D&D 5E 5e PHB Errata Warlock Quick Build Ray of Sickness isn’t listed as a Warlock spell pg.106 and 210

[Fire Brand]

5e PHB Errata Warlock Quick Build Ray of Sickness isn’t listed as a Warlock spell pg.106 and 210

Here’s something interesting. 5e PHB Under Warlock Quick Build [...] “Third, choose the eldritch blast and chill touch cantrips, along with the 1st-level spells ray of sickness and witch bolt.”

Errata: Ray of Sickness isn’t listed as a Warlock spell. (it is in the spells section though fwiw) It was in the Alpha draft so I guess that’s where the goof came from. Anyway if you’re gonna make a 5e Warlock it’s interesting to note. I emailed WotC. They said it’ll be passed along to the proper dept.

1s t L e v e l
Armor of Agathys
Arms of Hadar
Charm Person
Comprehend Languages
Expeditious Retreat
Hellish Rebuke
Hex
Illusory Script
Protection from
Evil and Good
Unseen Servant
Witch Bolt

 

[Evenglare]

yeah, its a pretty big oversight, especially since quick builds are aimed at new players, so it would be very confusing for them to look elsewhere and notice this isn't in the spell list.

 

[Fire Brand]

Yes and kind of funny in a way because (probably wisely) WotC is releasing the PHB, DMG, and MM farther apart than in the past. One reason stated is in order to get errata ironed out. But this is the first book to be released. I'm a graphic designer who just finished a 370 page tech data manual. It's easy to understand how those things are missed in a big book even for a big company.

 

[Li Shenron]

Is Ray of Sickness in the PHB at all?

edit: YES, now I read the first post better...

So it remains to see whether the spell was removed on purpose from the Warlock list or not.

By the name, it sounds like it's probably an appropriate spell for Warlocks... so I'd guess the errata is in the spell list, not the quick build.

 

[Evenglare]

Is Ray of Sickness in the PHB at all?

edit: YES, now I read the first post better...

So it remains to see whether the spell was removed on purpose from the Warlock list or not.

By the name, it sounds like it's probably an appropriate spell for Warlocks... so I'd guess the errata is in the spell list, not the quick build.

That's how I take it. My warlock player is using it. I just had to make a judgement call so I said go ahead.

 

[Fire Brand]

Correct, Ray of Sickness is a 1st level Wizard spell. Not a warlock spell at all.

R a y o f S ic k n e s s
1st-level necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
A ray o f sickening greenish energy lashes out toward
a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack
against the target. On a hit, the target takes 2d8 poison
damage and must make a Constitution saving throw.
On a failed save, it is also poisoned until the end of
your next turn.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a
spell slot o f 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by
1d8 for each slot level above 1st.

Here’s what the PHB Warlock 1st level spell list is (differences in bold):
1s t L e v e l
Armor of Agathys
Arms of Hadar
Charm Person
Comprehend Languages
Expeditious Retreat
Hellish Rebuke
Hex
Illusory Script
Protection from Evil and Good
Unseen Servant
Witch Bolt

Here’s what the Alpha draft Warlock 1st level spell list is (differences in bold. the ‘!’ is from copying the PDF):
Bestow!Curse!
Charm!Person!
Cloud!of!Daggers!
Comprehend!Languages!
Hellish!Rebuke!
Illusory!Script!
Protection!from!Evil!
Ray!of!Sickness!
Thunderwave!
Unseen!Servant!
Witch!Bolt

So I believe it to be an errata oversight. They forgot to change it in either the Quick Build or the spell list. The PHB spell list adds a little defense. So that’s why I'd bet the Quick Build based on the Alpha is incorrect. You could house rule it. The spell still makes sense. And it makes sense that an Alpha draft would be quite different than the final. It seems more aggressive.