So you're rolling a Death wizard in Wizard101? Smart choice. I remember my first Death character - stumbled into it by accident but man, did it save my bacon when soloing those tricky Celestia bosses. Death school spells aren't flashy like Storm, but they'll keep you alive when others are crying at their respawn point.
Why go Death? Simple. These spells suck the life out of enemies - literally. Every attack heals you. Where other schools need healers, Death wizards laugh and keep slinging spells. Downside? Your hits won't make big boom numbers early on. But trust me, patience pays off.
Death Spell Mechanics Explained (No Fluff)
Death magic operates on two core principles: Drain Effects and Debuffs. Every damage dealer steals health. Even your basic Ghoul does it. Later spells like Wraith? They hit multiple enemies while refilling your health bar. Beautiful stuff.
Then there's the utility. Want to weaken an annoying boss? Deer Knight puts a damage-over-time while lowering their attack. Fighting minions? Scarecrow clears the field while keeping you topped up. It's why Death wizards solo better than any other school - we don't need babysitters.
Reality check though: Death isn't perfect. Before level 48, your damage feels like throwing wet noodles. I almost quit around Mooshu because battles took forever. But stick it out - once you get Scarecrow, everything changes.
Complete Wizard101 Death Spells List by Level
Here's every death spell worth knowing - tested across my three max-level Death wizards. Bookmark this table:
| Spell Name | Level | Damage | Effect | How to Get |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Sprite | 1 | 65-105 | Steals 50% health | Starting spell |
| Ghoul | 2 | 130-170 | Steals 50% health | Death Teacher (Ravenwood) |
| Dread Bat | 18 | 210-250 | Steals 50% health | Mortis (Krokotopia) |
| Poison | 22 | 195 over 3 rounds | -25% attack on target | Mortis (Krokotopia) |
| Vampire | 26 | 275-315 | Steals 50% health | Mortis (Krokotopia) |
| Wraith | 42 | 340-380 | Steals 50% health (AOE) | Mortis (Celestia) |
| Scarecrow | 48 | 400-440 | Steals 50% health (AOE) | Mortis (Celestia) |
| Deer Knight | N/A | 365 over 3 rounds | -25% attack to all | Lore Master drop/Crafting |
Game-Changer Alert: Scarecrow
Stop everything. When you hit level 48, drop whatever you're doing and go get Scarecrow from Mortis in Celestia Symphony Hall. This 4-pip AOE is why Death rules solo PVE. Hits all enemies, heals you for half the damage, and turns marathon battles into quick wins. Without it? Good luck in Zafaria.
Personal tip: Pair Scarecrow with Death Blade (+30% damage) and Spirit Blade (+35% damage). Suddenly you're hitting for 700+ while healing 350. It's broken and I love it.
Where to Get Death Spells Fast
Most death spells come from teachers in Ravenwood and beyond:
| Trainer | Location | Key Spells | Level Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dworgyn | Death School (Ravenwood) | Dark Sprite, Ghoul | 1-10 |
| Mortis | Krokosphinx (Krokotopia) | Dread Bat, Poison | Level 18+ |
| Mortis | Symphony Hall (Celestia) | Wraith, Scarecrow | Level 42+ |
But the good stuff? That's hidden:
- Deer Knight: Farm Loremaster in Dragonspyre (1% drop rate) or craft it - needs 25 Blood Moss
- Headless Horseman: Halloween pack exclusive (of course)
- Calla Lily: Crafted only - requires Azoth farming
Heads up: Crafting Deer Knight is brutal. Took me three weeks of farming mushrooms in Savarstaad Pass. Worth it? Absolutely. That animation alone makes enemies tilt.
Death School Gear: What Actually Works
Don't waste time on trash gear. After leveling three Death wizards, here's what matters:
| Gear Slot | Best Early (lvl 30-60) | Best Mid (lvl 100) | Endgame (lvl 160) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hat | Zeus' Hadean Helm | Mali robe | Aeon's Grim Helm |
| Robe | Senator's Dark Robe | Dragoon robe | Aeon's Grim Tunic |
| Boots | Waterworks boots | Dragoon boots | Aeon's Grim Boots |
| Wand | Sky Iron Hasta | Executive death wand | Novus Death Wand |
Prioritize these stats:
- Damage % (Boost all drain effects)
- Pierce (Counter those shield-spamming bosses)
- Critical Rating (Double damage = double healing)
Skip resistance stacking. Why? Your drains are your healing. Dead enemies can't hurt you.
PVE Strategy: How Death Wizards Solo Everything
Death wizards play completely different. Forget "nuke fast" strategies. Here's my battle-tested approach:
- Round 1-2: Cast Death Blade (+30%) then Spirit Blade (+35%)
- Round 3: Drop Feint (+70% trap) on toughest enemy
- Round 4: Hit Scarecrow or single-target nuke
See the math? With blades and feint, your "weak" 400 damage Scarecrow hits for:
400 x 1.3 x 1.35 x 1.7 = 1,193 damage to all enemies
And heals you for 596 HP. That's why Death solos dungeons that make Storm wizards rage quit.
When Things Go Wrong (Because They Will)
Got a cheating boss dispelling your blades? Switch tactics:
- Spam Poison - DoT ignores shields
- Use Bad Juju - Makes bosses hit like kittens
- Cast Sacrifice - Heal teammates while damaging yourself (then drain back)
PVP Tactics That Actually Work
Death wizards dominate mid-level PVP... if you exploit these tricks:
| Situation | Counter Spell | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Versus Ice | Doom & Gloom | Stops their healing spam |
| Versus Fire | Virulent Plague | Cuts their damage-over-time |
| Versus Myth | Death Shield | Blocks minion attacks |
Your MVP spells in arena:
- Juju Spam - Stack -90% damage on enemies
- Deer Knight - Continuous pressure through shields
- Calla Lily - Removes enemy shields AND heals you
But here's the ugly truth: High-level PVP favors burst schools. When a max Storm hits you for 2,000 damage before you blink, drains won't save you. Death is B-tier in tournaments - don't let anyone tell you different.
Advanced Tips From a Death Main
Little things that make big differences:
Pet Genetics Matter: Hatch with triple-double pets (Damage + Resist). My gloomy eye gives +17% death damage and +15% universal resist. Total game-changer.
- Deck Setup: Carry max 7 cards: 2 blades, 2 feints, 1 prisms, 2 Scarecrows. Clutter gets you killed
- Training Points: MUST-HAVES: Ice to Tower Shield, Death to Feint, Sun to damage enchants
- Crafting Priority: Deer Knight > Ship of Fools > Calla Lily (ignore others)
And please - stop wasting pips on Wraith after level 48. Scarecrow costs same pips and hits all enemies. Unless you're fighting a single boss, it's strictly worse.
Death Wizard FAQs: Real Answers
Is Death school good for beginners?
Yes and no. Surviving is easy thanks to drains, but battles take 30% longer than Storm/Fire. If you're impatient, Death will frustrate you early on. Stick with it - post-level 48 it's the best solo school.
What's the best death spell for farming?
Scarecrow 100%. Low pip cost, hits all enemies, keeps you alive. Deer Knight is flashy but slower against mobs.
Why does my Ghoul spell heal so little?
Two reasons: Low damage output (upgrade your wand) or enemies resisting death damage (use pierce jewels). Side note: Ghoul becomes useless after Krokotopia. Stop using it.
Can Death wizards be healers?
Technically yes with Sacrifice, but you're a terrible main healer. Play Life or Balance instead. Death excels at off-healing while dealing damage.
What's the hardest Death spell to get?
Call of Khrulhu (crafting). Requires 15 Amber - which only drops from secret bosses like Cronus. Took me 47 runs. Never again.
Final Reality Check
Death school isn't for everyone. You'll trade flashy crits for relentless survivability. But when you solo Mount Olympus at level 30 while groups wipe? Pure satisfaction. Just push through the early slog - those wizard101 death spells become monstrous.
Oh, and if you see a Death wizard casting Poison for 10 rounds straight in PVP? That's probably me. Say hi before I drain your health bar.