Does Chill Touch Stop Temporary Hit Points?

Yes, Chill Touch can stop the gaining of temporary hit points (THP), but only if the target is undead. The spell description explicitly states: “The target is also unable to regain hit points until the start of your next turn. If you hit an undead target, it also has disadvantage on attack rolls against you until the end of your next turn, and you can’t regain any hit points or gain temporary hit points until the start of your next turn.” The crucial element here is that the THP denial effect only applies to undead creatures that are successfully hit by the Chill Touch spell. For non-undead creatures, Chill Touch only prevents the regaining of regular hit points.

Understanding Chill Touch and Temporary Hit Points

To fully grasp how Chill Touch interacts with temporary hit points, let’s break down each element separately.

What is Chill Touch?

Chill Touch is a necromancy cantrip available to wizards, warlocks, and sorcerers (and sometimes other classes or subclasses depending on the sourcebook). It’s a ranged attack spell that launches a spectral hand at a creature within 120 feet. If the attack hits, the target takes 1d8 necrotic damage, cannot regain hit points until the start of the caster’s next turn, and, crucially if the target is undead, cannot regain hit points or gain temporary hit points until the start of the caster’s next turn, and has disadvantage on attack rolls against the caster until the end of the caster’s next turn. The damage increases as the caster levels up.

What are Temporary Hit Points?

Temporary hit points (THP) are a buffer of hit points that provide a temporary cushion against damage. They are not “real” hit points and don’t increase a creature’s maximum hit point total. When a creature with temporary hit points takes damage, the temporary hit points are depleted first. If the damage exceeds the THP, the remaining damage is applied to the creature’s regular hit points.

A creature can only have one source of temporary hit points active at a time. If a creature gains new temporary hit points while already having some, it chooses whether to keep the old THP or the new THP, whichever is higher. Certain spells and abilities grant THP, such as the Heroism spell or the Fiendish Vigor invocation for warlocks.

The Interaction: Undead vs. Living

The key to understanding the interaction lies in the target’s creature type.

• Undead: Against undead creatures, Chill Touch is significantly more potent. Not only does it deal necrotic damage and prevent regaining hit points, but it also prevents the undead creature from gaining any temporary hit points until the start of the caster’s next turn. The undead also has disadvantage on attack rolls against you. This is a powerful effect, particularly against undead creatures that rely on THP for survivability.

• Living Creatures (Non-Undead): Against any creature that isn’t classified as undead (humanoids, beasts, monstrosities, etc.), Chill Touch only prevents them from regaining hit points. The spell has no effect on their ability to gain temporary hit points. They can still benefit from spells or abilities that grant THP, even if they’ve been hit by Chill Touch.

Why This Distinction Matters

This distinction is crucial for tactical gameplay. Understanding that Chill Touch only blocks THP gain for undead allows players to:

• Prioritize Targets: In encounters with both undead and living creatures, prioritize using Chill Touch on undead targets to maximize its effectiveness.
• Adapt Strategies: Against living enemies, recognize that Chill Touch is still useful for preventing healing but won’t stop them from using temporary hit points as a defensive measure.
• Optimize Spell Selection: Knowing the limitations of Chill Touch helps players choose the right spells for different combat situations. If you absolutely need to prevent THP gain against a non-undead, you’ll need to find a different spell or ability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. If I cast Chill Touch on a zombie, can it still gain THP from a necromancer’s ability?

No. If you successfully hit a zombie with Chill Touch, it cannot gain temporary hit points from any source until the start of your next turn. This includes abilities, spells, or other effects.

2. Does Chill Touch’s effect on undead stack if I hit the same undead creature multiple times?

No, the effect doesn’t stack. Each successful hit with Chill Touch refreshes the duration of the THP-blocking effect. The undead creature will be unable to regain hit points or gain temporary hit points until the start of your next turn after the most recent hit.

3. If a vampire spawn takes damage and uses its regeneration ability, does Chill Touch stop it?

Yes, Chill Touch can prevent a vampire spawn from regenerating. Vampire spawn’s regeneration ability allows them to regain hit points at the start of their turn, which Chill Touch directly prevents. If you hit a vampire spawn with Chill Touch, it won’t regain any hit points from its regeneration ability until the start of your next turn.

4. If a warlock has Fiendish Vigor (which grants THP), can they use it after being hit by Chill Touch (if they are not undead)?

Yes, a warlock who is not undead can still use Fiendish Vigor to gain temporary hit points after being hit by Chill Touch. Chill Touch only prevents the regaining of regular hit points for non-undead creatures, not the gaining of temporary hit points.

5. What if I hit a creature that later becomes undead? Does Chill Touch suddenly block THP?

No. The creature type at the time of the Chill Touch attack is what determines whether the THP-blocking effect applies. If a creature is not undead when hit by Chill Touch, it remains unaffected regarding THP, even if it later becomes undead.

6. Can Chill Touch block THP granted by the False Life spell?

If the target of False Life is undead and you hit it with Chill Touch before it casts False Life, then no, they cannot gain the THP from False Life. However, if the undead creature casts False Life before being hit by Chill Touch, the THP remains until depleted or overwritten, but they cannot gain more THP from the False Life spell until the start of your next turn. If the target is not undead, Chill Touch has no effect on THP.

7. Does the disadvantage on attack rolls from Chill Touch also apply to spell attacks?

Yes, the disadvantage on attack rolls granted by Chill Touch to undead targets applies to all attack rolls, including spell attacks that require an attack roll.

8. Does being incapacitated prevent a creature from gaining THP, regardless of Chill Touch?

Being incapacitated does not inherently prevent a creature from gaining temporary hit points, unless the source granting the THP specifically requires the creature to be conscious or take an action. The rules don’t specify that an incapacitated creature can’t gain THP.

9. What happens if an undead creature already has temporary hit points when hit by Chill Touch?

The existing temporary hit points are unaffected. Chill Touch only prevents the creature from gaining new temporary hit points. The existing THP will remain until depleted or replaced by a new, larger pool of THP after the Chill Touch effect expires.

10. If a DM houserules that Chill Touch also prevents THP gain on all creatures, is that legal?

Absolutely! The Dungeon Master (DM) has the final say on the rules of their game. While sticking to the rules as written (RAW) provides consistency, DMs are free to modify or add rules to create the experience they desire. Just ensure that the players are aware of any houserules.

11. Is Chill Touch considered a “touch” spell, meaning can I deliver it through a familiar?

No, Chill Touch is a ranged spell attack, not a touch spell. You cannot deliver it through your familiar using the familiar’s ability to deliver touch spells. Chill Touch has a range of 120 feet and requires a ranged spell attack roll.

12. Does resistance to necrotic damage affect Chill Touch’s THP-blocking effect on undead?

No, resistance to necrotic damage only reduces the amount of damage taken from the spell. It does not affect the spell’s secondary effect of preventing THP gain or attack roll disadvantage on undead creatures. The undead creature will still be unable to regain hit points or gain temporary hit points, and will have disadvantage on attack rolls against you, even if it resists the necrotic damage.

13. If a creature is immune to necrotic damage, does Chill Touch still prevent it from gaining temporary hit points (if undead)?

Yes. Even if an undead creature is immune to the necrotic damage of Chill Touch, the spell still prevents the creature from regaining hit points or gaining temporary hit points until the start of your next turn, and it still has disadvantage on attack rolls against you. The effect preventing THP gain is separate from the damage component of the spell.

14. Can a Paladin’s Lay on Hands ability be used to bypass Chill Touch’s effect and heal a creature?

No, Lay on Hands cannot bypass the effect of Chill Touch that prevents regaining hit points. Chill Touch explicitly states that the target can’t regain hit points until the start of your next turn. Lay on Hands is a form of healing, which is prevented by the spell.

15. If an undead creature has an ability that grants temporary hit points at the end of its turn, but it was hit by Chill Touch, does the ability trigger?

The ability will likely trigger, but the undead creature won’t actually gain the temporary hit points. The timing is crucial. Chill Touch prevents the creature from gaining THP, not from attempting to gain them. The ability would activate (possibly consuming a resource or trigger), but the intended benefit (the THP) is negated by the Chill Touch effect.