Curse Magic • Pathfinder Witch Spell
Ill Omen
Ill Omen curses a target with bad luck, forcing it to roll twice and take the worse result on upcoming d20 rolls. This is a Pathfinder 1e Witch spell; later editions should not inherit it automatically.
Ill Omen at a Glance
| 5.5e / 2024 | No Ill Omen spell in SRD 5.2.1 |
|---|---|
| 5e / 2014 | No core spell by this name |
| Pathfinder 1e | Witch 1 |
| D&D 3.5e | No core spell by this name |
Spell Rules by Edition
Ill Omen — 5.5e / 2024
Status: not present in SRD 5.2.1. Use the Witch’s modern Hexcraft and spell list instead.
Ill Omen — 5e / 2014
Status: no core spell by this name.
Ill Omen — Pathfinder 1e
| School | Enchantment (compulsion) [curse, mind-affecting] |
|---|---|
| Level | Witch 1 |
| Casting Time | 1 standard action |
| Components | V, S, M (hair from a black cat) |
| Range | Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) |
| Target | One creature |
| Duration | 1 round/level or until discharged |
| Saving Throw | None |
| Spell Resistance | Yes |
The target must roll twice on its next d20 roll and use the less favourable result. For every five caster levels you have, one additional d20 roll is affected, to a maximum of five rolls at 20th level.
A target that understands the effect, can speak and has a free hand can spend a move action on a brief prayer or good-luck charm to negate one of the forced rerolls.
Ill Omen — D&D 3.5e
Status: no core spell by this name.
Using Ill Omen in Play
Ill Omen is a setup spell. It is most useful immediately before an ally forces an important saving throw, makes a dangerous attack, or when the target is about to attempt a decisive skill check.
What Changed?
Ill Omen is specifically a Pathfinder 1e Witch curse. Fifth edition and D&D 3.5e do not use this spell by name, so the forced-worse-roll mechanic is not imported into those rulesets.
Counterplay and Related Magic
Spell Resistance applies in Pathfinder. A target that understands the effect can spend the specified move action on a prayer or good-luck charm to cancel one forced reroll. Compare Bane and Doom.
Rules Sources and Licensing
Pathfinder source: Advanced Player’s Guide. Other edition panels are status guidance only.
Keep this reference growing
If this page helped with your reading or game, you can support its upkeep or explore the curated books.
Explore the Bookshop — epics, classics and stories behind imagined worlds.