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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Nagol" data-source="post: 6846722" data-attributes="member: 23935">Perhaps, but I'll note the hp thresholds in 3e were the same as adopted by 5e with at least as much hp inflation compared to previous editions.I'll also point out Power Word Kill is not the top end of damage for the spell level -- that would go to Meteor Swarm with 140 hp expected damage which also has the further advantages of partial effect (hp lost even if target(s) don't die),  multiple large areas of effect, and extreme range.  It does suffer from having a normal save, (but the secondary damage is 70% of PWK's maximal effect split over two damage types to reduce the effectiveness of resistance) and the large areas of effect can be undesirable.  Meteor Swarm was substantially improved in comparison to previous editions. PWK compares poorly with 100 hp as an all-or-nothing with an odd way to save (having sufficient hp negates the attack), moderate combat range, and single target.  It does have effectively untyped damage so no resistance applies if the hp test is successful.All in all a less than stellar comparison if you want to remove opponents unless you specifically require no collateral damage.  For that situation a high-level Disintegrate is probably a better choice since it deals 19d6 + 40 damage, save for half (expected damage of 107.5), provides a partial effect, and has more secondary uses.</blockquote>