Weapon (any sword that deals slashing damage), legendary (requires attunement) · 2024 version below
Type
Weapon
Rarity
Legendary
Attunement
Required
Price (2014)
50,001+ gp (DMG value range)
Price (2024)
200,000 gp plus the base item
You gain a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. In addition, the weapon ignores resistance to slashing damage.
When you attack a creature that has at least one head with this weapon and roll a 20 on the attack roll, you cut off one of the creature's heads. The creature dies if it can't survive without the lost head. A creature is immune to this effect if it is immune to slashing damage, doesn't have or need a head, has legendary actions, or the GM decides that the creature is too big for its head to be cut off with this weapon. Such a creature instead takes an extra 6d8 slashing damage from the hit.
How the Vorpal Sword plays
It’s a legendary sword that deals slashing damage, with +3 to attack and damage rolls, and it ignores resistance to slashing damage. The famous part: when you attack a creature with a head and roll a 20 on the attack, you cut off one of its heads, and it dies if it can’t survive without it.
Plenty of creatures are immune to the beheading: anything immune to slashing damage, anything without a head or that doesn’t need one, anything with legendary actions, and anything the DM decides is too big. Those creatures take an extra 6d8 slashing damage instead, which is still a huge critical hit.
Who should wield it
Characters who attack often. More attacks means more natural 20s. Fighters with four attacks a turn roll a 20 about once every five turns.
Anyone who can get advantage. Advantage roughly doubles the chance of a 20, so pair it with Reckless Attack, a paralyzed or unconscious target, or a friendly caster.
Expect less against bosses. Legendary monsters are immune to beheading, so against them it’s a +3 sword that deals 6d8 extra on a 20.
Common questions
Does a Vorpal Sword behead on a 19 with Improved Critical?
No. It needs you to roll a 20 on the attack roll. A Champion fighter scores a critical hit on a 19, but only a natural 20 cuts off a head.
Which creatures are immune to the Vorpal Sword’s beheading?
Creatures immune to slashing damage, creatures without a head or that don’t need one (an ooze, for example, or anything the DM rules can live without its head), creatures with legendary actions, and any creature the DM decides is too big. They take an extra 6d8 slashing damage instead.
Can a Vorpal Sword behead a dragon?
Not an adult or ancient dragon: they have legendary actions, so they take 6d8 extra slashing damage instead. A young dragon or wyrmling has no legendary actions, so it can be beheaded unless the DM rules it too big.
What happens to a creature with several heads?
You cut off one head. A creature like a hydra or an ettin only dies if it can’t survive without that head.
What kinds of sword can be vorpal?
Any sword that deals slashing damage: longsword, greatsword, scimitar and so on. Not a rapier or shortsword, which pierce.
Does the Vorpal Sword need attunement?
Yes. It’s a legendary item that requires attunement.
Very rare: the same +3 bonus without the beheading.
Vorpal Sword in the 2024 rules
The 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide revised the magic items, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new text. What changed:
Same rarity and attunement; the text is reworded for the 2024 rules glossary.
Type
Weapon (Glaive, Greatsword, Longsword, or Scimitar)
Rarity
Legendary
Attunement
Required
You gain a +3 bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. In addition, the weapon ignores Resistance to Slashing damage.
When you use this weapon to attack a creature that has at least one head and roll a 20 on the d20 for the attack roll, you cut off one of the creature's heads. The creature dies if it can't survive without the lost head. A creature is immune to this effect if it has Immunity to Slashing damage, if it doesn't have or need a head, or if the GM decides that the creature is too big for its head to be cut off with this weapon. Such a creature instead takes an extra 30 Slashing damage from the hit. If the creature has Legendary Resistance, it can expend one daily use of that trait to avoid losing its head, taking the extra damage instead.
