As part of the action used to cast this spell, you must make a melee attack with a weapon against one creature within the spell's range, otherwise the spell fails. On a hit, the target suffers the attack's normal effects, and necrotic energy courses through your weapon, dealing an additional 1d10 necrotic damage to the target.

However, channeling this dark energy takes a toll on you. You suffer 1d4 necrotic damage. This damage cannot be mitigated or reduced by any means, including resistance or immunity to necrotic damage.

This spell’s damage increases when you reach higher levels:

• At 5th level, the melee attack deals an extra 2d10 necrotic damage to the target, and you take 2d4 necrotic damage.
• At 11th level, the melee attack deals an extra 3d10 necrotic damage to the target, and you take 3d4 necrotic damage.
• At 17th level, the melee attack deals an extra 4d10 necrotic damage to the target, and you take 4d4 necrotic damage.