D&D 5E Power Word Kill Houserule: Any <100 hp within 1 minute

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

Ok so trying a different angle. Instead of trying to create a bunch of language to protect the caster from wasting the spell....what if we just prevented the caster from wasting the spell?

Power Word Kill
Range: 60 feet
Casting Time: Bonus Action
Target: One creature you can see within range
Duration: Instantaneous

You utter a word of power that can compel one creature you can see within range to die instantly. If the creature you choose has 100 hit points or fewer, it dies. Otherwise, the spell has no effect, but the spell slot is not expended.


So in this version, you waste the bonus action from the casted spell (and couldn't cast another non-cantrip this round as normal) but otherwise can use the spell worry free about wasting the slot. The spell with either work, or you "get your money back"

This works too... I still prefer your initial attempt though. I liked the imagery of a curse that lay over the target for the duration of the spell.

 

[NotAYakk]

This works too... I still prefer your initial attempt though. I liked the imagery of a curse that lay over the target for the duration of the spell.

Sure, but that isn't Power Word: Kill.

Power Word: Kill is saying a word and someone drops dead.

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

Sure, but that isn't Power Word: Kill.

Power Word: Kill is saying a word and someone drops dead.

To you it is! I find both interpretations and implementations appealing.

 

[Stalker0]

Sure, but that isn't Power Word: Kill.

Power Word: Kill is saying a word and someone drops dead.

I mean, if the target is at 100 hp when the spell is cast, it works just liek the original version. You speak a word, they drop dead.

Its just we have added this notion that the death lingers around, waiting for its moment to strike if you didn't die.