The Oakveil Woodlands appeared on the horizon of Vardoran, and it came with various changes to V Rising. These alterations also mean vampires must adjust their magical repertoire to better deal with the new challenges. With that, keep reading, as we give you this V Rising Spell Tier List for Update 1.1 and beyond, allowing you to make an informed decision for your next build.

Top 10 Best Spells in V Rising, Ranked

Before going through with the following V Rising Spell Tier List for Update 1.1, it’s important to mention that the abilities mentioned below aim to identify some of the impactful spells in the game. Remember, this list intends to empower players and help them choose the ideal abilities for their builds. However, it doesn’t intend to be a conclusive catalog to provide vampires with sufficient flexibility in experimenting with different spell combinations.

10. Power Surge

• How to Unlock: Gain a Chaos Tier 1 Spell Point by defeating Errol the Stonebreaker, Lidia the Chaos Archer, or Morian the Stormwing Matriarch
• Magic School: Chaos
• Base Effect: Boost a target ally or self-applying a fading haste that increases movement speed by 15%, attack speed by 20%, and physical attacks inflict Ignite for 3s.
• Cooldown: 10 seconds
• Charges: 1
• Cast Time: 0.1 seconds

Before the Gloomrot Update, the Power Surge ability was used to conjure a shield that protected the user from spell damage. This effect is still available in Update 1.1, albeit as one of the Jewel Modifiers. Despite this nerf, Power Surge is still one of the best spells in V Rising. The additional movement speed and attack speed provide an offensive and defensive boost to the caster. In a V Rising multiplayer server, this ability's effect can be targeted at a nearby ally. However, its reasonably long cooldown of 10 seconds limits its usage. Still, it’s a good spell that promotes flexibility and versatility in combat.

9. Sanguine Coil

• How to Unlock: Gain a Blood Tier 2 Spell point by defeating Raziel the Shepherd, Baron du Bouchon the Sommelier, or Lucile the Venom Alchemist
• Magic School: Blood
• Base Effect: Launch a projectile that deals 80% magic damage, drains 30% health, and inflicts Leech. Heals ally hit for 120% and self for 30% of your spell power.
• Cooldown: 6 seconds
• Charges: 3
• Cast Time: 0.5 seconds

Like Power Surge, Sanguine Coil received a substantial nerf during the launch of the Gloomrot Update. Before, the healing received from hit enemies was 40%. Now, it’s down to 30%. Nonetheless, this versatile Blood Magic spell deals a healthy 80% magic damage to enemies, and then leeches 30% health from them as well. This ability also joins others in this tier list because of its excellent usage in PvP scenarios. In particular, targeting allies with Sanguine Coil heals them for 120% of your spell power while healing yourself for 30%. However, this ability’s hitbox is fairly small, making accuracy more crucial than using other spells. Additionally, players who wish to use this spell must sacrifice a skill slot to use it, sacrificing defense for offense. If so, this ability might not be ideal for those who favor aggressive combat.

8. Death Knight

• How to Unlock: Gain an Unholy Tier 2 Spell Point by defeating Kriig the Undead General, General Cassius the Betrayer, or Foultrot the Soultaker
• Magic School: Unholy
• Base Effect: Summon a Death Knight at the target location that attacks nearby enemies. Each swing deals 50% magic damage in an area and inflicts Condemn. The Death Knight lasts for 6s.
• Cooldown: 11 seconds
• Charges: 1
• Cast Time: 0.2 seconds

PvE can be brutal in V Rising, as a solo vampire wandering Vardoran can spell death. If so, call upon a servant of the underworld with the Death Knight ability. Casting this spell summons a spectral warrior to aid you in battle for 6 seconds. This unholy warrior's attack damage scales off the user's spell power. Spellcaster builds, like the summoner, allow the Death Knight to deal significant damage with each swing of its scythe. Note that the Death Knight has a life of its own, and can still die (again?) if its health falls to zero. This means that powerful V Blood Carriers, such as Dracula and Megara, can easily dispose of this summoned warrior. Nonetheless, players can summon this being to draw aggro from the enemy, which can be good for employing hit-and-run strategies.

7. Spectral Wolf

• How to Unlock: Gain an Illusion Tier 1 Spell Point by defeating Grayson the Armourer, Polora the Feywalker, or Maja the Dark Savant
• Magic School: Illusion
• Base Effect: Send out a Spectral wolf that bounces to a nearby enemy after each hit, up to 2 additional hits. Deals 140% magic damage on the first hit, subsequent hits deal 85% damage of the previous hit. Each hit inflicts Weaken and grants a stack of Phantasm.
• Cooldown: 8 seconds
• Charges: 1
• Cast Time: 0.7 seconds

As vampires tread deeper into the heart of Vardoran, more difficult challenges await. The Spectral Wolf ability can be a great ally in dealing with these strong enemies. Each hit from the Spectral Wolf applies Weaken to enemies, reducing their overall damage output and increasing your survival rate. Additionally, each hit gives the caster a stack of Phantasm, reducing the cooldown of other spells, allowing you to spam them sooner than later. The Spectral Wolf spell also has the shortest cooldown among other Illusion abilities. This way, it makes up for the low damage with high utility and synergy.

6. Frost Barrier

• How to Unlock: Gain a Frost Tier 2 Spell Point by defeating General Elena the Hollow, Ben the Old Wanderer, or Dantos the Forgebinder
• Magic School: Frost
• Base Effect: Block melee and projectile attacks in front of you for 2s. Conjures up to 8 frost spikes, dealing 50% magic damage and inflicting Chill when the barrier is struck. Recast during the effect to conjure a cone of cold, dealing 25% magical damage and inflicting Chill.
• Cooldown: 11 seconds
• Charges: 1
• Cast Time: 0.1 seconds

At first glance, the Frost Barrier ability might look like your run-of-the-mill defensive ice ability in V Rising Update 1.1. Remember, Chill and Freeze are exceptionally great in various combat scenarios, especially in PvP. In a PvP server, becoming frozen is a death sentence, but the same can be said to your enemies. With Frost Barrier, you can block melee and projectile attacks and Chill enemies who strike the shield. Alternatively, turn this ability into an offensive spell to hit enemies in front with icy death. Like other shield abilities, Frost Barrier is a directional blocking spell. So, avoid casting it randomly, or else you’ll leave your sides and back vulnerable.

5. Ward of the Damned

• How to Unlock: Gain an Unholy Tier 1 Spell Point by defeating Goreswine the Ravager, Leandra the Shadow Priestess, or Gaius the Cursed Champion
• Magic School: Unholy
• Base Effect: Block melee and projectile attacks in front of you for 2s. Absorbing an attack summons a skeleton, each consecutive attack absorbed has a 50% chance to summon an additional skeleton up to a maximum of 5. Enemy melee attackers are knocked back. Recast during the effect to launch a wave of energy dealing 25% magical damage and inflicting Condemn.
• Cooldown: 11 seconds
• Charges: 1
• Cast Time: 0.1 seconds

Vampires in V Rising can never have too many summoned minions in a fight. So, conjure additional skeleton fighters at your beck and call while blocking enemy attacks with the Ward of the Damned. As one of the best spells in V Rising Update 1.1, and perhaps beyond, the Ward of the Damned is a versatile defensive ability that may summon a skeleton with each hit. If recast, the shield unleashes a wave of Unholy magic, dealing a reasonable amount of spell damage to hit enemies. Despite the skeleton warriors being considerably weak, these summoned minions can distract bosses and mobs, easing pressure during combat. However, these summons die quickly, especially when fighting against late-game V Blood Bosses.

4. Chaos Barrage

• How to Unlock: Gain a Chaos Tier 3 Spell Point by defeating Quincey the Bandit King or Azariel the Sunbringer
• Magic School: Chaos
• Base Effect: Launch 4 Chaos projectiles that deal 200% magic damage on direct hit, 100% magic damage to enemies in an area, and inflicts Ignite.
• Cooldown: 120 seconds
• Charges: 1
• Cast Time: 1 second

Touted as one of the best ultimate spells in V Rising Update 1.1, Chaos Barrage deals massive spell damage to hit enemies and inflicts Ignite on them. Remember, opponents with the Ignite debuff will explode upon death, dealing additional damage to nearby enemies. Aside from dealing significant damage, Chaos Barrage knocks back and hits enemies, providing excellent crowd control. However, it's a channeling ability, which means those not hit by the hellish fireballs can attack you freely.

3. Raging Tempest

• How to Unlock: Gain a Storm Tier 3 Spell Point by defeating Octavian the Militia Captain or Henry the Blackbrew Doctor
• Magic School: Storm
• Base Effect: Dash forward and bounce between nearby enemies striking them for a total of 525% magic damage split across targets within the area over 3s. Additionally strikes all enemies in the area up to 4 times dealing 40% magic damage and inflicting Static. Afterward, dash towards your aim direction. Attack to end this effect early.
• Cooldown: 120 seconds
• Charges: 1
• Cast Time: 0.7 seconds

Unlike Chaos Barrage, Raging Tempest is an ultimate spell that doesn’t require it to be channeled. Instead, it’s a powerful dash ability that turns the user invincible for three seconds. During this time, enemies hit by the dash attack receive over 500% spell damage and are inflicted with the Static debuff. Remember, casters can no longer control the direction of the dash once this ability is in play. So, strategic positioning is vital to maximize AoE impact. If timed poorly, the user will become vulnerable to attacks, which can even lead to an early grave.

2. Crimson Beam

• How to Unlock: Gain a Blood Tier 3 Spell Point by defeating Tristan the Vampire Hunter or Wilfred the Werewolf Chief
• Magic School: Blood
• Base Effect: Channel a beam of energy that deals 275% magic damage and inflict Leech to enemies hit while healing allies for 200% of your spell power per second for up to 3s. Each target hit heals self for 75% of your spell power.
• Cooldown: 120 seconds
• Charges: 1
• Cast Time: 0.4 seconds

What do you get when you combine powerful healing with immense destructiveness? The result is Crimson Beam, an ultimate ability that can heal nearby allies for 200% of the user’s spell power. Additionally, it restores the health of the caster, albeit at a more modest 75%. Despite its significant usability in combat, the Crimson Beam spell requires the caster to stay still. If not properly aimed, the user will remain vulnerable for the entire duration of the spell. However, its usefulness outweighs its shortcomings, especially when you're up against powerful V Blood Carriers. In particular, it's ideal to use Crimson Beam against bosses that don't summon minions to their aid, allowing you to focus the deadly blood-riddled laser on that enemy.

1. Void

• How to Unlock: Gain a Chaos Tier 2 Spell Point by defeating Clive the Firestarter, Angram the Purifier, or Stavros the Carver
• Magic School: Chaos
• Base Effect: Summon an orb that explodes at the target location, dealing 90% magic damage, inflicting Ignite and pulls enemies towards the center.
• Cooldown: 9 seconds
• Charges: 2
• Cast Time: 0.3 seconds

Despite not being an ultimate spell, Void is arguably one of the best spells in V Rising Update 1.1, if not the top-ranking ability in the game. Once cast, an explosive orb pulls in enemies toward its center, inflicting Ignite. This effect also provides excellent utility, allowing players to chain other spells for maximum damage output. For example, cast Void at a crowd of enemies. Then, use another ability, like Crimson Beam, to ensure none survive from your spells. Despite the radius of this spell being reduced, Void is still a staple ability for many vampires in V Rising. Accurate or not, use this ability to help ensure victory in battle.