | Align Weapon (evil only) |
| 3rd | Magic Circle against Good |
| 4th | Unholy Blight |
| 5th | Dispel Good |
| 6th | Create Undead |
| 7th | Blasphemy |
| 8th | Unholy Aura |
| 9th | Summon Monster IX (evil spell only) |
Evil Domain — D&D 3.5e
Rules status: published D&D 3.5e SRD domain.
Granted Power
You cast spells with the evil descriptor at +1 caster level.
D&D 3.5e Evil Domain Spells
| 1st | Protection from Good |
|---|---|
| 2nd | Desecrate |
| 3rd | Magic Circle against Good |
| 4th | Unholy Blight |
| 5th | Dispel Good |
| 6th | Create Undead |
| 7th | Blasphemy |
| 8th | Unholy Aura |
| 9th | Summon Monster IX (cast as an evil spell only) |
How the Evil Domain Plays
Pathfinder makes the domain an active debuff-and-weapon package, while D&D 3.5e rewards use of evil-descriptor spells through a caster-level increase. The two editions also diverge at 2nd-level domain magic: Pathfinder uses Align Weapon; 3.5e uses Desecrate.
Who Should Grant the Evil Domain?
Reserve this domain for powers whose established portfolio is genuinely malevolent or corruptive. Mortal selfishness, harsh rule or ordinary wrongdoing is not automatically equivalent to supernatural evil; the deity or power should have a clear campaign reason to grant this sphere.
Priests, Cults and Rites
Evil-domain priests may serve tyrants, corrupters, predatory outsiders, destroyers or powers of deliberate cruelty. Their rites and goals should follow the patron rather than collapsing every evil cult into a single generic religion.
What Are Evil Priests Doing Now?
These priests are corrupting local institutions, bargaining with hostile outsiders, desecrating protected sites, recruiting desperate followers and pursuing relics that make supernatural coercion or destruction easier.
Related Domains and Character Options
Rules Sources and Licensing
- Pathfinder 1e: published Core Rulebook domain; its 2nd-level spell is Align Weapon (evil only).
- D&D 3.5e: published SRD domain; its 2nd-level spell is Desecrate.
- Edition rule: these lists are deliberately not merged.