D&D Basic Rules, Version 1.0, Released November 2018

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Chapter 7: Using Ability Scores

Six abilities provide a quick description of every

Because ability modifiers affect almost every attack

creature’s physical and mental characteristics:

roll, ability check, and saving throw, ability modifiers

come up in play more often than their associated scores.

Strength, measuring physical power

Dexterity, measuring agility

Constitution, measuring endurance

Advantage and

Intelligence, measuring reasoning and memory

Disadvantage

Wisdom, measuring perception and insight

Charisma, measuring force of personality

Sometimes a special ability or spell tells you that you

have advantage or disadvantage on an ability check, a

Is a character muscle-bound and insightful? Brilliant and

saving throw, or an attack roll. When that happens, you

charming? Nimble and hardy? Ability scores define these

roll a second d20 when you make the roll. Use the higher

qualities—a creature’s assets as well as weaknesses.

of the two rolls if you have advantage, and use the lower

The three main rolls of the game—the ability check, the

roll if you have disadvantage. For example, if you have

saving throw, and the attack roll—rely on the six ability

disadvantage and roll a 17 and a 5, you use the 5. If you

scores. The book’s introduction describes the basic rule

instead have advantage and roll those numbers, you

behind these rolls: roll a d20, add an ability modifier de-

use the 17.

rived from one of the six ability scores, and compare the

If multiple situations affect a roll and each one grants

total to a target number.

advantage or imposes disadvantage on it, you don’t roll

This chapter focuses on how to use ability checks and

more than one additional d20. If two favorable situations

saving throws, covering the fundamental activities that

grant advantage, for example, you still roll only one addi-

creatures attempt in the game. Rules for attack rolls ap-

tional d20.

pear in chapter 9.

If circumstances cause a roll to have both advantage

and disadvantage, you are considered to have neither of

Ability Scores and

them, and you roll one d20. This is true even if multiple

circumstances impose disadvantage and only one grants

Modifiers

advantage or vice versa. In such a situation, you have nei-

Each of a creature’s abilities has a score, a number that

ther advantage nor disadvantage.

defines the magnitude of that ability. An ability score is

When you have advantage or disadvantage and some-

not just a measure of innate capabilities, but also encom-

thing in the game, such as the halfling’s Lucky trait, lets

passes a creature’s training and competence in activities

you reroll or replace the d20, you can reroll or replace

related to that ability.

only one of the dice. You choose which one. For example,

A score of 10 or 11 is the normal human average, but

if a halfling has advantage or disadvantage on an ability

adventurers and many monsters are a cut above average

check and rolls a 1 and a 13, the halfling could use the

in most abilities. A score of 18 is the highest that a per-

Lucky trait to reroll the 1.

son usually reaches. Adventurers can have scores as high

You usually gain advantage or disadvantage through

as 20, and monsters and divine beings can have scores as

the use of special abilities, actions, or spells. Inspiration

high as 30.

can also give a character advantage (as explained in

Each ability also has a modifier, derived from the score

chapter 4, “Personality and Background”). The DM can

and ranging from −5 (for an ability score of 1) to +10 (for

also decide that circumstances influence a roll in one

a score of 30). The Ability Scores and Modifiers table

direction or the other and grant advantage or impose dis-

notes the ability modifiers for the range of possible ability

advantage as a result.

scores, from 1 to 30.

To determine an ability modifier without consulting the

Proficiency Bonus

table, subtract 10 from the ability score and then divide

Characters have a proficiency bonus determined by level,

the total by 2 (round down).

as detailed in chapter 1. Monsters also have this bonus,

which is incorporated in their stat blocks. The bonus is

Ability Scores and Modifiers

used in the rules on ability checks, saving throws, and

Score

Modifier

Score

Modifier

attack rolls.

−5

16-17

Your proficiency bonus can’t be added to a single die

roll or other number more than once. For example, if two

2-3

−4

18-19

different rules say you can add your proficiency bonus to

4-5

−3

20-21

a Wisdom saving throw, you nevertheless add the bonus

6-7

−2

22-23

only once when you make the save.

8-9

−1

24-25

Occasionally, your proficiency bonus might be multi-

10-11

26-27

plied or divided (doubled or halved, for example) before

12-13

28-29

you apply it. For example, the rogue’s Expertise feature

14-15

+10

doubles the proficiency bonus for certain ability checks.

If a circumstance suggests that your proficiency bonus

Chapter 7: Using Ability Scores

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applies more than once to the same roll, you still add it

to a DC, they compare the totals of their two checks. The

only once and multiply or divide it only once.

participant with the higher check total wins the contest.

By the same token, if a feature or effect allows you to

That character or monster either succeeds at the action

multiply your proficiency bonus when making an ability

or prevents the other one from succeeding.

check that wouldn’t normally benefit from your profi-

If the contest results in a tie, the situation remains the

ciency bonus, you still don’t add the bonus to the check.

same as it was before the contest. Thus, one contestant

For that check your proficiency bonus is 0, given the fact

might win the contest by default. If two characters tie in

that multiplying 0 by any number is still 0. For instance, if

a contest to snatch a ring off the floor, neither character

you lack proficiency in the History skill, you gain no ben-

grabs it. In a contest between a monster trying to open

efit from a feature that lets you double your proficiency

a door and an adventurer trying to keep the door closed,

bonus when you make Intelligence (History) checks.

a tie means that the door remains shut.

In general, you don’t multiply your proficiency bonus for

attack rolls or saving throws. If a feature or effect allows

Skills

you to do so, these same rules apply.

Each ability covers a broad range of capabilities, includ-

ing skills that a character or a monster can be proficient

Ability Checks

in. A skill represents a specific aspect of an ability score,

and an individual’s proficiency in a skill demonstrates

An ability check tests a character’s or monster’s innate

a focus on that aspect. (A character’s starting skill pro-

talent and training in an effort to overcome a challenge.

ficiencies are determined at character creation, and a

The DM calls for an ability check when a character or

monster’s skill proficiencies appear in the monster’s

monster attempts an action (other than an attack) that

stat block.)

has a chance of failure. When the outcome is uncertain,

For example, a Dexterity check might reflect a char-

the dice determine the results.

acter’s attempt to pull off an acrobatic stunt, to palm an

For every ability check, the DM decides which of the six

object, or to stay hidden. Each of these aspects of Dexter-

abilities is relevant to the task at hand and the difficulty

ity has an associated skill: Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand,

of the task, represented by a Difficulty Class. The more

and Stealth, respectively. So a character who has profi-

difficult a task, the higher its DC. The Typical Difficulty

ciency in the Stealth skill is particularly good at Dexterity

Classes table shows the most common DCs.

checks related to sneaking and hiding.

The skills related to each ability score are shown in

Typical Difficulty Classes

the following list. (No skills are related to Constitution.)

Task Difficulty

See an ability’s description in the later sections of this

Very easy

chapter for examples of how to use a skill associated

Easy

with an ability.

Medium

Hard

Strength

Wisdom

Very hard

Athletics

Animal Handling

Nearly impossible

Insight

Dexterity

Medicine

Acrobatics

Perception

To make an ability check, roll a d20 and add the rel-

Sleight of Hand

Survival

evant ability modifier. As with other d20 rolls, apply

Stealth

bonuses and penalties, and compare the total to the DC.

Charisma

Intelligence

If the total equals or exceeds the DC, the ability check

Deception

Arcana

is a success—the creature overcomes the challenge at

Intimidation

History

hand. Otherwise, it’s a failure, which means the charac-

Performance

Investigation

ter or monster makes no progress toward the objective

Persuasion

Nature

or makes progress combined with a setback determined

Religion

by the DM.

Sometimes, the DM might ask for an ability check

Contests

using a specific skill—for example, “Make a Wisdom (Per-

Sometimes one character’s or monster’s efforts are di-

ception) check.” At other times, a player might ask the

rectly opposed to another’s. This can occur when both

DM if proficiency in a particular skill applies to a check.

of them are trying to do the same thing and only one can

In either case, proficiency in a skill means an individual

succeed, such as attempting to snatch up a magic ring

can add his or her proficiency bonus to ability checks that

that has fallen on the floor. This situation also applies

involve that skill. Without proficiency in the skill, the indi-

when one of them is trying to prevent the other one from

vidual makes a normal ability check.

accomplishing a goal—for example, when a monster tries

For example, if a character attempts to climb up a dan-

to force open a door that an adventurer is holding closed.

gerous cliff, the Dungeon Master might ask for a Strength

In situations like these, the outcome is determined by a

(Athletics) check. If the character is proficient in Ath-

special form of ability check, called a contest.

letics, the character’s proficiency bonus is added to the

Both participants in a contest make ability checks

Strength check. If the character lacks that proficiency, he

appropriate to their efforts. They apply all appropriate

or she just makes a Strength check.

bonuses and penalties, but instead of comparing the total

Chapter 7: Using Ability Scores

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Variant: Skills with Different Abilities

Group Checks

Normally, your proficiency in a skill applies only to a

When a number of individuals are trying to accomplish

specific kind of ability check. Proficiency in Athletics,

something as a group, the DM might ask for a group

for example, usually applies to Strength checks. In some

ability check. In such a situation, the characters who are

situations, though, your proficiency might reasonably

skilled at a particular task help cover those who aren’t.

apply to a different kind of check. In such cases, the DM

To make a group ability check, everyone in the group

might ask for a check using an unusual combination of

makes the ability check. If at least half the group

ability and skill, or you might ask your DM if you can ap-

succeeds, the whole group succeeds. Otherwise, the

ply a proficiency to a different check. For example, if you

group fails.

have to swim from an offshore island to the mainland,

Group checks don’t come up very often, and they’re

your DM might call for a Constitution check to see if you

most useful when all the characters succeed or fail as a

have the stamina to make it that far. In this case, your

group. For example, when adventurers are navigating a

DM might allow you to apply your proficiency in Athletics

swamp, the DM might call for a group Wisdom (Survival)

and ask for a Constitution (Athletics) check. So if you’re

check to see if the characters can avoid the quicksand,

proficient in Athletics, you apply your proficiency bonus to

sinkholes, and other natural hazards of the environment.

the Constitution check just as you would normally do for

If at least half the group succeeds, the successful char-

a Strength (Athletics) check. Similarly, when your dwarf

acters are able to guide their companions out of danger.

fighter uses a display of raw strength to intimidate an

Otherwise, the group stumbles into one of these hazards.

enemy, your DM might ask for a Strength (Intimidation)

check, even though Intimidation is normally associated

Using Each Ability

with Charisma.

Every task that a character or monster might attempt

in the game is covered by one of the six abilities. This

Passive Checks

section explains in more detail what those abilities mean

A passive check is a special kind of ability check that

and the ways they are used in the game.

doesn’t involve any die rolls. Such a check can represent

the average result for a task done repeatedly, such as

Strength

searching for secret doors over and over again, or can be

Strength measures bodily power, athletic training, and

used when the DM wants to secretly determine whether

the extent to which you can exert raw physical force.

the characters succeed at something without rolling dice,

such as noticing a hidden monster.

Strength Checks

Here’s how to determine a character’s total for a pas-

A Strength check can model any attempt to lift, push,

sive check:

pull, or break something, to force your body through a

10 + all modifiers that normally apply to the check

space, or to otherwise apply brute force to a situation.

The Athletics skill reflects aptitude in certain kinds of

If the character has advantage on the check, add 5. For

Strength checks.

disadvantage, subtract 5. The game refers to a passive

Athletics. Your Strength (Athletics) check covers

check total as a score.

difficult situations you encounter while climbing,

For example, if a 1st-level character has a Wisdom of

jumping, or swimming. Examples include the

15 and proficiency in Perception, he or she has a passive

following activities:

Wisdom (Perception) score of 14.

The rules on hiding in the “Dexterity” section below

• You attempt to climb a sheer or slippery cliff, avoid

rely on passive checks, as do the exploration rules in

hazards while scaling a wall, or cling to a surface while

chapter 8.

something is trying to knock you off.

• You try to jump an unusually long distance or pull

Working Together

off a stunt midjump.

• You struggle to swim or stay afloat in treacherous cur-

Sometimes two or more characters team up to attempt a

rents, storm-tossed waves, or areas of thick seaweed.

task. The character who’s leading the effort—or the one

Or another creature tries to push or pull you underwa-

with the highest ability modifier—can make an ability

ter or otherwise interfere with your swimming.

check with advantage, reflecting the help provided by the

other characters. In combat, this requires the Help action

Other Strength Checks. The DM might also call for

(see chapter 9).

a Strength check when you try to accomplish tasks like

A character can only provide help if the task is one that

the following:

he or she could attempt alone. For example, trying to open

• Force open a stuck, locked, or barred door

a lock requires proficiency with thieves’ tools, so a charac-

• Break free of bonds

ter who lacks that proficiency can’t help another character

• Push through a tunnel that is too small

in that task. Moreover, a character can help only when two

• Hang on to a wagon while being dragged behind it

or more individuals working together would actually be

• Tip over a statue

productive. Some tasks, such as threading a needle, are no

• Keep a boulder from rolling

easier with help.

Chapter 7: Using Ability Scores

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Attack Rolls and Damage

Hiding

You add your Strength modifier to your attack roll and

The DM decides when circumstances are appropriate for

your damage roll when attacking with a melee weapon

hiding. When you try to hide, make a Dexterity (Stealth)

such as a mace, a battleaxe, or a javelin. You use me-

check. Until you are discovered or you stop hiding, that

check’s total is contested by the Wisdom (Perception)

lee weapons to make melee attacks in hand-to-hand

check of any creature that actively searches for signs of

combat, and some of them can be thrown to make a

your presence.

ranged attack.

You can’t hide from a creature that can see you clearly,

and you give away your position if you make noise, such as

Lifting and Carrying

shouting a warning or knocking over a vase. An invisible

Your Strength score determines the amount of weight

creature can’t be seen, so it can always try to hide. Signs of

you can bear. The following terms define what you can

its passage might still be noticed, however, and it still has

lift or carry.

to stay quiet.

Carrying Capacity. Your carrying capacity is your

In combat, most creatures stay alert for signs of danger

Strength score multiplied by 15. This is the weight (in

all around, so if you come out of hiding and approach

pounds) that you can carry, which is high enough that

a creature, it usually sees you. However, under certain

circumstances, the Dungeon Master might allow you to

most characters don’t usually have to worry about it.

stay hidden as you approach a creature that is distracted,

Push, Drag, or Lift. You can push, drag, or lift a weight

allowing you to gain advantage on an attack before

in pounds up to twice your carrying capacity (or 30 times

you are seen.

your Strength score). While pushing or dragging weight

Passive Perception. When you hide, there’s a chance

in excess of your carrying capacity, your speed drops

someone will notice you even if they aren’t searching. To

to 5 feet.

determine whether such a creature notices you, the DM

Size and Strength. Larger creatures can bear more

compares your Dexterity (Stealth) check with that creature’s

weight, whereas Tiny creatures can carry less. For each

passive Wisdom (Perception) score, which equals 10 + the

size category above Medium, double the creature’s carry-

creature’s Wisdom modifier, as well as any other bonuses

ing capacity and the amount it can push, drag, or lift. For

or penalties. If the creature has advantage, add 5. For

disadvantage, subtract 5.

a Tiny creature, halve these weights.

For example, if a 1st-level character (with a proficiency

Variant: Encumbrance

bonus of +2) has a Wisdom of 15 (a +2 modifier) and

proficiency in Perception, he or she has a passive Wisdom

The rules for lifting and carrying are intentionally sim-

(Perception) of 14.

ple. Here is a variant if you are looking for more detailed

What Can You See? One of the main factors in

rules for determining how a character is hindered by the

determining whether you can find a hidden creature or

weight of equipment. When you use this variant, ignore

object is how well you can see in an area, which might be

the Strength column of the Armor table in chapter 5.

lightly or heavily obscured, as explained in chapter 8.

If you carry weight in excess of 5 times your Strength

score, you are encumbered, which means your speed

determine whether you can lift a coin purse off another

drops by 10 feet.

person or slip something out of another

If you carry weight in excess of 10 times your Strength

person’s pocket.

score, up to your maximum carrying capacity, you are

Stealth. Make a Dexterity (Stealth) check when you

instead heavily encumbered, which means your speed

attempt to conceal yourself from enemies, slink past

drops by 20 feet and you have disadvantage on ability

guards, slip away without being noticed, or sneak up on

checks, attack rolls, and saving throws that use Strength,

someone without being seen or heard.

Dexterity, or Constitution.

Other Dexterity Checks. The DM might call for a

Dexterity check when you try to accomplish tasks like

Dexterity

the following:

Dexterity measures agility, reflexes, and balance.

• Control a heavily laden cart on a steep descent

Dexterity Checks

• Steer a chariot around a tight turn

• Pick a lock

A Dexterity check can model any attempt to move nimbly,

• Disable a trap

quickly, or quietly, or to keep from falling on tricky foot-

• Securely tie up a prisoner

ing. The Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth skills

• Wriggle free of bonds

reflect aptitude in certain kinds of Dexterity checks.

• Play a stringed instrument

Acrobatics. Your Dexterity (Acrobatics) check covers

• Craft a small or detailed object

your attempt to stay on your feet in a tricky situation, such

as when you’re trying to run across a sheet of ice, balance

Attack Rolls and Damage

on a tightrope, or stay upright on a rocking ship’s deck.

You add your Dexterity modifier to your attack roll and

The DM might also call for a Dexterity (Acrobatics) check

your damage roll when attacking with a ranged weapon,

to see if you can perform acrobatic stunts, including

such as a sling or a longbow. You can also add your Dex-

dives, rolls, somersaults, and flips.

terity modifier to your attack roll and your damage roll

Sleight of Hand. Whenever you attempt an act of leger-

when attacking with a melee weapon that has the finesse

demain or manual trickery, such as planting something

property, such as a dagger or a rapier.

on someone else or concealing an object on your per-

son, make a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check. The DM

might also call for a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check to

Chapter 7: Using Ability Scores

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Armor Class

legendary people, ancient kingdoms, past disputes, re-

Depending on the armor you wear, you might add some

cent wars, and lost civilizations.

or all of your Dexterity modifier to your Armor Class,

Investigation. When you look around for clues and

as described in chapter 5.

make deductions based on those clues, you make an

Intelligence (Investigation) check. You might deduce the

Initiative

location of a hidden object, discern from the appearance

At the beginning of every combat, you roll initiative by

of a wound what kind of weapon dealt it, or determine the

making a Dexterity check. Initiative determines the order

weakest point in a tunnel that could cause it to collapse.

of creatures’ turns in combat, as described in chapter 9.

Poring through ancient scrolls in search of a hidden

fragment of knowledge might also call for an Intelligence

Constitution

(Investigation) check.

Nature. Your Intelligence (Nature) check measures

Constitution measures health, stamina, and vital force.

your ability to recall lore about terrain, plants and ani-

Constitution Checks

mals, the weather, and natural cycles.

Constitution checks are uncommon, and no skills apply

Religion. Your Intelligence (Religion) check measures

to Constitution checks, because the endurance this abil-

your ability to recall lore about deities, rites and prayers,

ity represents is largely passive rather than involving a

religious hierarchies, holy symbols, and the practices

specific effort on the part of a character or monster. A

of secret cults.

Constitution check can model your attempt to push be-

Other Intelligence Checks. The DM might call for an

yond normal limits, however.

Intelligence check when you try to accomplish tasks like

The DM might call for a Constitution check when you

the following:

try to accomplish tasks like the following:

• Communicate with a creature without using words

• Hold your breath

• Estimate the value of a precious item

• March or labor for hours without rest

• Pull together a disguise to pass as a city guard

• Go without sleep

• Forge a document

• Survive without food or water

• Recall lore about a craft or trade

• Quaff an entire stein of ale in one go

• Win a game of skill

Hit Points

Spellcasting Ability

Your Constitution modifier contributes to your hit points.

Wizards use Intelligence as their spellcasting ability,

Typically, you add your Constitution modifier to each Hit

which helps determine the saving throw DCs of spells

Die you roll for your hit points.

they cast.

If your Constitution modifier changes, your hit point

maximum changes as well, as though you had the new

Wisdom

modifier from 1st level. For example, if you raise your

Wisdom reflects how attuned you are to the world around

Constitution score when you reach 4th level and your

you and represents perceptiveness and intuition.

Constitution modifier increases from +1 to +2, you ad-

just your hit point maximum as though the modifier had

Wisdom Checks

always been +2. So you add 3 hit points for your first

A Wisdom check might reflect an effort to read body

three levels, and then roll your hit points for 4th level

language, understand someone’s feelings, notice things

using your new modifier. Or if you’re 7th level and some

about the environment, or care for an injured person.

effect lowers your Constitution score so as to reduce your

The Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, and

Constitution modifier by 1, your hit point maximum is

Survival skills reflect aptitude in certain kinds of Wis-

reduced by 7.

dom checks.

Animal Handling. When there is any question whether

Intelligence

you can calm down a domesticated animal, keep a mount

Intelligence measures mental acuity, accuracy of recall,

and the ability to reason.

Finding a Hidden Object

When your character searches for a hidden object such as

Intelligence Checks

a secret door or a trap, the DM typically asks you to make

An Intelligence check comes into play when you need

a Wisdom (Perception) check. Such a check can be used to

to draw on logic, education, memory, or deductive rea-

find hidden details or other information and clues that you

soning. The Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, and

might otherwise overlook.

In most cases, you need to describe where you are looking

Religion skills reflect aptitude in certain kinds of Intelli-

in order for the DM to determine your chance of success.

gence checks.

For example, a key is hidden beneath a set of folded clothes

Arcana. Your Intelligence (Arcana) check measures

in the top drawer of a bureau. If you tell the DM that you

your ability to recall lore about spells, magic items,

pace around the room, looking at the walls and furniture for

eldritch symbols, magical traditions, the planes of exis-

clues, you have no chance of finding the key, regardless of

tence, and the inhabitants of those planes.

your Wisdom (Perception) check result. You would have to

History. Your Intelligence (History) check mea-

specify that you were opening the drawers or searching the

sures your ability to recall lore about historical events,

bureau in order to have any chance of success.

Chapter 7: Using Ability Scores

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from getting spooked, or intuit an animal’s intentions, the

violence, the DM might ask you to make a Charisma

DM might call for a Wisdom (Animal Handling) check.

(Intimidation) check. Examples include trying to pry in-

You also make a Wisdom (Animal Handling) check to con-

formation out of a prisoner, convincing street thugs

trol your mount when you attempt a risky maneuver.

to back down from a confrontation, or using the edge of

Insight. Your Wisdom (Insight) check decides whether

a broken bottle to convince a sneering vizier to recon-

you can determine the true intentions of a creature, such

sider a decision.

as when searching out a lie or predicting someone’s next

Performance. Your Charisma (Performance) check

move. Doing so involves gleaning clues from body lan-

determines how well you can delight an audience with

guage, speech habits, and changes in mannerisms.

music, dance, acting, storytelling, or some other form of

Medicine. A Wisdom (Medicine) check lets you try to

entertainment.

stabilize a dying companion or diagnose an illness.

Persuasion. When you attempt to influence someone

Perception. Your Wisdom (Perception) check lets you

or a group of people with tact, social graces, or good

spot, hear, or otherwise detect the presence of something.

nature, the DM might ask you to make a Charisma

It measures your general awareness of

(Persuasion) check. Typically, you use persuasion when

your surroundings and the keenness of your senses.

acting in good faith, to foster friendships, make cordial

For example, you might try to hear a conversation through

requests, or exhibit proper etiquette. Examples of per-

a closed door, eavesdrop under an open window, or hear

suading others include convincing a chamberlain to let

monsters moving stealthily in the forest. Or you might try

your party see the king, negotiating peace between war-

to spot things that are obscured or easy to miss, whether

ring tribes, or inspiring a crowd of townsfolk.

they are orcs lying in ambush on a road, thugs hiding in

Other Charisma Checks. The DM might call for a

the shadows of an alley, or candlelight under a closed

Charisma check when you try to accomplish tasks like

secret door.

the following:

Survival. The DM might ask you to make a Wisdom

• Find the best person to talk to for news,

(Survival) check to follow tracks, hunt wild game, guide

rumors, and gossip

your group through frozen wastelands, identify signs that

• Blend into a crowd to get the sense of key topics

owlbears live nearby, predict the weather, or avoid quick-

of conversation

sand and other natural hazards.

Other Wisdom Checks. The DM might call for a

Spellcasting Ability

Wisdom check when you try to accomplish tasks like

Bards, paladins, sorcerers, and warlocks use Charisma

the following:

as their spellcasting ability, which helps determine the

• Get a gut feeling about what course of action to follow

saving throw DCs of spells they cast.

• Discern whether a seemingly dead or living crea-

ture is undead

Saving Throws

A saving throw—also called a save—represents an at-

Spellcasting Ability

tempt to resist a spell, a trap, a poison, a disease, or

Clerics use Wisdom as their spellcasting ability, which

a similar threat. You don’t normally decide to make a

helps determine the saving throw DCs of spells they cast.

saving throw; you are forced to make one because your

character or monster is at risk of harm.

Charisma

To make a saving throw, roll a d20 and add the ap-

Charisma measures your ability to interact effectively

propriate ability modifier. For example, you use your

with others. It includes such factors as confidence and

Dexterity modifier for a Dexterity saving throw.

eloquence, and it can represent a charming or command-

A saving throw can be modified by a situational

ing personality.

bonus or penalty and can be affected by advantage

and disadvantage, as determined by the DM.

Charisma Checks

Each class gives proficiency in at least two saving

A Charisma check might arise when you try to influence

throws. The wizard, for example, is proficient in Intelli-

or entertain others, when you try to make an impres-

gence saves. As with skill proficiencies, proficiency in a

sion or tell a convincing lie, or when you are navigating

saving throw lets a character add his or her proficiency bo-

a tricky social situation. The Deception, Intimidation,

nus to saving throws made using a particular ability score.

Performance, and Persuasion skills reflect aptitude in

Some monsters have saving throw proficiencies as well.

certain kinds of Charisma checks.

The Difficulty Class for a saving throw is determined by

Deception. Your Charisma (Deception) check deter-

the effect that causes it. For example, the DC for a saving

mines whether you can convincingly hide the truth, either

throw allowed by a spell is determined by the caster’s

verbally or through your actions. This deception can

spellcasting ability and proficiency bonus.

encompass everything from misleading others through

The result of a successful or failed saving throw is also

ambiguity to telling outright lies. Typical situations in-

detailed in the effect that allows the save. Usually, a suc-

clude trying to fast-talk a guard, con a merchant, earn

cessful save means that a creature suffers no harm, or

money through gambling, pass yourself off in a disguise,

reduced harm, from an effect.

dull someone’s suspicions with false assurances, or main-

tain a straight face while telling a blatant lie.

Intimidation. When you attempt to influence some-

one through overt threats, hostile actions, and physical

Chapter 7: Using Ability Scores

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Chapter 8: Adventuring

Delving into the ancient Tomb of Horrors, slipping

Movement

through the back alleys of Waterdeep, hacking a fresh

Swimming across a rushing river, sneaking down a dun-

trail through the thick jungles on the Isle of Dread—these

geon corridor, scaling a treacherous mountain slope—all

are the things that Dungeons & Dragons adventures

sorts of movement play a key role in D&D adventures.

are made of. Your character in the game might explore

The DM can summarize the adventurers’ movement

forgotten ruins and uncharted lands, uncover dark se-

without calculating exact distances or travel times: “You

crets and sinister plots, and slay foul monsters. And if

travel through the forest and find the dungeon entrance

all goes well, your character will survive to claim rich

late in the evening of the third day.” Even in a dungeon,

rewards before embarking on a new adventure.

particularly a large dungeon or a cave network, the DM

This chapter covers the basics of the adventuring life,

can summarize movement between encounters: “After

from the mechanics of movement to the complexities of

killing the guardian at the entrance to the ancient dwar-

social interaction. The rules for resting are also in this

ven stronghold, you consult your map, which leads you

chapter, along with a discussion of the activities your

through miles of echoing corridors to a chasm bridged by

character might pursue between adventures.

a narrow stone arch.”

Whether adventurers are exploring a dusty dungeon

Sometimes it’s important, though, to know how long it

or the complex relationships of a royal court, the game

takes to get from one spot to another, whether the answer

follows a natural rhythm, as outlined in the book’s

is in days, hours, or minutes. The rules for determining

introduction:

travel time depend on two factors: the speed and travel

1. The DM describes the environment.

pace of the creatures moving and the terrain they’re

2. The players describe what they want to do.

moving over.

3. The DM narrates the results of their actions.

Typically, the DM uses a map as an outline of the adven-

Speed

ture, tracking the characters’ progress as they explore

Every character and monster has a speed, which is the

dungeon corridors or wilderness regions. The DM’s

distance in feet that the character or monster can walk in

notes, including a key to the map, describe what the ad-

1 round. This number assumes short bursts of energetic

venturers find as they enter each new area. Sometimes,

movement in the midst of a life-threatening situation.

the passage of time and the adventurers’ actions deter-

The following rules determine how far a character

mine what happens, so the DM might use a timeline or a

or monster can move in a minute, an hour, or a day.

flowchart to track their progress instead of a map.

Travel Pace

Time

While traveling, a group of adventurers can move at a

normal, fast, or slow pace, as shown on the Travel Pace

In situations where keeping track of the passage of time

table. The table states how far the party can move in a

is important, the DM determines the time a task requires.

period of time and whether the pace has any effect. A fast

The DM might use a different time scale depending on

pace makes characters less perceptive, while a slow pace

the context of the situation at hand. In a dungeon envi-

makes it possible to sneak around and to search an area

ronment, the adventurers’ movement happens on a scale

more carefully (see the “Activity While Traveling” section

of minutes. It takes them about a minute to creep down

later in this chapter for more information).

a long hallway, another minute to check for traps on

Forced March. The Travel Pace table assumes that

the door at the end of the hall, and a good ten minutes

characters travel for 8 hours in day. They can push on be-

to search the chamber beyond for anything interesting

yond that limit, at the risk of exhaustion.

or valuable.

For each additional hour of travel beyond 8 hours,

In a city or wilderness, a scale of hours is often more

the characters cover the distance shown in the Hour

appropriate. Adventurers eager to reach the lonely tower

column for their pace, and each character must make a

at the heart of the forest hurry across those fifteen miles

Constitution saving throw at the end of the hour. The DC

in just under four hours’ time.

is 10 + 1 for each hour past 8 hours. On a failed saving

For long journeys, a scale of days works best. Fol-

throw, a character suffers one level of exhaustion (see

lowing the road from Baldur’s Gate to Waterdeep, the

appendix A).

adventurers spend four uneventful days before a goblin

Mounts and Vehicles. For short spans of time (up to an

ambush interrupts their journey.

hour), many animals move much faster than humanoids.

In combat and other fast-paced situations, the game

A mounted character can ride at a gallop for about an

relies on rounds, a 6-second span of time described in

hour, covering twice the usual distance for a fast pace. If

chapter 9.

fresh mounts are available every 8 to 10 miles, characters

can cover larger distances at this pace, but this is very

rare except in densely populated areas.

Characters in wagons, carriages, or other land vehicles

choose a pace as normal. Characters in a waterborne

vessel are limited to the speed of the vessel (see chapter

Chapter 8: Adventuring

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5), and they don’t suffer penalties for a fast pace or gain

When you land in difficult terrain, you must succeed on

benefits from a slow pace. Depending on the vessel and

a DC 10 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to land on your feet.

the size of the crew, ships might be able to travel for up to

Otherwise, you land prone.

24 hours per day.

High Jump. When you make a high jump, you leap

Certain special mounts, such as a pegasus or griffon,

into the air a number of feet equal to 3 + your Strength

or special vehicles, such as a carpet of flying, allow you

modifier (minimum of 0 feet) if you move at least 10 feet

to travel more swiftly. The Dungeon Master’s Guide con-

on foot immediately before the jump. When you make a

tains more information on special methods of travel.

standing high jump, you can jump only half that distance.

Either way, each foot you clear on the jump costs a foot of

Travel Pace

movement. In some circumstances, your DM might allow

you to make a Strength (Athletics) check to jump higher

Distance Traveled per . . .

than you normally can.

Pace

Minute Hour

Day Effect

You can extend your arms half your height above your-

Fast

400 feet

4 miles

30 miles

−5 penalty to

self during the jump. Thus, you can reach above you a

passive Wisdom

distance equal to the height of the jump plus 1½ times

(Perception) scores

your height.

Normal

300 feet

3 miles

24 miles

—

Slow

200 feet

2 miles

18 miles Able to use stealth

Activity While Traveling

As adventurers travel through a dungeon or the wil-

derness, they need to remain alert for danger, and

Difficult Terrain

some characters might perform other tasks to help

The travel speeds given in the Travel Pace table assume

the group’s journey.

relatively simple terrain: roads, open plains, or clear dun-

geon corridors. But adventurers often face dense forests,

Marching Order

deep swamps, rubble-filled ruins, steep mountains, and

The adventurers should establish a marching order. A

ice-covered ground—all considered difficult terrain.

marching order makes it easier to determine which char-

You move at half speed in difficult terrain—moving

acters are affected by traps, which ones can spot hidden

1 foot in difficult terrain costs 2 feet of speed—so you

enemies, and which ones are the closest to those ene-

can cover only half the normal distance in a minute,

mies when a fight breaks out.

an hour, or a day.

A character might occupy the front rank, one or more

middle ranks, or the back rank. Characters in the front

Special Types of Movement

and back ranks need enough room to travel side by side

Movement through dangerous dungeons or wilderness

with others in their rank. When space is too tight, the

areas often involves more than simply walking. Adven-

marching order must change, usually by moving charac-

turers might have to climb, crawl, swim, or jump to get

ters to a middle rank.

where they need to go.

Fewer Than Three Ranks. If an adventuring party

arranges its marching order with only two ranks, they

Climbing, Swimming, and Crawling

are a front rank and a back rank. If there’s only one rank,

Each foot of movement costs 1 extra foot (2 extra feet

it’s considered a front rank.

in difficult terrain) when you’re climbing, swimming, or

crawling. You ignore this extra cost if you have a climbing

Stealth

speed and use it to climb or a swimming speed and use it

While traveling at a slow pace, the characters can move

to swim. At the DM’s option, climbing a slippery vertical

stealthily. As long as they’re not in the open, they can try

surface or one with few handholds requires a successful

to surprise or sneak by other creatures they encounter.

Strength (Athletics) check. Similarly, gaining any dis-

See the rules for hiding in chapter 7.

tance in rough water might require a successful Strength

(Athletics) check.

Splitting Up the Party

Jumping

Sometimes, it makes sense to split an adventuring party,

especially if you want one or more characters to scout

Your Strength determines how far you can jump.

ahead. You can form multiple parties, each moving at a

Long Jump. When you make a long jump, you cover a

different speed. Each group has its own front, middle,

number of feet up to your Strength score if you move at

and back ranks.

least 10 feet on foot immediately before the jump. When

The drawback to this approach is that the party will be

you make a standing long jump, you can leap only half

split into several smaller groups in the event of an attack.

that distance. Either way, each foot you clear on the jump

The advantage is that a small group of stealthy characters

costs a foot of movement.

moving slowly might be able to sneak past enemies that

This rule assumes that the height of your jump doesn’t

clumsier characters would alert. A pair of rogues moving at

matter, such as a jump across a stream or chasm. At

a slow pace are much harder to detect when they leave their

dwarf fighter friend behind.

your DM’s option, you must succeed on a DC 10 Strength

(Athletics) check to clear a low obstacle (no taller than a

quarter of the jump’s distance), such as a hedge or low

wall. Otherwise, you hit it.

Chapter 8: Adventuring

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noticing Threats

The creature lands prone, unless it avoids taking damage

Use the passive Wisdom (Perception) scores of the char-

from the fall.

acters to determine whether anyone in the group notices

a hidden threat. The DM might decide that a threat can

Suffocating

be noticed only by characters in a particular rank. For ex-

A creature can hold its breath for a number of minutes

ample, as the characters are exploring a maze of tunnels,

equal to 1 + its Constitution modifier (minimum of

the DM might decide that only those characters in the

30 seconds).

back rank have a chance to hear or spot a stealthy crea-

When a creature runs out of breath or is choking, it can

ture following the group, while characters in the front

survive for a number of rounds equal to its Constitution

and middle ranks cannot.

modifier (minimum of 1 round). At the start of its next

While traveling at a fast pace, characters take a -5

turn, it drops to 0 hit points and is dying, and it can’t re-

penalty to their passive Wisdom (Perception) scores

gain hit points or be stabilized until it can breathe again.

to notice hidden threats.

For example, a creature with a Constitution of 14 can

Encountering Creatures. If the DM determines that

hold its breath for 3 minutes. If it starts suffocating, it has

the adventurers encounter other creatures while they’re

2 rounds to reach air before it drops to 0 hit points.

traveling, it’s up to both groups to decide what happens

next. Either group might decide to attack, initiate a

Vision and Light

conversation, run away, or wait to see what the other

The most fundamental tasks of adventuring—noticing

group does.

danger, finding hidden objects, hitting an enemy in com-

Surprising Foes. If the adventurers encounter a hostile

bat, and targeting a spell, to name just a few—rely heavily

creature or group, the DM determines whether the ad-

on a character’s ability to see. Darkness and other effects

venturers or their foes might be surprised when combat

that obscure vision can prove a significant hindrance.

erupts. See chapter 9 for more about surprise.

A given area might be lightly or heavily obscured. In a

lightly obscured area, such as dim light, patchy fog, or

Other Activities

moderate foliage, creatures have disadvantage on Wis-

Characters who turn their attention to other tasks as the

dom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

group travels are not focused on watching for danger.

A heavily obscured area—such as darkness, opaque

These characters don’t contribute their passive Wisdom

fog, or dense foliage—blocks vision entirely. A creature ef-

(Perception) scores to the group’s chance of noticing

fectively suffers from the blinded condition (see appendix

hidden threats. However, a character not watching for

A) when trying to see something in that area.

danger can do one of the following activities instead, or

The presence or absence of light in an environment

some other activity with the DM’s permission.

creates three categories of illumination: bright light, dim

Navigate. The character can try to prevent the group

light, and darkness.

from becoming lost, making a Wisdom (Survival) check

Bright light lets most creatures see normally. Even

when the DM calls for it. (The Dungeon Master’s Guide

gloomy days provide bright light, as do torches, lanterns,

has rules to determine whether the group gets lost.)

fires, and other sources of illumination within a spe-

Draw a Map. The character can draw a map that

cific radius.

records the group’s progress and helps the characters

Dim light, also called shadows, creates a lightly ob-

get back on course if they get lost. No ability check

scured area. An area of dim light is usually a boundary

is required.

between a source of bright light, such as a torch, and sur-

Track. A character can follow the tracks of another

rounding darkness. The soft light of twilight and dawn

creature, making a Wisdom (Survival) check when the

also counts as dim light. A particularly brilliant full moon

DM calls for it. (The Dungeon Master’s Guide has rules

might bathe the land in dim light.

for tracking.)

Darkness creates a heavily obscured area. Charac-

Forage. The character can keep an eye out for ready

ters face darkness outdoors at night (even most moonlit

sources of food and water, making a Wisdom (Survival)

nights), within the confines of an unlit dungeon or a sub-

check when the DM calls for it. (The Dungeon Master’s

terranean vault, or in an area of magical darkness.

Guide has rules for foraging.)

Blindsight

The Environment

A creature with blindsight can perceive its surroundings

By its nature, adventuring involves delving into places

without relying on sight, within a specific radius. Crea-

that are dark, dangerous, and full of mysteries to be ex-

tures without eyes, such as oozes, and creatures with

plored. The rules in this section cover some of the most

echolocation or heightened senses, such as bats and true

important ways in which adventurers interact with the en-

dragons, have this sense.

vironment in such places. The Dungeon Master’s Guide

Darkvision

has rules covering more unusual situations.

Many creatures in the worlds of D&D, especially those

Falling

that dwell underground, have darkvision. Within a speci-

fied range, a creature with darkvision can see in dim light

A fall from a great height is one of the most common haz-

as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim

ards facing an adventurer.

light, so areas of darkness are only lightly obscured as far

At the end of a fall, a creature takes 1d6 bludgeoning

as that creature is concerned. However, the creature can’t

damage for every 10 feet it fell, to a maximum of 20d6.

discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Chapter 8: Adventuring

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Truesight

immune to effects that require other saves. When an ob-

A creature with truesight can, out to a specific range,

ject drops to 0 hit points, it breaks.

see in normal and magical darkness, see invisible

A character can also attempt a Strength check to break

creatures and objects, automatically detect visual il-

an object. The DM sets the DC for any such check.

lusions and succeed on saving throws against them,

and perceive the original form of a shapechanger or a

Social Interaction

creature that is transformed by magic. Furthermore,

Exploring dungeons, overcoming obstacles, and slay-

the creature can see into the Ethereal Plane.

ing monsters are key parts of D&D adventures. No less

important, though, are the social interactions that adven-

Food and Water

turers have with other inhabitants of the world.

Characters who don’t eat or drink suffer the effects of

Interaction takes on many forms. You might need to

exhaustion (see appendix A). Exhaustion caused by lack

convince an unscrupulous thief to confess to some mal-

of food or water can’t be removed until the character eats

feasance, or you might try to flatter a dragon so that it

and drinks the full required amount.

will spare your life. The DM assumes the roles of any

characters who are participating in the interaction that

Food

don’t belong to another player at the table. Any such char-

A character needs one pound of food per day and can

acter is called a nonplayer character (NPC).

make food last longer by subsisting on half rations.

In general terms, an NPC’s attitude toward you is de-

Eating half a pound of food in a day counts as half a day

scribed as friendly, indifferent, or hostile. Friendly NPCs

without food.

are predisposed to help you, and hostile ones are inclined

A character can go without food for a number of days

to get in your way. It’s easier to get what you want from a

equal to 3 + his or her Constitution modifier (minimum

friendly NPC, of course.

1). At the end of each day beyond that limit, a character

Social interactions have two primary aspects: roleplay-

automatically suffers one level of exhaustion.

ing and ability checks.

A normal day of eating resets the count of days without

food to zero.

Roleplaying

Roleplaying is, literally, the act of playing out a role. In

Water

this case, it’s you as a player determining how your char-

A character needs one gallon of water per day, or two gal-

acter thinks, acts, and talks.

lons per day if the weather is hot. A character who drinks

Roleplaying is a part of every aspect of the game, and it

only half that much water must succeed on a DC 15 Con-

comes to the fore during social interactions. Your charac-

stitution saving throw or suffer one level of exhaustion at

ter’s quirks, mannerisms, and personality influence how

the end of the day. A character with access to even less

interactions resolve.

water automatically suffers one level of exhaustion at the

There are two styles you can use when roleplaying your

end of the day.

character: the descriptive approach and the active ap-

If the character already has one or more levels of ex-

proach. Most players use a combination of the two styles.

haustion, the character takes two levels in either case.

Use whichever mix of the two works best for you.

Interacting with Objects

Descriptive Approach to Roleplaying

A character’s interaction with objects in an environment

With this approach, you describe your character’s words

is often simple to resolve in the game. The player tells the

and actions to the DM and the other players. Drawing on

DM that his or her character is doing something, such

your mental image of your character, you tell everyone

as moving a lever, and the DM describes what, if any-

what your character does and how he or she does it.

thing, happens.

For instance, Chris plays Tordek the dwarf. Tordek has

For example, a character might decide to pull a lever,

a quick temper and blames the elves of the Cloakwood

which might, in turn, raise a portcullis, cause a room to

for his family’s misfortune. At a tavern, an obnoxious elf

flood with water, or open a secret door in a nearby wall. If

minstrel sits at Tordek’s table and tries to strike up a con-

the lever is rusted in position, though, a character might

versation with the dwarf.

need to force it. In such a situation, the DM might call

Chris says, “Tordek spits on the floor, growls an insult

for a Strength check to see whether the character can

at the bard, and stomps over to the bar. He sits on a stool

wrench the lever into place. The DM sets the DC for any

and glares at the minstrel before ordering another drink.”

such check based on the difficulty of the task.

In this example, Chris has conveyed Tordek’s mood

Characters can also damage objects with their weap-

and given the DM a clear idea of his character’s attitude

ons and spells. Objects are immune to poison and

and actions.

psychic damage, but otherwise they can be affected by

When using descriptive roleplaying, keep the following

physical and magical attacks much like creatures can.

things in mind:

The DM determines an object’s Armor Class and hit

• Describe your character’s emotions and attitude.

points, and might decide that certain objects have resis-

• Focus on your character’s intent and how others

tance or immunity to certain kinds of attacks. (It’s hard

might perceive it.

to cut a rope with a club, for example.) Objects always

• Provide as much embellishment as you feel

fail Strength and Dexterity saving throws, and they are

comfortable with.

Chapter 8: Adventuring

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don’t worry about getting things exactly right. Just fo-

Resting

cus on thinking about what your character would do and

Heroic though they might be, adventurers can’t spend

describing what you see in your mind.

every hour of the day in the thick of exploration, social in-

Active Approach to Roleplaying

teraction, and combat. They need rest—time to sleep and

If descriptive roleplaying tells your DM and your fellow

eat, tend their wounds, refresh their minds and spirits for

players what your character thinks and does, active role-

spellcasting, and brace themselves for further adventure.

playing shows them.

Adventurers, as well as other creatures, can take short

When you use active roleplaying, you speak with your

rests in the midst of a day and a long rest to end it.

character’s voice, like an actor taking on a role. You might

even echo your character’s movements and body language.

Short Rest

This approach is more immersive than descriptive role-

A short rest is a period of downtime, at least 1 hour long,

playing, though you still need to describe things that

during which a character does nothing more strenuous

can’t be reasonably acted out.

than eating, drinking, reading, and tending to wounds.

Going back to the example of Chris roleplaying Tordek

A character can spend one or more Hit Dice at the end

above, here’s how the scene might play out if Chris used

of a short rest, up to the character’s maximum number of

active roleplaying:

Hit Dice, which is equal to the character’s level. For each

Speaking as Tordek, Chris says in a gruff, deep voice,

Hit Die spent in this way, the player rolls the die and adds

“I was wondering why it suddenly smelled awful in here.

the character’s Constitution modifier to it. The character

If I wanted to hear anything out of you, I’d snap your arm

regains hit points equal to the total (minimum of 0). The

and enjoy your screams.” In his normal voice, Chris then

player can decide to spend an additional Hit Die after

adds, “I get up, glare at the elf, and head to the bar.”

each roll. A character regains some spent Hit Dice upon

finishing a long rest, as explained below.

Results of Roleplaying

The DM uses your character’s actions and attitudes to

Long Rest

determine how an NPC reacts. A cowardly NPC buckles

under threats of violence. A stubborn dwarf refuses to let

A long rest is a period of extended downtime, at least 8

anyone badger her. A vain dragon laps up flattery.

hours long, during which a character sleeps for at least

When interacting with an NPC, pay close attention to

6 hours and performs no more than 2 hours of light ac-

the DM’s portrayal of the NPC’s mood, dialogue, and

tivity, such as reading, talking, eating, or standing watch.

personality. You might be able to determine an NPC’s

If the rest is interrupted by a period of strenuous activ-

personality traits, ideals, flaws, and bonds, then play on

ity—at least 1 hour of walking, fighting, casting spells, or

them to influence the NPC’s attitude.

similar adventuring activity—the characters must begin

Interactions in D&D are much like interactions in real

the rest again to gain any benefit from it.

life. If you can offer NPCs something they want, threaten

At the end of a long rest, a character regains all lost

them with something they fear, or play on their sympa-

hit points. The character also regains spent Hit Dice, up

thies and goals, you can use words to get almost anything

to a number of dice equal to half of the character’s total

you want. On the other hand, if you insult a proud warrior

number of them (minimum of one die). For example, if a

or speak ill of a noble’s allies, your efforts to convince or

character has eight Hit Dice, he or she can regain four

deceive will fall short.

spent Hit Dice upon finishing a long rest.

A character can’t benefit from more than one long rest

in a 24-hour period, and a character must have at least

Ability Checks

1 hit point at the start of the rest to gain its benefits.

In addition to roleplaying, ability checks are key in deter-

mining the outcome of an interaction.

Between Adventures

Your roleplaying efforts can alter an NPC’s attitude, but

there might still be an element of chance in the situation.

Between trips to dungeons and battles against ancient

For example, your DM can call for a Charisma check at

evils, adventurers need time to rest, recuperate, and

any point during an interaction if he or she wants the dice

prepare for their next adventure. Many adventurers also

to play a role in determining an NPC’s reactions. Other

use this time to perform other tasks, such as crafting

checks might be appropriate in certain situations, at your

arms and armor, performing research, or spending

DM’s discretion.

their hard-earned gold.

Pay attention to your skill proficiencies when thinking

In some cases, the passage of time is something that

of how you want to interact with an NPC, and stack the

occurs with little fanfare or description. When starting a

deck in your favor by using an approach that relies on

new adventure, the DM might simply declare that a cer-

your best bonuses and skills. If the group needs to trick a

tain amount of time has passed and allow you to describe

guard into letting them into a castle, the rogue who is pro-

in general terms what your character has

ficient in Deception is the best bet to lead the discussion.

been doing. At other times, the DM might want to keep

When negotiating for a hostage’s release, the cleric with

track of just how much time is passing as events beyond

Persuasion should do most of the talking.

your perception stay in motion.

Chapter 8: Adventuring

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If you are a member of an organization that can pro-

Lifestyle Expenses

vide gainful employment, such as a temple or a thieves’

Between adventures, you choose a particular quality of

guild, you earn enough to support a comfortable life-

life and pay the cost of maintaining that lifestyle, as de-

style instead.

scribed in chapter 5.

If you have proficiency in the Performance skill and put

Living a particular lifestyle doesn’t have a huge effect

your performance skill to use during your downtime, you

on your character, but your lifestyle can affect the way

earn enough to support a wealthy lifestyle instead.

other individuals and groups react to you. For example,

when you lead an aristocratic lifestyle, it might be easier

Recuperating

for you to influence the nobles of the city than if you live

You can use downtime between adventures to recover

in poverty.

from a debilitating injury, disease, or poison.

After three days of downtime spent recuperating,

Downtime Activities

you can make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw.

Between adventures, the DM might ask you what your

On a successful save, you can choose one of the

character is doing during his or her downtime. Periods

following results:

of downtime can vary in duration, but each downtime

• End one effect on you that prevents you from regain-

activity requires a certain number of days to complete

ing hit points.

before you gain any benefit, and at least 8 hours of each

• For the next 24 hours, gain advantage on saving throws

day must be spent on the downtime activity for the day

against one disease or poison currently

to count. The days do not need to be consecutive. If you

affecting you.

have more than the minimum amount of days to spend,

you can keep doing the same thing for a longer period

Researching

of time, or switch to a new downtime activity.

The time between adventures is a great chance to per-

Downtime activities other than the ones presented be-

form research, gaining insight into mysteries that have

low are possible. If you want your character to spend his

unfurled over the course of the campaign. Research can

or her downtime performing an activity not covered here,

include poring over dusty tomes and crumbling scrolls

discuss it with your DM.

in a library or buying drinks for the locals to pry rumors

and gossip from their lips.

Crafting

When you begin your research, the DM determines

You can craft nonmagical objects, including adventur-

whether the information is available, how many days of

ing equipment and works of art. You must be proficient

downtime it will take to find it, and whether there are any

with tools related to the object you are trying to create

restrictions on your research (such as needing to seek out

(typically artisan’s tools). You might also need access to

a specific individual, tome, or location). The DM might

special materials or locations necessary to create it. For

also require you to make one or more ability checks,

example, someone proficient with smith’s tools needs a

such as an Intelligence (Investigation) check to find clues

forge in order to craft a sword or suit of armor.

pointing toward the information you seek, or a Charisma

For every day of downtime you spend crafting, you can

(Persuasion) check to secure someone’s aid. Once those

craft one or more items with a total market value not ex-

conditions are met, you learn the information if it is

ceeding 5 gp, and you must expend raw materials worth

available.

half the total market value. If something you want to craft

For each day of research, you must spend 1 gp to cover

has a market value greater than 5 gp, you make progress

your expenses. This cost is in addition to your normal

every day in 5-gp increments until you reach the market

lifestyle expenses (as discussed in chapter 5).

value of the item. For example, a suit of plate armor (mar-

ket value 1,500 gp) takes 300 days to craft by yourself.

Training

Multiple characters can combine their efforts toward

You can spend time between adventures learning a new

the crafting of a single item, provided that the charac-

language or training with a set of tools. Your DM might

ters all have proficiency with the requisite tools and are

allow additional training options.

working together in the same place. Each character con-

First, you must find an instructor willing to teach you.

tributes 5 gp worth of effort for every day spent helping to

The DM determines how long it takes, and whether one

craft the item. For example, three characters with the req-

or more ability checks are required.

uisite tool proficiency and the proper facilities can craft a

The training lasts for 250 days and costs 1 gp per day.

suit of plate armor in 100 days, at a total cost of 750 gp.

After you spend the requisite amount of time and money,

While crafting, you can maintain a modest lifestyle

you learn the new language or gain proficiency with

without having to pay 1 gp per day, or a comfortable

the new tool.

lifestyle at half the normal cost (see chapter 5 for more

information on lifestyle expenses).

Practicing a Profession

You can work between adventures, allowing you to main-

tain a modest lifestyle without having to pay 1 gp per day

(see chapter 5 for more information on lifestyle expenses).

This benefit lasts as long you continue to practice your

profession.

Chapter 8: Adventuring

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Chapter 9: Combat

The clatter of a sword striking against a shield.

side. Any character or monster that doesn’t notice a

The terrible rending sound as monstrous claws tear

threat is surprised at the start of the encounter.

through armor. A brilliant flash of light as a ball of flame

If you’re surprised, you can’t move or take an action

blossoms from a wizard’s spell. The sharp tang of blood

on your first turn of the combat, and you can’t take a re-

in the air, cutting through the stench of vile monsters.

action until that turn ends. A member of a group can be

Roars of fury, shouts of triumph, cries of pain. Combat in

surprised even if the other members aren’t.

D&D can be chaotic, deadly, and thrilling.

This chapter provides the rules you need for your char-

Initiative

acters and monsters to engage in combat, whether it is

Initiative determines the order of turns during combat.

a brief skirmish or an extended conflict in a dungeon or

When combat starts, every participant makes a Dexterity

on a field of battle. Throughout this chapter, the rules ad-

check to determine their place in the initiative order. The

dress you, the player or Dungeon Master. The Dungeon

DM makes one roll for an entire group of identical crea-

Master controls all the monsters and nonplayer charac-

tures, so each member of the group acts at the same time.

ters involved in combat, and each other player controls an

The DM ranks the combatants in order from the one

adventurer. “You” can also mean the character or mon-

with the highest Dexterity check total to the one with

ster that you control.

the lowest. This is the order (called the initiative order)

in which they act during each round. The initiative order

The Order of Combat

remains the same from round to round.

If a tie occurs, the DM decides the order among tied

A typical combat encounter is a clash between two sides,

DM-controlled creatures, and the players decide the or-

a flurry of weapon swings, feints, parries, footwork, and

der among their tied characters. The DM can decide the

spellcasting. The game organizes the chaos of combat

order if the tie is between a monster and a player charac-

into a cycle of rounds and turns. A round represents

ter. Optionally, the DM can have the tied characters and

about 6 seconds in the game world. During a round, each

monsters each roll a d20 to determine the order, highest

participant in a battle takes a turn. The order of turns is

roll going first.

determined at the beginning of a combat encounter, when

everyone rolls initiative. Once everyone has taken a turn,

Your Turn

the fight continues to the next round if neither side has

defeated the other.

On your turn, you can move a distance up to your speed

and take one action. You decide whether to move first or

Surprise

take your action first. Your speed—sometimes called your

A band of adventurers sneaks up on a bandit camp,

walking speed—is noted on your character sheet.

springing from the trees to attack them. A gelatinous

The most common actions you can take are described

cube glides down a dungeon passage, unnoticed by the

in the “Actions in Combat” section later in this chapter.

adventurers until the cube engulfs one of them. In these

Many class features and other abilities provide additional

situations, one side of the battle gains surprise over

options for your action.

the other.

The “Movement and Position” section later in this chap-

The DM determines who might be surprised. If nei-

ter gives the rules for your move.

ther side tries to be stealthy, they automatically notice

You can forgo moving, taking an action, or doing any-

each other. Otherwise, the DM compares the Dexterity

thing at all on your turn. If you can’t decide what to do on

(Stealth) checks of anyone hiding with the passive Wis-

your turn, consider taking the Dodge or Ready action, as

dom (Perception) score of each creature on the opposing

described in “Actions in Combat.”

Bonus Actions

Combat Step by Step

Various class features, spells, and other abilities let you

1. Determine surprise. The DM determines whether anyone

take an additional action on your turn called a bonus ac-

involved in the combat encounter is surprised.

tion. The Cunning Action feature, for example, allows a

2. Establish positions. The DM decides where all the

rogue to take a bonus action. You can take a bonus action

characters and monsters are located. Given the

only when a special ability, spell, or other feature of the

adventurers’ marching order or their stated positions in

game states that you can do something as a bonus action.

the room or other location, the DM figures out where the

You otherwise don’t have a bonus action to take.

adversaries are—how far away and in what direction.

You can take only one bonus action on your turn, so you

3. Roll initiative. Everyone involved in the combat

must choose which bonus action to use when you have

encounter rolls initiative, determining the order of

more than one available.

combatants’ turns.

You choose when to take a bonus action during your

4. Take turns. Each participant in the battle takes a turn in

turn, unless the bonus action’s timing is specified, and

initiative order.

anything that deprives you of your ability to take actions

5. Begin the next round. When everyone involved in the

combat has had a turn, the round ends. Repeat step 4

also prevents you from taking a bonus action.

until the fighting stops.

Chapter 9: Combat

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Activity on Your Turn

On your turn, you can move a distance up to your

Your turn can include a variety of flourishes that require

speed. You can use as much or as little of your speed as

neither your action nor your move.

you like on your turn, following the rules here.

You can communicate however you are able, through

Your movement can include jumping, climbing, and

brief utterances and gestures, as you take your turn.

swimming. These different modes of movement can be

You can also interact with one object or feature of the

combined with walking, or they can constitute your entire

environment for free, during either your move or your

move. However you’re moving, you deduct the distance of

action. For example, you could open a door during your

each part of your move from your speed until it is used up

move as you stride toward a foe, or you could draw your

or until you are done moving.

weapon as part of the same action you use to attack.

The “Special Types of Movement” section in chap-

If you want to interact with a second object, you need

ter 8 gives the particulars for jumping, climbing,

to use your action. Some magic items and other special

and swimming.

objects always require an action to use, as stated

in their descriptions.

Breaking Up Your Move

The DM might require you to use an action for any

You can break up your movement on your turn, using

of these activities when it needs special care or when it

some of your speed before and after your action. For

presents an unusual obstacle. For instance, the DM

example, if you have a speed of 30 feet, you can move

could reasonably expect you to use an action to open a

10 feet, take your action, and then move 20 feet.

stuck door or turn a crank to lower a drawbridge.

Moving between Attacks

Reactions

If you take an action that includes more than one weapon

attack, you can break up your movement even further by

Certain special abilities, spells, and situations allow you

moving between those attacks. For example, a fighter

to take a special action called a reaction. A reaction is

who can make two attacks with the Extra Attack feature

an instant response to a trigger of some kind, which can

and who has a speed of 25 feet could move 10 feet, make

occur on your turn or on someone else’s. The opportunity

an attack, move 15 feet, and then attack again.

attack, described later in this chapter, is the most com-

mon type of reaction.

Using Different Speeds

When you take a reaction, you can’t take another one

If you have more than one speed, such as your walking

until the start of your next turn. If the reaction interrupts

speed and a flying speed, you can switch back and forth

another creature’s turn, that creature can continue its

between your speeds during your move. Whenever you

turn right after the reaction.

switch, subtract the distance you’ve already moved from

the new speed. The result determines how much farther

Movement and Position

you can move. If the result is 0 or less, you can’t use the

In combat, characters and monsters are in constant

new speed during the current move.

motion, often using movement and position to gain the

For example, if you have a speed of 30 and a flying

upper hand.

speed of 60 because a wizard cast the fly spell on you,

you could fly 20 feet, then walk 10 feet, and then leap into

the air to fly 30 feet more.

Interacting with Objects Around You

Here are a few examples of the sorts of thing you can do in

Difficult Terrain

tandem with your movement and action:

Combat rarely takes place in bare rooms or on fea-

• draw or sheathe a sword

• open or close a door

tureless plains. Boulder-strewn caverns, briar-choked

• withdraw a potion from your backpack

forests, treacherous staircases—the setting of

• pick up a dropped axe

a typical fight contains difficult terrain.

• take a bauble from a table

Every foot of movement in difficult terrain costs 1

• remove a ring from your finger

extra foot. This rule is true even if multiple things in

• stuff some food into your mouth

a space count as difficult terrain.

• plant a banner in the ground

Low furniture, rubble, undergrowth, steep stairs, snow,

• fish a few coins from your belt pouch

and shallow bogs are examples of difficult terrain. The

• drink all the ale in a flagon

space of another creature, whether hostile or not, also

• throw a lever or a switch

counts as difficult terrain.

• pull a torch from a sconce

• take a book from a shelf you can reach

• extinguish a small flame

Being Prone

• don a mask

Combatants often find themselves lying on the ground,

• pull the hood of your cloak up and over your head

either because they are knocked down or because they

• put your ear to a door

throw themselves down. In the game, they are prone,

• kick a small stone

a condition described in appendix A.

• turn a key in a lock

• tap the floor with a 10-foot pole

You can drop prone without using any of your speed.

• hand an item to another character

Standing up takes more effort; doing so costs an

amount of movement equal to half your speed. For ex-

ample, if your speed is 30 feet, you must spend 15 feet

Chapter 9: Combat

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

of movement to stand up. You can’t stand up if you don’t

Squeezing into a Smaller Space

have enough movement left or if your speed is 0.

A creature can squeeze through a space that is large

To move while prone, you must crawl or use magic

enough for a creature one size smaller than it. Thus, a

such as teleportation. Every foot of movement while

Large creature can squeeze through a passage that’s only

crawling costs 1 extra foot. Crawling 1 foot in difficult

5 feet wide. While squeezing through a space, a creature

terrain, therefore, costs 3 feet of movement.

must spend 1 extra foot for every foot it moves there, and

it has disadvantage on attack rolls and Dexterity saving

Moving Around Other Creatures

throws. Attack rolls against the creature have advantage

You can move through a nonhostile creature’s space. In

while it’s in the smaller space.

contrast, you can move through a hostile creature’s space

only if the creature is at least two sizes larger or smaller

Actions in Combat

than you. Remember that another creature’s space is dif-

When you take your action on your turn, you can take one

ficult terrain for you.

of the actions presented here, an action you gained from

Whether a creature is a friend or an enemy, you can’t

your class or a special feature, or an action that you im-

willingly end your move in its space.

provise. Many monsters have action options of their own

If you leave a hostile creature’s reach during your move,

in their stat blocks.

you provoke an opportunity attack, as explained later in

When you describe an action not detailed elsewhere in

the chapter.

the rules, the DM tells you whether that action is possible

and what kind of roll you need to make, if any, to deter-

Flying Movement

mine success or failure.

Flying creatures enjoy many benefits of mobility, but

they must also deal with the danger of falling. If a flying

Attack

creature is knocked prone, has its speed reduced to 0, or

The most common action to take in combat is the Attack

is otherwise deprived of the ability to move, the creature

action, whether you are swinging a sword, firing an ar-

falls, unless it has the ability to hover or it is being held

row from a bow, or brawling with your fists.

aloft by magic, such as by the fly spell.

With this action, you make one melee or ranged attack.

See the “Making an Attack” section for the rules that gov-

Creature Size

ern attacks.

Each creature takes up a different amount of space.

Certain features, such as the Extra Attack feature

The Size Categories table shows how much space

of the fighter, allow you to make more than one attack

a creature of a particular size controls in combat.

with this action.

Objects sometimes use the same size categories.

Variant: Playing on a Grid

Size Categories

If you play out a combat using a square grid and miniatures

Size

Space

Example Monsters

or other tokens, follow these rules.

Squares. Each square on the grid represents 5 feet.

Tiny

2½ by 2½ ft.

Imp, sprite

Speed. Rather than moving foot by foot, move square by

Small

5 by 5 ft.

Giant rat, goblin

square on the grid. This means you use your speed in 5-foot

Medium

5 by 5 ft.

Orc, werewolf

segments. This is particularly easy if you translate your

Large

10 by 10 ft.

Hippogriff, ogre

speed into squares by dividing the speed by 5. For example,

Huge

15 by 15 ft.

Fire giant, treant

a speed of 30 feet translates into a speed of 6 squares.

If you use a grid often, consider writing your speed in

Gargantuan

20 by 20 ft. or larger

Kraken, purple worm

squares on your character sheet.

Entering a Square. To enter a square, you must have

Space

at least 1 square of movement left, even if the square

A creature’s space is the area in feet that it effectively

is diagonally adjacent to the square you’re in. (The rule

controls in combat, not an expression of its physical di-

for diagonal movement sacrifices realism for the sake of

mensions. A typical Medium creature isn’t 5 feet wide,

smooth play. The Dungeon Master’s Guide provides guidance

for example, but it does control a space that wide. If a

on using a more realistic approach.)

If a square costs extra movement, as a square of

Medium hobgoblin stands in a 5-foot-wide doorway,

difficult terrain does, you must have enough movement

other creatures can’t get through unless the hobgoblin

left to pay for entering it. For example, you must have

lets them.

at least 2 squares of movement left to enter a square of

A creature’s space also reflects the area it needs to fight

difficult terrain.

effectively. For that reason, there’s a limit to the number

Corners. Diagonal movement can’t cross the corner of a

of creatures that can surround another creature in com-

wall, large tree, or other terrain feature that fills its space.

bat. Assuming Medium combatants, eight creatures can

Ranges. To determine the range on a grid between two

fit in a 5-foot radius around another one.

things—whether creatures or objects—start counting

Because larger creatures take up more space, fewer

squares from a square adjacent to one of them and stop

of them can surround a creature. If four Large creatures

counting in the space of the other one. Count by the

shortest route.

crowd around a Medium or smaller one, there’s little

room for anyone else. In contrast, as many as twenty Me-

dium creatures can surround a Gargantuan one.

Chapter 9: Combat

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cast a Spell

Hide

Spellcasters such as wizards and clerics, as well as many

When you take the Hide action, you make a Dexterity

monsters, have access to spells and can use them to great

(Stealth) check in an attempt to hide, following the rules

effect in combat. Each spell has a casting time, which

in chapter 7 for hiding. If you succeed, you gain certain

specifies whether the caster must use an action, a reac-

benefits, as described in the “Unseen Attackers and Tar-

tion, minutes, or even hours to cast the spell. Casting a

gets” section later in this chapter.

spell is, therefore, not necessarily an action. Most spells

do have a casting time of 1 action, so a spellcaster often

Ready

uses his or her action in combat to cast such a spell. See

Sometimes you want to get the jump on a foe or wait for a

chapter 10 for the rules on spellcasting.

particular circumstance before you act. To do so, you can

take the Ready action on your turn, which lets you act us-

Dash

ing your reaction before the start of your next turn.

When you take the Dash action, you gain extra move-

First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will

ment for the current turn. The increase equals your

trigger your reaction. Then, you choose the action you

speed, after applying any modifiers. With a speed of 30

will take in response to that trigger, or you choose to

feet, for example, you can move up to 60 feet on your turn

move up to your speed in response to it. Examples in-

if you dash.

clude “If the cultist steps on the trapdoor, I’ll pull the

Any increase or decrease to your speed changes this

lever that opens it,” and “If the goblin steps next to me, I

additional movement by the same amount. If your speed

move away.”

of 30 feet is reduced to 15 feet, for instance, you can move

When the trigger occurs, you can either take your re-

up to 30 feet this turn if you dash.

action right after the trigger finishes or ignore the trigger.

Remember that you can take only one reaction per round.

Disengage

When you ready a spell, you cast it as normal but hold

its energy, which you release with your reaction when the

If you take the Disengage action, your movement doesn’t

trigger occurs. To be readied, a spell must have a cast-

provoke opportunity attacks for the rest of the turn.

ing time of 1 action, and holding onto the spell’s magic

Dodge

requires concentration (explained in chapter 10). If your

concentration is broken, the spell dissipates without tak-

When you take the Dodge action, you focus entirely on

ing effect. For example, if you are concentrating on the

avoiding attacks. Until the start of your next turn, any

web spell and ready magic missile, your web spell ends,

attack roll made against you has disadvantage if you can

and if you take damage before you release magic missile

see the attacker, and you make Dexterity saving throws

with your reaction, your concentration might be broken.

with advantage. You lose this benefit if you are inca-

pacitated (as explained in appendix A) or if your speed

drops to 0.

When you take the Search action, you devote your

attention to finding something. Depending on the na-

Help

ture of your search, the DM might have you make a

You can lend your aid to another creature in the com-

Wisdom (Perception) check or an Intelligence (Investiga-

pletion of a task. When you take the Help action, the

tion) check.

creature you aid gains advantage on the next ability

check it makes to perform the task you are helping with,

Use an Object

provided that it makes the check before the start of your

You normally interact with an object while doing some-

next turn.

thing else, such as when you draw a sword as part of an

Alternatively, you can aid a friendly creature in attack-

attack. When an object requires your action for its use,

ing a creature within 5 feet of you. You feint, distract

you take the Use an Object action. This action is also use-

the target, or in some other way team up to make your

ful when you want to interact with more than one object

ally’s attack more effective. If your ally attacks the target

on your turn.

before your next turn, the first attack roll is made with

advantage.

Making an Attack

Improvising an Action

Whether you’re striking with a melee weapon, firing a

Your character can do things not covered by the actions in

weapon at range, or making an attack roll as part of a

this chapter, such as breaking down doors, intimidating

spell, an attack has a simple structure.

enemies, sensing weaknesses in magical defenses, or

1. Choose a target. Pick a target within your attack’s

calling for a parley with a foe. The only limits to the actions

range: a creature, an object, or a location.

you can attempt are your imagination and your character’s

2. Determine modifiers. The DM determines whether

ability scores. See the descriptions of the ability scores in

chapter 7 for inspiration as you improvise.

the target has cover and whether you have advantage

When you describe an action not detailed elsewhere in

or disadvantage against the target. In addition, spells,

the rules, the DM tells you whether that action is possible

and what kind of roll you need to make, if any, to determine

success or failure.

Chapter 9: Combat

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

special abilities, and other effects can apply penalties

Ranged Attacks

or bonuses to your attack roll.

When you make a ranged attack, you fire a bow or a

3. Resolve the attack. You make the attack roll. On a hit,

crossbow, hurl a handaxe, or otherwise send projec-

you roll damage, unless the particular attack has rules

tiles to strike a foe at a distance. A monster might shoot

that specify otherwise. Some attacks cause special

spines from its tail. Many spells also involve making a

effects in addition to or instead of damage.

ranged attack.

If there’s ever any question whether something you’re

doing counts as an attack, the rule is simple: if you’re

Range

making an attack roll, you’re making an attack.

You can make ranged attacks only against targets within

a specified range.

Attack Rolls

If a ranged attack, such as one made with a spell, has a

single range, you can’t attack a target beyond this range.

When you make an attack, your attack roll determines

Some ranged attacks, such as those made with a long-

whether the attack hits or misses. To make an attack roll,

bow or a shortbow, have two ranges. The smaller number

roll a d20 and add the appropriate modifiers. If the total

is the normal range, and the larger number is the long

of the roll plus modifiers equals or exceeds the target’s

range. Your attack roll has disadvantage when your target

Armor Class (AC), the attack hits. The AC of a character

is beyond normal range, and you can’t attack a target be-

is determined at character creation, whereas the AC of a

yond the long range.

monster is in its stat block.

Modifiers to the Roll

Ranged Attacks in Close Combat

Aiming a ranged attack is more difficult when a foe

When a character makes an attack roll, the two most

is next to you. When you make a ranged attack with a

common modifiers to the roll are an ability modifier

weapon, a spell, or some other means, you have disadvan-

and the character’s proficiency bonus. When a monster

tage on the attack roll if you are within 5 feet of a hostile

makes an attack roll, it uses whatever modifier is pro-

creature who can see you and who isn’t incapacitated.

vided in its stat block.

Ability Modifier. The ability modifier used for a melee

Melee Attacks

weapon attack is Strength, and the ability modifier used

for a ranged weapon attack is Dexterity. Weapons that

Used in hand-to-hand combat, a melee attack allows you

have the finesse or thrown property break this rule.

to attack a foe within your reach. A melee attack typically

Some spells also require an attack roll. The ability

uses a handheld weapon such as a sword, a warham-

modifier used for a spell attack depends on the spellcast-

mer, or an axe. A typical monster makes a melee attack

ing ability of the spellcaster, as explained in chapter 10.

when it strikes with its claws, horns, teeth, tentacles, or

Proficiency Bonus. You add your proficiency bonus

other body part. A few spells also involve making a me-

to your attack roll when you attack using a weapon with

lee attack.

which you have proficiency, as well as when you attack

Most creatures have a 5-foot reach and can thus at-

with a spell.

tack targets within 5 feet of them when making a melee

attack. Certain creatures (typically those larger than

Rolling 1 or 20

Medium) have melee attacks with a greater reach than 5

Sometimes fate blesses or curses a combatant, causing

feet, as noted in their descriptions.

the novice to hit and the veteran to miss.

Instead of using a weapon to make a melee weapon

If the d20 roll for an attack is a 20, the attack hits re-

attack, you can use an unarmed strike: a punch, kick,

gardless of any modifiers or the target’s AC. This is called

head-butt, or similar forceful blow (none of which count

a critical hit, which is explained later in this chapter.

as weapons). On a hit, an unarmed strike deals bludgeon-

If the d20 roll for an attack is a 1, the attack misses re-

ing damage equal to 1 + your Strength modifier. You are

gardless of any modifiers or the target’s AC.

proficient with your unarmed strikes.

Unseen Attackers and Targets

Opportunity Attacks

In a fight, everyone is constantly watching for enemies

Combatants often try to escape their foes’ notice by hid-

to drop their guard. You can rarely move heedlessly past

ing, casting the invisibility spell, or lurking in darkness.

your foes without putting yourself in danger; doing so

When you attack a target that you can’t see, you have

provokes an opportunity attack.

disadvantage on the attack roll. This is true whether

You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile

you’re guessing the target’s location or you’re targeting a

creature that you can see moves out of your reach. To

creature you can hear but not see. If the target isn’t in the

make the opportunity attack, you use your reaction

location you targeted, you automatically miss, but the DM

to make one melee attack against the provoking crea-

typically just says that the attack missed, not whether you

ture. The attack occurs right before the creature leaves

guessed the target’s location correctly.

your reach.

When a creature can’t see you, you have advantage on

You can avoid provoking an opportunity attack by

attack rolls against it.

taking the Disengage action. You also don’t provoke an

If you are hidden—both unseen and unheard—when

opportunity attack when you teleport or when someone

you make an attack, you give away your location when the

or something moves you without using your movement,

attack hits or misses.

action, or reaction. For example, you don’t provoke an

Chapter 9: Combat

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opportunity attack if an explosion hurls you out of a foe’s

Contests in Combat

reach or if gravity causes you to fall past an enemy.

Battle often involves pitting your prowess against that of

your foe. Such a challenge is represented by a contest. This

Two-Weapon Fighting

section includes the most common contests that require an

When you take the Attack action and attack with a light

action in combat: grappling and shoving a creature. The DM

melee weapon that you’re holding in one hand, you can

can use these contests as models for improvising others.

use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee

weapon that you’re holding in the other hand. You don’t

cover and a tree trunk that gives three-quarters cover, the

add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus at-

target has three-quarters cover.

tack, unless that modifier is negative.

A target with half cover has a +2 bonus to AC and

If either weapon has the thrown property, you can

Dexterity saving throws. A target has half cover if an ob-

throw the weapon, instead of making a melee at-

stacle blocks at least half of its body. The obstacle might

tack with it.

be a low wall, a large piece of furniture, a narrow tree

trunk, or a creature, whether that creature is an enemy

Grappling

or a friend.

When you want to grab a creature or wrestle with it, you

A target with three-quarters cover has a +5 bonus to

can use the Attack action to make a special melee attack,

AC and Dexterity saving throws. A target has three-quar-

a grapple. If you’re able to make multiple attacks with the

ters cover if about three-quarters of it is covered by an

Attack action, this attack replaces one of them.

obstacle. The obstacle might be a portcullis, an arrow

The target of your grapple must be no more than one

slit, or a thick tree trunk.

size larger than you, and it must be within your reach.

A target with total cover can’t be targeted directly by

Using at least one free hand, you try to seize the target

an attack or a spell, although some spells can reach such

by making a grapple check, a Strength (Athletics) check

a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has

contested by the target’s Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity

total cover if it is completely concealed by an obstacle.

(Acrobatics) check (the target chooses the ability to use).

You succeed automatically if the target is incapacitated. If

Damage and Healing

you succeed, you subject the target to the grappled condi-

tion (see appendix A). The condition specifies the things

Injury and the risk of death are constant companions

that end it, and you can release the target whenever you

of those who explore the worlds of D&D. The thrust of

like (no action required).

a sword, a well-placed arrow, or a blast of flame from a

Escaping a Grapple. A grappled creature can use its

fireball spell all have the potential to damage, or even kill,

action to escape. To do so, it must succeed on a Strength

the hardiest of creatures.

(Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check contested by

your Strength (Athletics) check.

Hit Points

Moving a Grappled Creature. When you move, you

Hit points represent a combination of physical and men-

can drag or carry the grappled creature with you, but

tal durability, the will to live, and luck. Creatures with

your speed is halved, unless the creature is two or more

more hit points are more difficult to kill. Those with

sizes smaller than you.

fewer hit points are more fragile.

A creature’s current hit points (usually just called hit

Shoving a Creature

points) can be any number from the creature’s hit point

Using the Attack action, you can make a special melee at-

maximum down to 0. This number changes frequently as

tack to shove a creature, either to knock it prone or push

a creature takes damage or receives healing.

it away from you. If you’re able to make multiple attacks

Whenever a creature takes damage, that damage is

with the Attack action, this attack replaces one of them.

subtracted from its hit points. The loss of hit points has

The target of your shove must be no more than one

no effect on a creature’s capabilities until the creature

size larger than you, and it must be within your reach.

drops to 0 hit points.

You make a Strength (Athletics) check contested by

the target’s Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobat-

Damage Rolls

ics) check (the target chooses the ability to use). You

succeed automatically if the target is incapacitated. If

Each weapon, spell, and harmful monster ability speci-

you succeed, you either knock the target prone or push

fies the damage it deals. You roll the damage die or dice,

it 5 feet away from you.

add any modifiers, and apply the damage to your target.

Magic weapons, special abilities, and other factors can

grant a bonus to damage.

Cover

When attacking with a weapon, you add your ability

Walls, trees, creatures, and other obstacles can provide

modifier—the same modifier used for the attack roll—to

cover during combat, making a target more difficult

the damage. A spell tells you which dice to roll for dam-

to harm. A target can benefit from cover only when an

age and whether to add any modifiers.

attack or other effect originates on the opposite side of

If a spell or other effect deals damage to more than

the cover.

one target at the same time, roll the damage once for all

There are three degrees of cover. If a target is behind

of them. For example, when a wizard casts fireball or a

multiple sources of cover, only the most protective degree

of cover applies; the degrees aren’t added together. For

example, if a target is behind a creature that gives half

Chapter 9: Combat

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cleric casts flame strike, the spell’s damage is rolled once

Describing the Effects of Damage

for all creatures caught in the blast.

Dungeon Masters describe hit point loss in different ways.

When your current hit point total is half or more of your

Critical Hits

hit point maximum, you typically show no signs of injury.

When you score a critical hit, you get to roll extra dice

When you drop below half your hit point maximum, you

for the attack’s damage against the target. Roll all of the

show signs of wear, such as cuts and bruises. An attack

attack’s damage dice twice and add them together. Then

that reduces you to 0 hit points strikes you directly, leaving

a bleeding injury or other trauma, or it simply knocks you

add any relevant modifiers as normal. To speed up play,

unconscious.

you can roll all the damage dice at once.

For example, if you score a critical hit with a dagger,

roll 2d4 for the damage, rather than 1d4, and then add

Damage Resistance and

your relevant ability modifier. If the attack involves other

Vulnerability

damage dice, such as from the rogue’s Sneak Attack fea-

ture, you roll those dice twice as well.

Some creatures and objects are exceedingly difficult or

unusually easy to hurt with certain types of damage.

Damage Types

If a creature or an object has resistance to a damage

Different attacks, damaging spells, and other harmful

type, damage of that type is halved against it. If a crea-

effects deal different types of damage. Damage types have

ture or an object has vulnerability to a damage type,

no rules of their own, but other rules, such as damage re-

damage of that type is doubled against it.

sistance, rely on the types.

Resistance and then vulnerability are applied after all

The damage types follow, with examples to help a

other modifiers to damage. For example, a creature has

DM assign a damage type to a new effect.

resistance to bludgeoning damage and is hit by an attack

Acid. The corrosive spray of a black dragon’s breath

that deals 25 bludgeoning damage. The creature is also

and the dissolving enzymes secreted by a black pudding

within a magical aura that reduces all damage by 5. The

deal acid damage.

25 damage is first reduced by 5 and then halved, so the

Bludgeoning. Blunt force attacks—hammers, falling,

creature takes 10 damage.

constriction, and the like—deal bludgeoning damage.

Multiple instances of resistance or vulnerability that

Cold. The infernal chill radiating from an ice devil’s

affect the same damage type count as only one instance.

spear and the frigid blast of a white dragon’s breath

For example, if a creature has resistance to fire damage

deal cold damage.

as well as resistance to all nonmagical damage, the dam-

Fire. Red dragons breathe fire, and many spells con-

age of a nonmagical fire is reduced by half against the

jure flames to deal fire damage.

creature, not reduced by three-quarters.

Force. Force is pure magical energy focused into a

damaging form. Most effects that deal force damage are

spells, including magic missile and spiritual weapon.

Lightning. A lightning bolt spell and a blue dragon’s

breath deal lightning damage.

Necrotic. Necrotic damage, dealt by certain undead

and some spells, withers matter and even the soul.

Piercing. Puncturing and impaling attacks, including

spears and monsters’ bites, deal piercing damage.

Poison. Venomous stings and the toxic gas of a green

dragon’s breath deal poison damage.

Psychic. Mental abilities such as a mind flayer’s psionic

blast deal psychic damage.

Radiant. Radiant damage, dealt by a cleric’s flame

strike spell or an angel’s smiting weapon, sears the flesh

like fire and overloads the spirit with power.

Slashing. Swords, axes, and monsters’ claws deal

slashing damage.

Thunder. A concussive burst of sound, such as the ef-

fect of the thunderwave spell, deals thunder damage.

Chapter 9: Combat

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Falling Unconscious

If damage reduces you to 0 hit points and fails to kill you,

you fall unconscious (see appendix A). This unconscious-

ness ends if you regain any hit points.

Death Saving Throws

Whenever you start your turn with 0 hit points, you must

make a special saving throw, called a death saving throw,

to determine whether you creep closer to death or hang

onto life. Unlike other saving throws, this one isn’t tied to

any ability score. You are in the hands of fate now, aided

only by spells and features that improve your chances of

succeeding on a saving throw.

Roll a d20. If the roll is 10 or higher, you succeed.

Otherwise, you fail. A success or failure has no effect

by itself. On your third success, you become stable (see

below). On your third failure, you die. The successes

and failures don’t need to be consecutive; keep track

of both until you collect three of a kind. The number of

both is reset to zero when you regain any hit points or be-

come stable.

Rolling 1 or 20. When you make a death saving throw

and roll a 1 on the d20, it counts as two failures. If you

roll a 20 on the d20, you regain 1 hit point.

Damage at 0 Hit Points. If you take any damage while

you have 0 hit points, you suffer a death saving throw

failure. If the damage is from a critical hit, you suffer two

failures instead. If the damage equals or exceeds your hit

point maximum, you suffer instant death.

Healing

Stabilizing a Creature

Unless it results in death, damage isn’t permanent. Even

The best way to save a creature with 0 hit points is to

death is reversible through powerful magic. Rest can

heal it. If healing is unavailable, the creature can at

restore a creature’s hit points (as explained in chapter 8),

least be stabilized so that it isn’t killed by a failed death

and magical methods such as a cure wounds spell or a

saving throw.

potion of healing can remove damage in an instant.

You can use your action to administer first aid to an

When a creature receives healing of any kind, hit points

unconscious creature and attempt to stabilize it, which

regained are added to its current hit points. A creature’s

requires a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check.

hit points can’t exceed its hit point maximum, so any hit

A stable creature doesn’t make death saving throws,

points regained in excess of this number are lost. For

even though it has 0 hit points, but it does remain un-

example, a druid grants a ranger 8 hit points of healing.

conscious. The creature stops being stable, and must

If the ranger has 14 current hit points and has a hit point

start making death saving throws again, if it takes any

maximum of 20, the ranger regains 6 hit points from the

damage. A stable creature that isn’t healed regains

druid, not 8.

1 hit point after 1d4 hours.

A creature that has died can’t regain hit points until

Monsters and Death

magic such as the revivify spell has restored it to life.

Most DMs have a monster die the instant it drops to

0 hit points, rather than having it fall unconscious and

Dropping to 0 Hit Points

make death saving throws.

When you drop to 0 hit points, you either die outright or

Mighty villains and special nonplayer characters are

fall unconscious, as explained in the following sections.

common exceptions; the DM might have them fall uncon-

scious and follow the same rules as player characters.

Instant Death

Massive damage can kill you instantly. When dam-

Knocking a Creature Out

age reduces you to 0 hit points and there is damage

remaining, you die if the remaining damage equals

Sometimes an attacker wants to incapacitate a foe, rather

or exceeds your hit point maximum.

than deal a killing blow. When an attacker reduces a

For example, a cleric with a maximum of 12 hit points

creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack, the attacker

currently has 6 hit points. If she takes 18 damage from

can knock the creature out. The attacker can make this

an attack, she is reduced to 0 hit points, but 12 damage

choice the instant the damage is dealt. The creature falls

remains. Because the remaining damage equals her hit

unconscious and is stable.

point maximum, the cleric dies.

Chapter 9: Combat

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Temporary Hit Points

Controlling a Mount

Some spells and special abilities confer temporary hit

While you’re mounted, you have two options. You can

points to a creature. Temporary hit points aren’t actual

either control the mount or allow it to act independently.

hit points; they are a buffer against damage, a pool of hit

Intelligent creatures, such as dragons, act independently.

points that protect you from injury.

You can control a mount only if it has been trained to

When you have temporary hit points and take damage,

accept a rider. Domesticated horses, donkeys, and sim-

the temporary hit points are lost first, and any leftover

ilar creatures are assumed to have such training. The

damage carries over to your normal hit points. For

initiative of a controlled mount changes to match yours

example, if you have 5 temporary hit points and take

when you mount it. It moves as you direct it, and it has

7 damage, you lose the temporary hit points and then

only three action options: Dash, Disengage, and Dodge. A

take 2 damage.

controlled mount can move and act even on the turn that

Because temporary hit points are separate from your

you mount it.

actual hit points, they can exceed your hit point maxi-

An independent mount retains its place in the initiative

mum. A character can, therefore, be at full hit points and

order. Bearing a rider puts no restrictions on the actions

receive temporary hit points.

the mount can take, and it moves and acts as it wishes. It

Healing can’t restore temporary hit points, and they

might flee from combat, rush to attack and devour a badly

can’t be added together. If you have temporary hit points

injured foe, or otherwise act against your wishes.

and receive more of them, you decide whether to keep

In either case, if the mount provokes an opportunity

the ones you have or to gain the new ones. For example,

attack while you’re on it, the attacker can target you or

if a spell grants you 12 temporary hit points when you

the mount.

already have 10, you can have 12 or 10, not 22.

If you have 0 hit points, receiving temporary hit points

Underwater Combat

doesn’t restore you to consciousness or stabilize you.

When adventurers pursue sahuagin back to their under-

They can still absorb damage directed at you while you’re

sea homes, fight off sharks in an ancient shipwreck, or

in that state, but only true healing can save you.

find themselves in a flooded dungeon room, they must

Unless a feature that grants you temporary hit points

fight in a challenging environment. Underwater the fol-

has a duration, they last until they’re depleted or you fin-

lowing rules apply.

ish a long rest.

When making a melee weapon attack, a creature that

doesn’t have a swimming speed (either natural or granted

Mounted Combat

by magic) has disadvantage on the attack roll unless the

A knight charging into battle on a warhorse, a wizard

weapon is a dagger, javelin, shortsword, spear, or trident.

casting spells from the back of a griffon, or a cleric soar-

A ranged weapon attack automatically misses a target

ing through the sky on a pegasus all enjoy the benefits of

beyond the weapon’s normal range. Even against a target

speed and mobility that a mount can provide.

within normal range, the attack roll has disadvantage un-

A willing creature that is at least one size larger than

less the weapon is a crossbow, a net, or a weapon that is

you and that has an appropriate anatomy can serve as a

thrown like a javelin (including a spear, trident, or dart).

mount, using the following rules.

Creatures and objects that are fully immersed in water

have resistance to fire damage.

Mounting and Dismounting

Once during your move, you can mount a creature that

is within 5 feet of you or dismount. Doing so costs an

amount of movement equal to half your speed. For ex-

ample, if your speed is 30 feet, you must spend 15 feet

of movement to mount a horse. Therefore, you can’t

mount it if you don’t have 15 feet of movement left or

if your speed is 0.

If an effect moves your mount against its will while

you’re on it, you must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity sav-

ing throw or fall off the mount, landing prone in a space

within 5 feet of it. If you’re knocked prone while mounted,

you must make the same saving throw.

If your mount is knocked prone, you can use your

reaction to dismount it as it falls and land on your feet.

Otherwise, you are dismounted and fall prone in a

space within 5 feet it.

Chapter 9: Combat

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Chapter 10: Spellcasting

Magic permeates the worlds of D&D and most often

Spell Slots

appears in the form of a spell.

Regardless of how many spells a caster knows or pre-

This chapter provides the rules for casting spells.

pares, he or she can cast only a limited number of spells

Different character classes have distinctive ways of

before resting. Manipulating the fabric of magic and

learning and preparing their spells, and monsters

channeling its energy into even a simple spell is phys-

use spells in unique ways. Regardless of its source,

ically and mentally taxing, and higher-level spells are

a spell follows the rules here.

even more so. Thus, each spellcasting class’s description

includes a table showing how many spell slots of each

What Is a Spell?

spell level a character can use at each character level. For

A spell is a discrete magical effect, a single shaping of

example, the 3rd-level wizard Umara has four 1st-level

the magical energies that suffuse the multiverse into a

spell slots and two 2nd-level slots.

specific, limited expression. In casting a spell, a charac-

When a character casts a spell, he or she expends a

ter carefully plucks at the invisible strands of raw magic

slot of that spell’s level or higher, effectively “filling” a slot

suffusing the world, pins them in place in a particular

with the spell. You can think of a spell slot as a groove of

pattern, sets them vibrating in a specific way, and then re-

a certain size—small for a 1st-level slot, larger for a spell

leases them to unleash the desired effect—in most cases,

of higher level. A 1st-level spell fits into a slot of any size,

all in the span of seconds.

but a 9th-level spell fits only in a 9th-level slot. So when

Spells can be versatile tools, weapons, or protective

Umara casts magic missile, a 1st-level spell, she spends

wards. They can deal damage or undo it, impose or re-

one of her four 1st-level slots and has three remaining.

move conditions (see appendix A), drain life energy away,

Finishing a long rest restores any expended spell slots

and restore life to the dead.

(see chapter 8 for the rules on resting).

Uncounted thousands of spells have been created

Some characters and monsters have special abilities

over the course of the multiverse’s history, and many of

that let them cast spells without using spell slots.

them are long forgotten. Some might yet lie recorded in

crumbling spellbooks hidden in ancient ruins or trapped

Casting a Spell at a Higher Level

in the minds of dead gods. Or they might someday be re-

When a spellcaster casts a spell using a slot that is of a

invented by a character who has amassed enough power

higher level than the spell, the spell assumes the higher

and wisdom to do so.

level for that casting. For instance, if Umara casts magic

missile using one of her 2nd-level slots, that magic mis-

Spell Level

sile is 2nd level. Effectively, the spell expands to fill the

slot it is put into.

Every spell has a level from 0 to 9. A spell’s level is a gen-

Some spells, such as magic missile and cure wounds,

eral indicator of how powerful it is, with the lowly (but

have more powerful effects when cast at a higher level, as

still impressive) magic missile at 1st level and the incredi-

detailed in a spell’s description.

ble time stop at 9th. Cantrips—simple but powerful spells

that characters can cast almost by rote—are level 0. The

Cantrips

higher a spell’s level, the higher level a spellcaster must

be to use that spell.

A cantrip is a spell that can be cast at will, without using

Spell level and character level don’t correspond di-

a spell slot and without being prepared in advance. Re-

rectly. Typically, a character has to be at least 17th level,

peated practice has fixed the spell in the caster’s mind

not 9th level, to cast a 9th-level spell.

and infused the caster with the magic needed to produce

the effect over and over. A cantrip’s spell level is 0.

Known and Prepared Spells

Rituals

Before a spellcaster can use a spell, he or she must have

the spell firmly fixed in mind, or must have access to the

Certain spells have a special tag: ritual. Such a spell

spell in a magic item. Members of a few classes have a

can be cast following the normal rules for spellcasting,

limited list of spells they know that are always fixed in

or the spell can be cast as a ritual. The ritual version of a

mind. The same thing is true of many magic-using mon-

spell takes 10 minutes longer to cast than normal.

sters. Other spellcasters, such as clerics and wizards,

It also doesn’t expend a spell slot, which means the ritual

undergo a process of preparing spells. This process var-

version of a spell can’t be cast at a higher level.

ies for different classes, as detailed in their descriptions.

To cast a spell as a ritual, a spellcaster must have a

In every case, the number of spells a caster can have

feature that grants the ability to do so. The cleric and the

fixed in mind at any given time depends on the charac-

druid, for example, have such a feature. The caster must

ter’s level.

also have the spell prepared or on his or her list of spells

known, unless the character’s ritual feature specifies oth-

erwise, as the wizard’s does.

Chapter 10: Spellcasting

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Components

Casting a Spell

When a character casts any spell, the same basic rules

A spell’s components are the physical requirements you

are followed, regardless of the character’s class or the

must meet in order to cast it. Each spell’s description

spell’s effects.

indicates whether it requires verbal (V), somatic (S),

Each spell description in chapter 11 begins with a block

or material (M) components. If you can’t provide one

of information, including the spell’s name, level, school of

or more of a spell’s components, you are unable to cast

magic, casting time, range, components, and duration. The

the spell.

rest of a spell entry describes the spell’s effect.

Verbal (V)

Most spells require the chanting of mystic words. The

Casting Time

words themselves aren’t the source of the spell’s power;

Most spells require a single action to cast, but some

rather, the particular combination of sounds, with spe-

spells require a bonus action, a reaction, or much more

cific pitch and resonance, sets the threads of magic in

time to cast.

motion. Thus, a character who is gagged or in an area

of silence, such as one created by the silence spell, can’t

Bonus Action

cast a spell with a verbal component.

A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift. You

must use a bonus action on your turn to cast the spell,

Somatic (S)

provided that you haven’t already taken a bonus action

Spellcasting gestures might include a forceful gesticula-

this turn. You can’t cast another spell during the same

tion or an intricate set of gestures. If a spell requires a

turn, except for a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action.

somatic component, the caster must have free use of at

least one hand to perform these gestures.

Reactions

Some spells can be cast as reactions. These spells take

Material (M)

a fraction of a second to bring about and are cast in re-

Casting some spells requires particular objects, specified

sponse to some event. If a spell can be cast as a reaction,

in parentheses in the component entry. A character can

the spell description tells you exactly when you can do so.

use a component pouch or a spellcasting focus (found

in chapter 5) in place of the components specified for a

Longer Casting Times

spell. But if a cost is indicated for a component, a char-

Certain spells (including spells cast as rituals) require

acter must have that specific component before he or she

more time to cast: minutes or even hours. When you cast

can cast the spell.

a spell with a casting time longer than a single action or

If a spell states that a material component is consumed

reaction, you must spend your action each turn casting

by the spell, the caster must provide this component for

the spell, and you must maintain your concentration

each casting of the spell.

while you do so (see “Concentration” below). If your con-

A spellcaster must have a hand free to access these

centration is broken, the spell fails, but you don’t expend

components—or to hold a spellcasting focus—but it can

a spell slot. If you want to try casting the spell again, you

be the same hand that he or she uses to perform somatic

must start over.

components.

Range

Duration

The target of a spell must be within the spell’s range. For

A spell’s duration is the length of time the spell persists.

a spell like magic missile, the target is a creature. For a

A duration can be expressed in rounds, minutes, hours,

spell like fireball, the target is the point in space where

or even years. Some spells specify that their effects last

the ball of fire erupts.

until the spells are dispelled or destroyed.

Most spells have ranges expressed in feet. Some spells

can target only a creature (including you) that you touch.

Instantaneous

Other spells, such as the shield spell, affect only you.

Many spells are instantaneous. The spell harms, heals,

These spells have a range of self.

creates, or alters a creature or an object in a way that

Spells that create cones or lines of effect that originate

can’t be dispelled, because its magic exists only for

from you also have a range of self, indicating that the or-

an instant.

igin point of the spell’s effect must be you (see “Areas of

Effect” later in the this chapter).

Concentration

Once a spell is cast, its effects aren’t limited by its range,

Some spells require you to maintain concentration in or-

unless the spell’s description says otherwise.

der to keep their magic active. If you lose concentration,

such a spell ends.

Casting in Armor

If a spell must be maintained with concentration, that

Because of the mental focus and precise gestures required

fact appears in its Duration entry, and the spell specifies

for spellcasting, you must be proficient with the armor you

how long you can concentrate on it. You can end concen-

are wearing to cast a spell. You are otherwise too distracted

tration at any time (no action required).

and physically hampered by your armor for spellcasting.

Chapter 10: Spellcasting

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Normal activity, such as moving and attacking, doesn’t

The Schools of Magic

interfere with concentration. The following factors can

Academies of magic group spells into eight categories

break concentration:

called schools of magic. Scholars, particularly wizards,

apply these categories to all spells, believing that all magic

• Casting another spell that requires concentration.

functions in essentially the same way, whether it derives

You lose concentration on a spell if you cast another

from rigorous study or is bestowed by a deity.

spell that requires concentration. You can’t concentrate

The schools of magic help describe spells; they have no

on two spells at once.

rules of their own, although some rules refer to the schools.

• Taking damage. Whenever you take damage while

Abjuration spells are protective in nature, though some

you are concentrating on a spell, you must make a

of them have aggressive uses. They create magical barriers,

Constitution saving throw to maintain your concentra-

negate harmful effects, harm trespassers, or banish

tion. The DC equals 10 or half the damage you take,

creatures to other planes of existence.

Conjuration spells involve the transportation of objects

whichever number is higher. If you take damage from

and creatures from one location to another. Some spells

multiple sources, such as an arrow and a dragon’s

summon creatures or objects to the caster’s side, whereas

breath, you make a separate saving throw for each

others allow the caster to teleport to another location. Some

source of damage.

conjurations create objects or effects out of nothing.

• Being incapacitated or killed. You lose concentration

Divination spells reveal information, whether in the

on a spell if you are incapacitated or if you die.

form of secrets long forgotten, glimpses of the future, the

locations of hidden things, the truth behind illusions, or

The DM might also decide that certain environmental

visions of distant people or places.

phenomena, such as a wave crashing over you while

Enchantment spells affect the minds of others,

you’re on a storm-tossed ship, require you to succeed on a

influencing or controlling their behavior. Such spells can

DC 10 Constitution saving throw to maintain concentra-

make enemies see the caster as a friend, force creatures to

tion on a spell.

take a course of action, or even control another creature

like a puppet.

Targets

Evocation spells manipulate magical energy to produce

a desired effect. Some call up blasts of fire or lightning.

A typical spell requires you to pick one or more targets

Others channel positive energy to heal wounds.

to be affected by the spell’s magic. A spell’s description

Illusion spells deceive the senses or minds of others. They

tells you whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a

cause people to see things that are not there, to miss things

point of origin for an area of effect (described below).

that are there, to hear phantom noises, or to remember

Unless a spell has a perceptible effect, a creature might

things that never happened. Some illusions create phantom

not know it was targeted by a spell at all. An effect like

images that any creature can see, but the most insidious

crackling lightning is obvious, but a more subtle effect,

illusions plant an image directly in the mind of a creature.

such as an attempt to read a creature’s thoughts, typically

Necromancy spells manipulate the energies of life and

goes unnoticed, unless a spell says otherwise.

death. Such spells can grant an extra reserve of life force,

drain the life energy from another creature, create the

A Clear Path to the Target

undead, or even bring the dead back to life.

Creating the undead through the use of necromancy

To target something, you must have a clear path to it,

spells such as animate dead is not a good act, and only evil

so it can’t be behind total cover.

casters use such spells frequently.

If you place an area of effect at a point that you can’t

Transmutation spells change the properties of a creature,

see and an obstruction, such as a wall, is between you

object, or environment. They might turn an enemy into

and that point, the point of origin comes into being on the

a harmless creature, bolster the strength of an ally, make

near side of that obstruction.

an object move at the caster’s command, or enhance

a creature’s innate healing abilities to rapidly recover

Targeting Yourself

from injury.

If a spell targets a creature of your choice, you can

choose yourself, unless the creature must be hostile or

location isn’t included in the spell’s area. To block one of

specifically a creature other than you. If you are in the

these imaginary lines, an obstruction must provide total

area of effect of a spell you cast, you can target yourself.

cover, as explained in chapter 9.

Areas of Effect

Cone

Spells such as burning hands and cone of cold cover an

A cone extends in a direction you choose from its point of

area, allowing them to affect multiple creatures at once.

origin. A cone’s width at a given point along its length is

A spell’s description specifies its area of effect, which

equal to that point’s distance from the point of origin. A

typically has one of five different shapes: cone, cube, cyl-

cone’s area of effect specifies its maximum length.

inder, line, or sphere. Every area of effect has a point of

A cone’s point of origin is not included in the cone’s

origin, a location from which the spell’s energy erupts.

area of effect, unless you decide otherwise.

The rules for each shape specify how you position its

point of origin. Typically, a point of origin is a point in

Cube

space, but some spells have an area whose origin is a

You select a cube’s point of origin, which lies anywhere

creature or an object.

on a face of the cubic effect. The cube’s size is expressed

A spell’s effect expands in straight lines from the point

as the length of each side.

of origin. If no unblocked straight line extends from the

A cube’s point of origin is not included in the cube’s

point of origin to a location within the area of effect, that

area of effect, unless you decide otherwise.

Chapter 10: Spellcasting

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Cylinder

Combining Magical Effects

A cylinder’s point of origin is the center of a circle of a

The effects of different spells add together while the du-

particular radius, as given in the spell description. The

rations of those spells overlap. The effects of the same

circle must either be on the ground or at the height of the

spell cast multiple times don’t combine, however. Instead,

spell effect. The energy in a cylinder expands in straight

the most potent effect—such as the highest bonus—from

lines from the point of origin to the perimeter of the cir-

those castings applies while their durations overlap. Or

cle, forming the base of the cylinder. The spell’s effect

the most recent effect applies if the castings are equally

then shoots up from the base or down from the top, to a

potent and their durations overlap.

distance equal to the height of the cylinder.

For example, if two clerics cast bless on the same tar-

A cylinder’s point of origin is included in the cylinder’s

get, that character gains the spell’s benefit only once; he

area of effect.

or she doesn’t get to roll two bonus dice.

Line

A line extends from its point of origin in a straight path

The Weave of Magic

up to its length and covers an area defined by its width.

The worlds within the D&D multiverse are magical

A line’s point of origin is not included in the line’s area

places. All existence is suffused with magical power, and

of effect, unless you decide otherwise.

potential energy lies untapped in every rock, stream, and

living creature, and even in the air itself. Raw magic is the

Sphere

stuff of creation, the mute and mindless will of existence,

permeating every bit of matter and present in every

You select a sphere’s point of origin, and the sphere

manifestation of energy throughout the multiverse.

extends outward from that point. The sphere’s size is ex-

Mortals can’t directly shape this raw magic. Instead, they

pressed as a radius in feet that extends from the point.

make use of a fabric of magic, a kind of interface between

A sphere’s point of origin is included in the sphere’s

the will of a spellcaster and the stuff of raw magic. The

area of effect.

spellcasters of the Forgotten Realms call it the Weave and

recognize its essence as the goddess Mystra, but casters

Saving Throws

have varied ways of naming and visualizing this interface.

By any name, without the Weave, raw magic is locked away

Many spells specify that a target can make a saving

and inaccessible; the most powerful archmage can’t light

throw to avoid some or all of a spell’s effects. The spell

a candle with magic in an area where the Weave has been

specifies the ability that the target uses for the save and

torn. But surrounded by the Weave, a spellcaster can shape

what happens on a success or failure.

lightning to blast foes, transport hundreds of miles in the

The DC to resist one of your spells equals 8 + your

blink of an eye, or even reverse death itself.

spellcasting ability modifier + your proficiency bonus +

All magic depends on the Weave, though different kinds

any special modifiers.

of magic access it in a variety of ways. The spells of wizards,

warlocks, sorcerers, and bards are commonly called arcane

Attack Rolls

magic. These spells rely on an understanding—learned or

intuitive—of the workings of the Weave. The caster plucks

Some spells require the caster to make an attack roll

directly at the strands of the Weave to create the desired

to determine whether the spell effect hits the intended

effect. Eldritch knights and arcane tricksters also use arcane

target. Your attack bonus with a spell attack equals your

magic. The spells of clerics, druids, paladins, and rangers

spellcasting ability modifier + your proficiency bonus.

are called divine magic. These spellcasters’ access to the

Most spells that require attack rolls involve ranged

Weave is mediated by divine power—gods, the divine forces

attacks. Remember that you have disadvantage on a

of nature, or the sacred weight of a paladin’s oath.

Whenever a magic effect is created, the threads of

ranged attack roll if you are within 5 feet of a hostile

the Weave intertwine, twist, and fold to make the effect

creature that can see you and that isn’t incapacitated (see

possible. When characters use divination spells such as

chapter 9).

detect magic or identify, they glimpse the Weave. A spell such

as dispel magic smooths the Weave. Spells such as antimagic

field rearrange the Weave so that magic flows around,

rather than through, the area affected by the spell. And in

places where the Weave is damaged or torn, magic works in

unpredictable ways—or not at all.

Chapter 10: Spellcasting

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Chapter 11: Spells

This chapter describes the most common spells

4th Level

Wizard Spells

in the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons. The chapter

Arcane Eye

Cantrips (0 Level)

begins with lists of selected spell lists for the most com-

Dimension Door

mon spellcasting classes. The remainder contains spell

Acid Splash

Greater Invisibility

descriptions, presented in alphabetical order by the name

Dancing Lights

Ice Storm

of the spell.

Fire Bolt

Stoneskin

Light

Wall of Fire

Cleric Spells

4th Level

Mage Hand

Death Ward

Minor Illusion

5th Level

Cantrips (0 Level)

Divination

Poison Spray

Cone of Cold

Guidance

Freedom of Movement

Prestidigitation

Dominate Person

Light

Guardian of Faith

Ray of Frost

Dream

Resistance

Locate Creature

Shocking Grasp

Passwall

Sacred Flame

Wall of Stone

Spare the Dying

5th Level

1st Level

Thaumaturgy

Commune

Burning Hands

6th Level

Flame Strike

Charm Person

Chain Lightning

1st Level

Greater Restoration

Comprehend Languages

Disintegrate

Bless

Mass Cure Wounds

Detect Magic

Globe of Invulnerability

Command

Raise Dead

Disguise Self

Mass Suggestion

Cure Wounds

Identify

Otto’s Irresistible Dance

6th Level

Detect Magic

Mage Armor

True Seeing

Guiding Bolt

Blade Barrier

Magic Missile

Healing Word

Find the Path

7th Level

Shield

Inflict Wounds

Harm

Delayed Blast Fireball

Silent Image

Sanctuary

Heal

Finger of Death

Sleep

Shield of Faith

Heroes’ Feast

Mordenkainen’s Sword

Thunderwave

True Seeing

Teleport

2nd Level

7th Level

8th Level

Aid

Arcane Lock

Augury

Etherealness

Dominate Monster

Blur

Hold Person

Fire Storm

Maze

Darkness

Lesser Restoration

Regenerate

Power Word Stun

Flaming Sphere

Prayer of Healing

Resurrection

Sunburst

Hold Person

Silence

8th Level

9th Level

Invisibility

Spiritual Weapon

Antimagic Field

Knock

Foresight

Warding Bond

Earthquake

Levitate

Imprisonment

3rd Level

Meteor Swarm

Magic Weapon

Holy Aura

Beacon of Hope

Misty Step

Power Word Kill

9th Level

Dispel Magic

Shatter

Time Stop

Astral Projection

Mass Healing Word

Spider Climb

Gate

Protection from Energy

Suggestion

Mass Heal

Remove Curse

Web

True Resurrection

Revivify

3rd Level

Speak with Dead

Counterspell

Spirit Guardians

Dispel Magic

Fireball

Fly

Haste

Lightning Bolt

Major Image

Protection from Energy

Chapter 11: Spells

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Spells. Any active spell or other magical effect on a

Spell Descriptions

creature or an object in the sphere is suppressed while

The spells are presented in alphabetical order.

the creature or object is in it.

Magic Items. The properties and powers of magic

Acid Splash

items are suppressed in the sphere. For example, a

Conjuration cantrip

+1 longsword in the sphere functions as a nonmagical

Casting Time: 1 action

longsword.

Range: 60 feet

A magic weapon’s properties and powers are sup-

Components: V, S

pressed if it is used against a target in the sphere or

Duration: Instantaneous

wielded by an attacker in the sphere. If a magic weapon

or a piece of magic ammunition fully leaves the sphere

You hurl a bubble of acid. Choose one or two creatures

(for example, if you fire a magic arrow or throw a magic

you can see within range. If you choose two, they must

spear at a target outside the sphere), the magic of the

be within 5 feet of each other. A target must succeed on a

item ceases to be suppressed as soon as it exits.

Dexterity saving throw or take 1d6 acid damage.

Magical Travel. Teleportation and planar travel fail to

This spell’s damage increases by 1d6 when you reach

work in the sphere, whether the sphere is the destination

5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and 17th level (4d6).

or the departure point for such magical travel. A portal

Aid

to another location, world, or plane of existence, as well

2nd-level abjuration

as an opening to an extradimensional space such as that

created by the rope trick spell, temporarily closes while

Casting Time: 1 action

in the sphere.

Range: 30 feet

Creatures and Objects. A creature or object sum-

Components: V, S, M (a tiny strip of white cloth)

moned or created by magic temporarily winks out of

Duration: 8 hours

existence in the sphere. Such a creature instantly reap-

Your spell bolsters your allies with toughness and re-

pears once the space the creature occupied is no longer

solve. Choose up to three creatures within range. Each

within the sphere.

target’s hit point maximum and current hit points in-

Dispel Magic. Spells and magical effects such as dispel

crease by 5 for the duration.

magic have no effect on the sphere. Likewise, the spheres

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

created by different antimagic field spells don’t nullify

spell slot of 3rd level or higher, a target’s hit points in-

each other.

crease by an additional 5 for each slot level above 2nd.

Arcane Eye

Antimagic Field

4th-level divination

8th-level abjuration

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 30 feet

Range: Self (10-foot-radius sphere)

Components: V, S, M (a bit of bat fur)

Components: V, S, M (a pinch of powdered iron or

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

iron filings)

You create an invisible, magical eye within range that

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

hovers in the air for the duration.

A 10-foot-radius invisible sphere of antimagic surrounds

You mentally receive visual information from the eye,

you. This area is divorced from the magical energy that

which has normal vision and darkvision out to 30 feet.

suffuses the multiverse. Within the sphere, spells can’t

The eye can look in every direction.

be cast, summoned creatures disappear, and even magic

As an action, you can move the eye up to 30 feet in

items become mundane. Until the spell ends, the sphere

any direction. There is no limit to how far away from

moves with you, centered on you.

you the eye can move, but it can’t enter another plane of

Spells and other magical effects, except those created

existence. A solid barrier blocks the eye’s movement, but

by an artifact or a deity, are suppressed in the sphere

the eye can pass through an opening as small as 1 inch

and can’t protrude into it. A slot expended to cast a sup-

in diameter.

pressed spell is consumed. While an effect is suppressed,

it doesn’t function, but the time it spends suppressed

Arcane Lock

counts against its duration.

2nd-level abjuration

Targeted Effects. Spells and other magical effects,

Casting Time: 1 action

such as magic missile and charm person, that target

Range: Touch

a creature or an object in the sphere have no effect on

Components: V, S, M (gold dust worth at least 25 gp,

that target.

which the spell consumes)

Areas of Magic. The area of another spell or magical

Duration: Until dispelled

effect, such as fireball, can’t extend into the sphere. If the

You touch a closed door, window, gate, chest, or other en-

sphere overlaps an area of magic, the part of the area

tryway, and it becomes locked for the duration. You and

that is covered by the sphere is suppressed. For example,

the creatures you designate when you cast this spell can

the flames created by a wall of fire are suppressed within

open the object normally. You can also set a password

the sphere, creating a gap in the wall if the overlap is

that, when spoken within 5 feet of the object, suppresses

large enough.

this spell for 1 minute. Otherwise, it is impassable

Chapter 11: Spells

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

until it is broken or the spell is dispelled or suppressed.

Augury

Casting knock on the object suppresses arcane lock for

2nd-level divination (ritual)

10 minutes.

Casting Time: 1 minute

While affected by this spell, the object is more difficult

Range: Self

to break or force open; the DC to break it or pick any

Components: V, S, M (specially marked sticks, bones, or

locks on it increases by 10.

similar tokens worth at least 25 gp)

Duration: Instantaneous

Astral Projection

9th-level necromancy

By casting gem-inlaid sticks, rolling dragon bones, laying

out ornate cards, or employing some other divining tool,

Casting Time: 1 hour

you receive an omen from an otherworldly entity about

Range: 10 feet

the results of a specific course of action that you plan to

Components: V, S, M (for each creature you affect with

take within the next 30 minutes. The DM chooses from

this spell, you must provide one jacinth worth at least

the following possible omens:

1,000 gp and one ornately carved bar of silver worth at

least 100 gp, all of which the spell consumes)

Weal, for good results

Duration: Special

Woe, for bad results

Weal and woe, for both good and bad results

You and up to eight willing creatures within range proj-

Nothing, for results that aren’t especially good or bad

ect your astral bodies into the Astral Plane (the spell

fails and the casting is wasted if you are already on that

The spell doesn’t take into account any possible cir-

plane). The material body you leave behind is uncon-

cumstances that might change the outcome, such as

scious and in a state of suspended animation; it doesn’t

the casting of additional spells or the loss or gain of a

need food or air and doesn’t age.

companion.

Your astral body resembles your mortal form in almost

If you cast the spell two or more times before complet-

every way, replicating your game statistics and posses-

ing your next long rest, there is a cumulative 25 percent

sions. The principal difference is the addition of a silvery

chance for each casting after the first that you get a ran-

cord that extends from between your shoulder blades and

dom reading. The DM makes this roll in secret.

trails behind you, fading to invisibility after 1 foot. This

cord is your tether to your material body. As long as the

Beacon of Hope

tether remains intact, you can find your way home. If the

3rd-level abjuration

cord is cut—something that can happen only when an

Casting Time: 1 action

effect specifically states that it does—your soul and body

Range: 30 feet

are separated, killing you instantly.

Components: V, S

Your astral form can freely travel through the Astral

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Plane and can pass through portals there leading to any

This spell bestows hope and vitality. Choose any number

other plane. If you enter a new plane or return to the plane

of creatures within range. For the duration, each target

you were on when casting this spell, your body and pos-

has advantage on Wisdom saving throws and death

sessions are transported along the silver cord, allowing

saving throws, and regains the maximum number of hit

you to re-enter your body as you enter the new plane. Your

points possible from any healing.

astral form is a separate incarnation. Any damage or other

effects that apply to it have no effect on your physical body,

Blade Barrier

nor do they persist when you return to it.

6th-level evocation

The spell ends for you and your companions when

you use your action to dismiss it. When the spell ends,

Casting Time: 1 action

the affected creature returns to its physical body, and

Range: 90 feet

it awakens.

Components: V, S

The spell might also end early for you or one of your

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

companions. A successful dispel magic spell used against

You create a vertical wall of whirling, razor-sharp blades

an astral or physical body ends the spell for that creature.

made of magical energy. The wall appears within range

If a creature’s original body or its astral form drops to

and lasts for the duration. You can make a straight wall

0 hit points, the spell ends for that creature. If the spell

up to 100 feet long, 20 feet high, and 5 feet thick, or a

ends and the silver cord is intact, the cord pulls the

ringed wall up to 60 feet in diameter, 20 feet high, and 5

creature’s astral form back to its body, ending its state of

feet thick. The wall provides three-quarters cover to crea-

suspended animation.

tures behind it, and its space is difficult terrain.

If you are returned to your body prematurely, your com-

When a creature enters the wall’s area for the first time

panions remain in their astral forms and must find their

on a turn or starts its turn there, the creature must make

own way back to their bodies, usually by dropping to 0

a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the creature

hit points.

takes 6d10 slashing damage. On a successful save, the

creature takes half as much damage.

Chapter 11: Spells

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bless

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

1st-level enchantment

spell slot of 7th level or higher, one additional bolt leaps

from the first target to another target for each slot level

Casting Time: 1 action

above 6th.

Range: 30 feet

Components: V, S, M (a sprinkling of holy water)

Charm Person

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

1st-level enchantment

You bless up to three creatures of your choice within

Casting Time: 1 action

range. Whenever a target makes an attack roll or a saving

Range: 30 feet

throw before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and

Components: V, S

add the number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw.

Duration: 1 hour

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

You attempt to charm a humanoid you can see within

spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can target one addi-

range. It must make a Wisdom saving throw, and does so

tional creature for each slot level above 1st.

with advantage if you or your companions are fighting it.

Blur

If it fails the saving throw, it is charmed by you until the

2nd-level illusion

spell ends or until you or your companions do anything

harmful to it. The charmed creature regards you as a

Casting Time: 1 action

friendly acquaintance. When the spell ends, the creature

Range: Self

knows it was charmed by you.

Components: V

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can target one

Your body becomes blurred, shifting and wavering to

additional creature for each slot level above 1st. The

all who can see you. For the duration, any creature has

creatures must be within 30 feet of each other when you

disadvantage on attack rolls against you. An attacker is

target them.

immune to this effect if it doesn’t rely on sight, as with

blindsight, or can see through illusions, as with truesight.

Command

1st-level enchantment

Burning Hands

Casting Time: 1 action

1st-level evocation

Range: 60 feet

Casting Time: 1 action

Components: V

Range: Self (15-foot cone)

Duration: 1 round

Components: V, S

You speak a one-word command to a creature you can

Duration: Instantaneous

see within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom

As you hold your hands with thumbs touching and fingers

saving throw or follow the command on its next turn.

spread, a thin sheet of flames shoots forth from your out-

The spell has no effect if the target is undead, if it doesn’t

stretched fingertips. Each creature in a 15-foot cone must

understand your language, or if your command is directly

make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 3d6 fire

harmful to it.

damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a

Some typical commands and their effects follow. You

successful one.

might issue a command other than one described here. If

The fire ignites any flammable objects in the area that

you do so, the DM determines how the target behaves. If

aren’t being worn or carried.

the target can’t follow your command, the spell ends.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

Approach. The target moves toward you by the short-

spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by

est and most direct route, ending its turn if it moves

1d6 for each slot level above 1st.

within 5 feet of you.

Drop. The target drops whatever it is holding and then

Chain Lightning

ends its turn.

6th-level evocation

Flee. The target spends its turn moving away from you

Casting Time: 1 action

by the fastest available means.

Range: 150 feet

Grovel. The target falls prone and then ends its turn.

Components: V, S, M (a bit of fur; a piece of amber, glass,

Halt. The target doesn’t move and takes no actions. A

or a crystal rod; and three silver pins)

flying creature stays aloft, provided that it is able to do so.

Duration: Instantaneous

If it must move to stay aloft, it flies the minimum distance

needed to remain in the air.

You create a bolt of lightning that arcs toward a target of

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using

your choice that you can see within range. Three bolts

a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can affect one

then leap from that target to as many as three other

additional creature for each slot level above 1st. The

targets, each of which must be within 30 feet of the first

creatures must be within 30 feet of each other when you

target. A target can be a creature or an object and can be

target them.

targeted by only one of the bolts.

A target must make a Dexterity saving throw. The tar-

get takes 10d8 lightning damage on a failed save, or half

as much damage on a successful one.

Chapter 11: Spells

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Commune

Components: S

5th-level divination (ritual)

Duration: Instantaneous

Casting Time: 1 minute

You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of cast-

Range: Self

ing a spell. If the creature is casting a spell of 3rd level

Components: V, S, M (incense and a vial of holy or

or lower, its spell fails and has no effect. If it is casting a

unholy water)

spell of 4th level or higher, make an ability check using

Duration: 1 minute

your spellcasting ability. The DC equals 10 + the spell’s

level. On a success, the creature’s spell fails and has

You contact your deity or a divine proxy and ask up to

no effect.

three questions that can be answered with a yes or no.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

You must ask your questions before the spell ends. You

spell slot of 4th level or higher, the interrupted spell has

receive a correct answer for each question.

no effect if its level is less than or equal to the level of the

Divine beings aren’t necessarily omniscient, so you

spell slot you used.

might receive “unclear” as an answer if a question

pertains to information that lies beyond the deity’s

Cure Wounds

knowledge. In a case where a one-word answer could be

1st-level evocation

misleading or contrary to the deity’s interests, the DM

Casting Time: 1 action

might offer a short phrase as an answer instead.

Range: Touch

If you cast the spell two or more times before finish-

Components: V, S

ing your next long rest, there is a cumulative 25 percent

Duration: Instantaneous

chance for each casting after the first that you get no an-

swer. The DM makes this roll in secret.

A creature you touch regains a number of hit points equal

to 1d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier. This spell has

Comprehend Languages

no effect on undead or constructs.

1st-level divination (ritual)

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

Casting Time: 1 action

spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the healing increases by

Range: Self

1d8 for each slot level above 1st.

Components: V, S, M (a pinch of soot and salt)

Dancing Lights

Duration: 1 hour

Evocation cantrip

For the duration, you understand the literal meaning of

Casting Time: 1 action

any spoken language that you hear. You also understand

Range: 120 feet

any written language that you see, but you must be touch-

Components: V, S, M (a bit of phosphorus or wychwood,

ing the surface on which the words are written. It takes

or a glowworm)

about 1 minute to read one page of text.

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

This spell doesn’t decode secret messages in a text or

a glyph, such as an arcane sigil, that isn’t part of a writ-

You create up to four torch-sized lights within range,

ten language.

making them appear as torches, lanterns, or glowing

orbs that hover in the air for the duration. You can also

Cone of Cold

combine the four lights into one glowing vaguely human-

5th-level evocation

oid form of Medium size. Whichever form you choose,

Casting Time: 1 action

each light sheds dim light in a 10-foot radius.

Range: Self (60-foot cone)

As a bonus action on your turn, you can move the lights

Components: V, S, M (a small crystal or glass cone)

up to 60 feet to a new spot within range. A light must be

Duration: Instantaneous

within 20 feet of another light created by this spell, and a

light winks out if it exceeds the spell’s range.

A blast of cold air erupts from your hands. Each creature

in a 60-foot cone must make a Constitution saving throw.

Darkness

A creature takes 8d8 cold damage on a failed save, or

2nd-level evocation

half as much damage on a successful one.

Casting Time: 1 action

A creature killed by this spell becomes a frozen statue

Range: 60 feet

until it thaws.

Components: V, M (bat fur and a drop of pitch or

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

piece of coal)

spell slot of 6th level or higher, the damage increases by

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

1d8 for each slot level above 5th.

Magical darkness spreads from a point you choose

Counterspell

within range to fill a 15-foot-radius sphere for the dura-

3rd-level abjuration

tion. The darkness spreads around corners. A creature

Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you see a

with darkvision can’t see through this darkness, and non-

creature within 60 feet of you casting a spell

magical light can’t illuminate it.

Range: 60 feet

If the point you choose is on an object you are holding

or one that isn’t being worn or carried, the darkness

emanates from the object and moves with it. Completely

Chapter 11: Spells

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covering the source of the darkness with an opaque ob-

Components: V, S

ject, such as a bowl or a helm, blocks the darkness.

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

If any of this spell’s area overlaps with an area of light

For the duration, you sense the presence of magic within

created by a spell of 2nd level or lower, the spell that cre-

30 feet of you. If you sense magic in this way, you can use

ated the light is dispelled.

your action to see a faint aura around any visible creature

or object in the area that bears magic, and you learn its

Death Ward

school of magic, if any.

4th-level abjuration

The spell can penetrate most barriers, but it is blocked

Casting Time: 1 action

by 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of

Range: Touch

lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt.

Components: V, S

Duration: 8 hours

Dimension Door

4th-level conjuration

You touch a creature and grant it a measure of protection

from death.

Casting Time: 1 action

The first time the target would drop to 0 hit points as a

Range: 500 feet

result of taking damage, the target instead drops to 1 hit

Components: V

point, and the spell ends.

Duration: Instantaneous

If the spell is still in effect when the target is subjected

You teleport yourself from your current location to any

to an effect that would kill it instantaneously without

other spot within range. You arrive at exactly the spot de-

dealing damage, that effect is instead negated against the

sired. It can be a place you can see, one you can visualize,

target, and the spell ends.

or one you can describe by stating distance and direction,

such as “200 feet straight downward” or “upward to the

Delayed Blast Fireball

northwest at a 45-degree angle, 300 feet.”

7th-level evocation

You can bring along objects as long as their weight

Casting Time: 1 action

doesn’t exceed what you can carry. You can also bring

Range: 150 feet

one willing creature of your size or smaller who is carry-

Components: V, S, M (a tiny ball of bat guano and sulfur)

ing gear up to its carrying capacity. The creature must be

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

within 5 feet of you when you cast this spell.

A beam of yellow light flashes from your pointing finger,

If you would arrive in a place already occupied by an

then condenses to linger at a chosen point within range

object or a creature, you and any creature traveling with

as a glowing bead for the duration. When the spell ends,

you each take 4d6 force damage, and the spell fails to

either because your concentration is broken or because

teleport you.

you decide to end it, the bead blossoms with a low roar

Disguise Self

into an explosion of flame that spreads around corners.

1st-level illusion

Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on

that point must make a Dexterity saving throw. A crea-

Casting Time: 1 action

ture takes fire damage equal to the total accumulated

Range: Self

damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a

Components: V, S

successful one.

Duration: 1 hour

The spell’s base damage is 12d6. If at the end of your

You make yourself—including your clothing, armor, weap-

turn the bead has not yet detonated, the damage in-

ons, and other belongings on your person—look different

creases by 1d6.

until the spell ends or until you use your action to dismiss

If the glowing bead is touched before the interval has

it. You can seem 1 foot shorter or taller and can appear

expired, the creature touching it must make a Dexterity

thin, fat, or in between. You can’t change your body type,

saving throw. On a failed save, the spell ends immedi-

so you must adopt a form that has the same basic ar-

ately, causing the bead to erupt in flame. On a successful

rangement of limbs. Otherwise, the extent of the illusion

save, the creature can throw the bead up to 40 feet. When

is up to you.

it strikes a creature or a solid object, the spell ends, and

The changes wrought by this spell fail to hold up to

the bead explodes.

physical inspection. For example, if you use this spell to

The fire damages objects in the area and ignites flam-

add a hat to your outfit, objects pass through the hat, and

mable objects that aren’t being worn or carried.

anyone who touches it would feel nothing or would feel

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using

your head and hair. If you use this spell to appear thinner

a spell slot of 8th level or higher, the base damage in-

than you are, the hand of someone who reaches out to

creases by 1d6 for each slot level above 7th.

touch you would bump into you while it was seemingly

still in midair.

Detect Magic

To discern that you are disguised, a creature can use

1st-level divination (ritual)

its action to inspect your appearance and must succeed

Casting Time: 1 action

on an Intelligence (Investigation) check against your

Range: Self

spell save DC.

Chapter 11: Spells

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Disintegrate

If you cast the spell two or more times before finish-

6th-level transmutation

ing your next long rest, there is a cumulative 25 percent

chance for each casting after the first that you get a ran-

Casting Time: 1 action

dom reading. The DM makes this roll in secret.

Range: 60 feet

Components: V, S, M (a lodestone and a pinch of dust)

Dominate Monster

Duration: Instantaneous

8th-level enchantment

A thin green ray springs from your pointing finger to a

Casting Time: 1 action

target that you can see within range. The target can be a

Range: 60 feet

creature, an object, or a creation of magical force, such as

Components: V, S

the wall created by wall of force.

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

A creature targeted by this spell must make a Dexterity

You attempt to beguile a creature that you can see within

saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 10d6 + 40

range. It must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be

force damage. The target is disintegrated if this damage

charmed by you for the duration. If you or creatures that

leaves it with 0 hit points.

are friendly to you are fighting it, it has advantage on the

A disintegrated creature and everything it is wearing

saving throw.

and carrying, except magic items, are reduced to a pile of

While the creature is charmed, you have a telepathic

fine gray dust. The creature can be restored to life only by

link with it as long as the two of you are on the same

means of a true resurrection or a wish spell.

plane of existence. You can use this telepathic link to

This spell automatically disintegrates a Large or

issue commands to the creature while you are conscious

smaller nonmagical object or a creation of magical force.

(no action required), which it does its best to obey. You

If the target is a Huge or larger object or creation of force,

can specify a simple and general course of action, such

this spell disintegrates a 10-foot-cube portion of it. A

as “Attack that creature,” “Run over there,” or “Fetch that

magic item is unaffected by this spell.

object.” If the creature completes the order and doesn’t

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

receive further direction from you, it defends and pre-

spell slot of 7th level or higher, the damage increases by

serves itself to the best of its ability.

3d6 for each slot level above 6th.

You can use your action to take total and precise con-

Dispel Magic

trol of the target. Until the end of your next turn, the

3rd-level abjuration

creature takes only the actions you choose, and doesn’t

do anything that you don’t allow it to do. During this time,

Casting Time: 1 action

you can also cause the creature to use a reaction, but this

Range: 120 feet

requires you to use your own reaction as well.

Components: V, S

Each time the target takes damage, it makes a new

Duration: Instantaneous

Wisdom saving throw against the spell. If the saving

Choose one creature, object, or magical effect within

throw succeeds, the spell ends.

range. Any spell of 3rd level or lower on the target ends.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell with a

For each spell of 4th level or higher on the target, make

9th-level spell slot, the duration is concentration, up

an ability check using your spellcasting ability. The DC

to 8 hours.

equals 10 + the spell’s level. On a successful check, the

spell ends.

Dominate Person

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

5th-level enchantment

spell slot of 4th level or higher, you automatically end the

Casting Time: 1 action

effects of a spell on the target if the spell’s level is equal to

Range: 60 feet

or less than the level of the spell slot you used.

Components: V, S

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Divination

4th-level divination (ritual)

You attempt to beguile a humanoid that you can see

within range. It must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw

Casting Time: 1 action

or be charmed by you for the duration. If you or creatures

Range: Self

that are friendly to you are fighting it, it has advantage on

Components: V, S, M (incense and a sacrificial offering

the saving throw.

appropriate to your religion, together worth at least 25

While the target is charmed, you have a telepathic link

gp, which the spell consumes)

with it as long as the two of you are on the same plane of

Duration: Instantaneous

existence. You can use this telepathic link to issue com-

Your magic and an offering put you in contact with a god

mands to the creature while you are conscious (no action

or a god’s servants. You ask a single question concerning

required), which it does its best to obey. You can specify a

a specific goal, event, or activity to occur within 7 days.

simple and general course of action, such as “Attack that

The DM offers a truthful reply. The reply might be a short

creature,” “Run over there,” or “Fetch that object.” If the

phrase, a cryptic rhyme, or an omen.

creature completes the order and doesn’t receive further

The spell doesn’t take into account any possible cir-

direction from you, it defends and preserves itself to the

cumstances that might change the outcome, such as

best of its ability.

the casting of additional spells or the loss or gain of a

companion.

Chapter 11: Spells

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You can use your action to take total and precise con-

Components: V, S, M (a pinch of dirt, a piece of rock, and

trol of the target. Until the end of your next turn, the

a lump of clay)

creature takes only the actions you choose, and doesn’t

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

do anything that you don’t allow it to do. During this time

You create a seismic disturbance at a point on the ground

you can also cause the creature to use a reaction, but this

that you can see within range. For the duration, an in-

requires you to use your own reaction as well.

tense tremor rips through the ground in a 100-foot-radius

Each time the target takes damage, it makes a new

circle centered on that point and shakes creatures and

Wisdom saving throw against the spell. If the saving

structures in contact with the ground in that area.

throw succeeds, the spell ends.

The ground in the area becomes difficult terrain. Each

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

creature on the ground that is concentrating must make a

6th-level spell slot, the duration is concentration, up to 10

Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature’s

minutes. When you use a 7th-level spell slot, the duration

concentration is broken.

is concentration, up to 1 hour. When you use a spell slot

When you cast this spell and at the end of each turn

of 8th level or higher, the duration is concentration, up

you spend concentrating on it, each creature on the

to 8 hours.

ground in the area must make a Dexterity saving throw.

On a failed save, the creature is knocked prone.

Dream

This spell can have additional effects depending on the

5th-level illusion

terrain in the area, as determined by the DM.

Casting Time: 1 minute

Fissures. Fissures open throughout the spell’s area at

Range: Special

the start of your next turn after you cast the spell. A total

Components: V, S, M (a handful of sand, a dab of ink,

of 1d6 such fissures open in locations chosen by the DM.

and a writing quill plucked from a sleeping bird)

Each is 1d10 × 10 feet deep, 10 feet wide, and extends

Duration: 8 hours

from one edge of the spell’s area to the opposite side. A

This spell shapes a creature’s dreams. Choose a creature

creature standing on a spot where a fissure opens must

known to you as the target of this spell. The target must

succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or fall in. A creature

be on the same plane of existence as you. Creatures that

that successfully saves moves with the fissure’s edge

don’t sleep, such as elves, can’t be contacted by this spell.

as it opens.

You, or a willing creature you touch, enters a trance state,

A fissure that opens beneath a structure causes it to

acting as a messenger. While in the trance, the messen-

automatically collapse (see below).

ger is aware of his or her surroundings, but can’t take

Structures. The tremor deals 50 bludgeoning damage

actions or move.

to any structure in contact with the ground in the area

If the target is asleep, the messenger appears in the

when you cast the spell and at the start of each of your

target’s dreams and can converse with the target as long

turns until the spell ends. If a structure drops to 0 hit

as it remains asleep, through the duration of the spell.

points, it collapses and potentially damages nearby crea-

The messenger can also shape the environment of the

tures. A creature within half the distance of a structure’s

dream, creating landscapes, objects, and other images.

height must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed

The messenger can emerge from the trance at any time,

save, the creature takes 5d6 bludgeoning damage, is

ending the effect of the spell early. The target recalls the

knocked prone, and is buried in the rubble, requiring a

dream perfectly upon waking. If the target is awake when

DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check as an action to escape.

you cast the spell, the messenger knows it, and can either

The DM can adjust the DC higher or lower, depending on

end the trance (and the spell) or wait for the target to fall

the nature of the rubble. On a successful save, the crea-

asleep, at which point the messenger appears in the tar-

ture takes half as much damage and doesn’t fall prone or

get’s dreams.

become buried.

You can make the messenger appear monstrous and

Etherealness

terrifying to the target. If you do, the messenger can de-

7th-level transmutation

liver a message of no more than ten words and then the

target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed

Casting Time: 1 action

save, echoes of the phantasmal monstrosity spawn a

Range: Self

nightmare that lasts the duration of the target’s sleep and

Components: V, S

prevents the target from gaining any benefit from that

Duration: Up to 8 hours

rest. In addition, when the target wakes up, it takes 3d6

You step into the border regions of the Ethereal Plane, in

psychic damage.

the area where it overlaps with your current plane. You

If you have a body part, lock of hair, clipping from a

remain in the Border Ethereal for the duration or until

nail, or similar portion of the target’s body, the target

you use your action to dismiss the spell. During this time,

makes its saving throw with disadvantage.

you can move in any direction. If you move up or down,

every foot of movement costs an extra foot. You can see

Earthquake

and hear the plane you originated from, but everything

8th-level evocation

there looks gray, and you can’t see anything more than

Casting Time: 1 action

60 feet away.

Range: 500 feet

While on the Ethereal Plane, you can only affect and be

affected by other creatures on that plane. Creatures that

aren’t on the Ethereal Plane can’t perceive you and can’t

Chapter 11: Spells

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interact with you, unless a special ability or magic has

Finger of Death

given them the ability to do so.

7th-level necromancy

You ignore all objects and effects that aren’t on the

Casting Time: 1 action

Ethereal Plane, allowing you to move through objects you

Range: 60 feet

perceive on the plane you originated from.

Components: V, S

When the spell ends, you immediately return to the

Duration: Instantaneous

plane you originated from in the spot you currently

occupy. If you occupy the same spot as a solid object

You send negative energy coursing through a creature

or creature when this happens, you are immediately

that you can see within range, causing it searing pain.

shunted to the nearest unoccupied space that you can oc-

The target must make a Constitution saving throw. It

cupy and take force damage equal to twice the number of

takes 7d8 + 30 necrotic damage on a failed save, or half

feet you are moved.

as much damage on a successful one.

This spell has no effect if you cast it while you are on

A humanoid killed by this spell rises at the start of your

the Ethereal Plane or a plane that doesn’t border it, such

next turn as a zombie that is permanently under your

as one of the Outer Planes.

command, following your verbal orders to the best of

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

its ability.

spell slot of 8th level or higher, you can target up to three

Fireball

willing creatures (including you) for each slot level above

3rd-level evocation

7th. The creatures must be within 10 feet of you when

you cast the spell.

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 150 feet

Find the Path

Components: V, S, M (a tiny ball of bat guano and sulfur)

6th-level divination

Duration: Instantaneous

Casting Time: 1 minute

A bright streak flashes from your pointing finger to a

Range: Self

point you choose within range and then blossoms with

Components: V, S, M (a set of divinatory tools—such

a low roar into an explosion of flame. Each creature

as bones, ivory sticks, cards, teeth, or carved runes—

in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must

worth 100 gp and an object from the location you

make a Dexterity saving throw. A target takes 8d6 fire

wish to find)

damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 day

successful one.

This spell allows you to find the shortest, most direct

The fire spreads around corners. It ignites flammable

physical route to a specific fixed location that you are

objects in the area that aren’t being worn or carried.

familiar with on the same plane of existence. If you name

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

a destination on another plane of existence, a destination

spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by

that moves (such as a mobile fortress), or a destination

1d6 for each slot level above 3rd.

that isn’t specific (such as “a green dragon’s lair”), the

Fire Bolt

spell fails.

Evocation cantrip

For the duration, as long as you are on the same plane

of existence as the destination, you know how far it is and

Casting Time: 1 action

in what direction it lies. While you are traveling there,

Range: 120 feet

whenever you are presented with a choice of paths along

Components: V, S

the way, you automatically determine which path is the

Duration: Instantaneous

shortest and most direct route (but not necessarily the

You hurl a mote of fire at a creature or object within

safest route) to the destination.

range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a

hit, the target takes 1d10 fire damage. A flammable object

Faerie Fire

hit by this spell ignites if it isn’t being worn or carried.

1st-level evocation

This spell’s damage increases by 1d10 when you reach

Casting Time: 1 action

5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 17th level (4d10).

Range: 60 feet

Components: V

Fire Storm

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

7th-level evocation

Each object in a 20-foot cube within range is outlined in

Casting Time: 1 action

blue, green, or violet light (your choice). Any creature in

Range: 150 feet

the area when the spell is cast is also outlined in light if

Components: V, S

it fails a Dexterity saving throw. For the duration, objects

Duration: Instantaneous

and affected creatures shed dim light in a 10-foot radius.

A storm made up of sheets of roaring flame appears in a

Any attack roll against an affected creature or object

location you choose within range. The area of the storm

has advantage if the attacker can see it, and the affected

consists of up to ten 10-foot cubes, which you can ar-

creature or object can’t benefit from being invisible.

range as you wish. Each cube must have at least one face

adjacent to the face of another cube. Each creature in the

area must make a Dexterity saving throw. It takes 7d10

Chapter 11: Spells

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fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a

Foresight

successful one.

9th-level divination

The fire damages objects in the area and ignites flam-

Casting Time: 1 minute

mable objects that aren’t being worn or carried. If you

Range: Touch

choose, plant life in the area is unaffected by this spell.

Components: V, S, M (a hummingbird feather)

Duration: 8 hours

Flame Strike

5th-level evocation

You touch a willing creature and bestow a limited ability

to see into the immediate future. For the duration, the tar-

Casting Time: 1 action

get can’t be surprised and has advantage on attack rolls,

Range: 60 feet

ability checks, and saving throws. Additionally, other

Components: V, S, M (pinch of sulfur)

creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls against the

Duration: Instantaneous

target for the duration.

A vertical column of divine fire roars down from the

This spell immediately ends if you cast it again before

heavens in a location you specify. Each creature in a

its duration ends.

10-foot-radius, 40-foot-high cylinder centered on a point

within range must make a Dexterity saving throw. A crea-

Freedom of Movement

ture takes 4d6 fire damage and 4d6 radiant damage on a

4th-level abjuration

failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Casting Time: 1 action

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

Range: Touch

spell slot of 6th level or higher, the fire damage or the ra-

Components: V, S, M (a leather strap, bound around the

diant damage (your choice) increases by 1d6 for each slot

arm or a similar appendage)

level above 5th.

Duration: 1 hour

Flaming Sphere

You touch a willing creature. For the duration, the tar-

2nd-level conjuration

get’s movement is unaffected by difficult terrain, and

spells and other magical effects can neither reduce the

Casting Time: 1 action

target’s speed nor cause the target to be paralyzed or

Range: 60 feet

restrained.

Components: V, S, M (a bit of tallow, a pinch of

The target can also spend 5 feet of movement to au-

brimstone, and a dusting of powdered iron)

tomatically escape from nonmagical restraints, such as

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

manacles or a creature that has it grappled. Finally, being

A 5-foot-diameter sphere of fire appears in an unoccupied

underwater imposes no penalties on the target’s move-

space of your choice within range and lasts for the dura-

ment or attacks.

tion. Any creature that ends its turn within 5 feet of the

sphere must make a Dexterity saving throw. The creature

Gate

takes 2d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much

9th-level conjuration

damage on a successful one.

Casting Time: 1 action

As a bonus action, you can move the sphere up to 30

Range: 60 feet

feet. If you ram the sphere into a creature, that creature

Components: V, S, M (a diamond worth at least 5,000 gp)

must make the saving throw against the sphere’s dam-

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

age, and the sphere stops moving this turn.

When you move the sphere, you can direct it over bar-

You conjure a portal linking an unoccupied space you can

riers up to 5 feet tall and jump it across pits up to 10 feet

see within range to a precise location on a different plane

wide. The sphere ignites flammable objects not being

of existence. The portal is a circular opening, which you

worn or carried, and it sheds bright light in a 20-foot ra-

can make 5 to 20 feet in diameter. You can orient the

dius and dim light for an additional 20 feet.

portal in any direction you choose. The portal lasts for

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

the duration.

spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage increases by

The portal has a front and a back on each plane where

1d6 for each slot level above 2nd.

it appears. Travel through the portal is possible only by

moving through its front. Anything that does so is in-

Fly

stantly transported to the other plane, appearing in the

3rd-level transmutation

unoccupied space nearest to the portal.

Deities and other planar rulers can prevent portals

Casting Time: 1 action

created by this spell from opening in their presence or

Range: Touch

anywhere within their domains.

Components: V, S, M (a wing feather from any bird)

When you cast this spell, you can speak the name of a

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

specific creature (a pseudonym, title, or nickname doesn’t

You touch a willing creature. The target gains a flying

work). If that creature is on a plane other than the one

speed of 60 feet for the duration. When the spell ends, the

you are on, the portal opens in the named creature’s im-

target falls if it is still aloft, unless it can stop the fall.

mediate vicinity and draws the creature through it to the

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

spell slot of 4th level or higher, you can target one addi-

tional creature for each slot level above 3rd.

Chapter 11: Spells

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nearest unoccupied space on your side of the portal. You

Components: V

gain no special power over the creature, and it is free to

Duration: 8 hours

act as the DM deems appropriate. It might leave, attack

A Large spectral guardian appears and hovers for the

you, or help you.

duration in an unoccupied space of your choice that you

can see within range. The guardian occupies that space

Globe of Invulnerability

and is indistinct except for a gleaming sword and shield

6th-level abjuration

emblazoned with the symbol of your deity.

Casting Time: 1 action

Any creature hostile to you that moves to a space

Range: Self (10-foot radius)

within 10 feet of the guardian for the first time on a turn

Components: V, S, M (a glass or crystal bead that

must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw. The creature

shatters when the spell ends)

takes 20 radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

damage on a successful one. The guardian vanishes

An immobile, faintly shimmering barrier springs into

when it has dealt a total of 60 damage.

existence in a 10-foot radius around you and remains for

Guidance

the duration.

Divination cantrip

Any spell of 5th level or lower cast from outside the

barrier can’t affect creatures or objects within it, even

Casting Time: 1 action

if the spell is cast using a higher level spell slot. Such a

Range: Touch

spell can target creatures and objects within the barrier,

Components: V, S

but the spell has no effect on them. Similarly, the area

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

within the barrier is excluded from the areas affected by

You touch one willing creature. Once before the spell

such spells.

ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

to one ability check of its choice. It can roll the die before

spell slot of 7th level or higher, the barrier blocks spells of

or after making the ability check. The spell then ends.

one level higher for each slot level above 6th.

Guiding Bolt

Greater Invisibility

1st-level evocation

4th-level illusion

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 120 feet

Range: Touch

Components: V, S

Duration: 1 round

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

A flash of light streaks toward a creature of your choice

You or a creature you touch becomes invisible until the

within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the tar-

spell ends. Anything the target is wearing or carrying is

get. On a hit, the target takes 4d6 radiant damage, and

invisible as long as it is on the target’s person.

the next attack roll made against this target before the

end of your next turn has advantage, thanks to the mysti-

Greater Restoration

cal dim light glittering on the target until then.

5th-level abjuration

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

Casting Time: 1 action

spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by

Range: Touch

1d6 for each slot level above 1st.

Components: V, S, M (diamond dust worth at least 100

gp, which the spell consumes)

Harm

Duration: Instantaneous

6th-level necromancy

You imbue a creature you touch with positive energy to

Casting Time: 1 action

undo a debilitating effect. You can reduce the target’s

Range: 60 feet

exhaustion level by one, or end one of the following

Components: V, S

effects on the target:

Duration: Instantaneous

• One effect that charmed or petrified the target

You unleash a virulent disease on a creature that you can

• One curse, including the target’s attunement to a

see within range. The target must make a Constitution

cursed magic item

saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 14d6 necrotic

• Any reduction to one of the target’s ability scores

damage, or half as much damage on a successful save.

• One effect reducing the target’s hit point maximum

The damage can’t reduce the target’s hit points below 1.

If the target fails the saving throw, its hit point maximum

Guardian of Faith

is reduced for 1 hour by an amount equal to the necrotic

4th-level conjuration

damage it took. Any effect that removes a disease allows

Casting Time: 1 action

a creature’s hit point maximum to return to normal be-

Range: 30 feet

fore that time passes.

Haste

3rd-level transmutation

Casting Time: 1 action

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Range: 30 feet

gains the same number of hit points. These benefits last

Components: V, S, M (a shaving of licorice root)

for 24 hours.

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Hold Person

Choose a willing creature that you can see within range.

2nd-level enchantment

Until the spell ends, the target’s speed is doubled, it gains

a +2 bonus to AC, it has advantage on Dexterity saving

Casting Time: 1 action

throws, and it gains an additional action on each of its

Range: 60 feet

turns. That action can be used only to take the Attack

Components: V, S, M (a small, straight piece of iron)

(one weapon attack only), Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

an Object action.

Choose a humanoid that you can see within range. The

When the spell ends, the target can’t move or take

target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be

actions until after its next turn, as a wave of lethargy

paralyzed for the duration. At the end of each of its turns,

sweeps over it.

the target can make another Wisdom saving throw. On a

success, the spell ends on the target.

Heal

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

6th-level evocation

spell slot of 3rd level or higher, you can target one ad-

Casting Time: 1 action

ditional humanoid for each slot level above 2nd. The

Range: 60 feet

humanoids must be within 30 feet of each other when

Components: V, S

you target them.

Duration: Instantaneous

Holy Aura

Choose a creature that you can see within range. A surge

8th-level abjuration

of positive energy washes through the creature, causing

Casting Time: 1 action

it to regain 70 hit points. This spell also ends blindness,

Range: Self

deafness, and any diseases affecting the target. This spell

Components: V, S, M (a tiny reliquary worth at least

has no effect on constructs or undead.

1,000 gp containing a sacred relic, such as a scrap of

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

cloth from a saint’s robe or a piece of parchment from a

spell slot of 7th level or higher, the amount of healing in-

religious text)

creases by 10 for each slot level above 6th.

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Healing Word

Divine light washes out from you and coalesces in a soft

1st-level evocation

radiance in a 30-foot radius around you. Creatures of

Casting Time: 1 bonus action

your choice in that radius when you cast this spell shed

Range: 60 feet

dim light in a 5-foot radius and have advantage on all

Components: V

saving throws, and other creatures have disadvantage on

Duration: Instantaneous

attack rolls against them until the spell ends. In addition,

when a fiend or an undead hits an affected creature with

A creature of your choice that you can see within range

a melee attack, the aura flashes with brilliant light. The

regains hit points equal to 1d4 + your spellcasting

attacker must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or

ability modifier. This spell has no effect on undead or

be blinded until the spell ends.

constructs.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

Ice Storm

spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the healing increases by

4th-level evocation

1d4 for each slot level above 1st.

Casting Time: 1 action

Heroes’ Feast

Range: 300 feet

6th-level conjuration

Components: V, S, M (a pinch of dust and a few

drops of water)

Casting Time: 10 minutes

Duration: Instantaneous

Range: 30 feet

Components: V, S , M (a gem-encrusted bowl worth at

A hail of rock-hard ice pounds to the ground in a

least 1,000 gp, which the spell consumes)

20-foot-radius, 40-foot-high cylinder centered on a point

Duration: Instantaneous

within range. Each creature in the cylinder must make a

Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 2d8 bludgeon-

You bring forth a great feast, including magnificent food

ing damage and 4d6 cold damage on a failed save, or half

and drink. The feast takes 1 hour to consume and disap-

as much damage on a successful one.

pears at the end of that time, and the beneficial effects

Hailstones turn the storm’s area of effect into difficult

don’t set in until this hour is over. Up to twelve creatures

terrain until the end of your next turn.

can partake of the feast.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

A creature that partakes of the feast gains several

spell slot of 5th level or higher, the bludgeoning damage

benefits. The creature is cured of all diseases and poi-

increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 4th.

son, becomes immune to poison and being frightened,

and makes all Wisdom saving throws with advantage.

Its hit point maximum also increases by 2d10, and it

Chapter 11: Spells

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Identify

in), but nothing else can pass through, even by means of

1st-level divination (ritual)

teleportation or planar travel. The gemstone can’t be cut

or broken while the spell remains in effect.

Casting Time: 1 minute

The special component for this version of the spell is

Range: Touch

a large, transparent gemstone, such as a corundum, dia-

Components: V, S, M (a pearl worth at least 100 gp and

mond, or ruby.

an owl feather)

Slumber. The target falls asleep and can’t be awoken.

Duration: Instantaneous

The special component for this version of the spell con-

You choose one object that you must touch throughout

sists of rare soporific herbs.

the casting of the spell. If it is a magic item or some other

Ending the Spell. During the casting of the spell, in

magic-imbued object, you learn its properties and how to

any of its versions, you can specify a condition that will

use them, whether it requires attunement to use, and how

cause the spell to end and release the target. The con-

many charges it has, if any. You learn whether any spells

dition can be as specific or as elaborate as you choose,

are affecting the item and what they are. If the item was

but the DM must agree that the condition is reasonable

created by a spell, you learn which spell created it.

and has a likelihood of coming to pass. The conditions

If you instead touch a creature throughout the casting,

can be based on a creature’s name, identity, or deity but

you learn what spells, if any, are currently affecting it.

otherwise must be based on observable actions or qual-

ities and not based on intangibles such as level, class, or

Imprisonment

hit points.

9th-level abjuration

A dispel magic spell can end the spell only if it is cast as

Casting Time: 1 minute

a 9th-level spell, targeting either the prison or the special

Range: 30 feet

component used to create it.

Components: V, S, M (a vellum depiction or a carved

You can use a particular special component to create

statuette in the likeness of the target, and a special

only one prison at a time. If you cast the spell again using

component that varies according to the version of the

the same component, the target of the first casting is im-

spell you choose, worth at least 500 gp per Hit Die

mediately freed from its binding.

of the target)

Inflict Wounds

Duration: Until dispelled

1st-level necromancy

You create a magical restraint to hold a creature that you

Casting Time: 1 action

can see within range. The target must succeed on a Wis-

Range: Touch

dom saving throw or be bound by the spell; if it succeeds,

Components: V, S

it is immune to this spell if you cast it again. While af-

Duration: Instantaneous

fected by this spell, the creature doesn’t need to breathe,

eat, or drink, and it doesn’t age. Divination spells can’t

Make a melee spell attack against a creature you can

locate or perceive the target.

reach. On a hit, the target takes 3d10 necrotic damage.

When you cast the spell, you choose one of the follow-

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

ing forms of imprisonment.

spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by

Burial. The target is entombed far beneath the earth in

1d10 for each slot level above 1st.

a sphere of magical force that is just large enough to con-

tain the target. Nothing can pass through the sphere, nor

Invisibility

can any creature teleport or use planar travel to get into

2nd-level illusion

or out of it.

Casting Time: 1 action

The special component for this version of the spell is a

Range: Touch

small mithral orb.

Components: V, S, M (an eyelash encased in gum arabic)

Chaining. Heavy chains, firmly rooted in the ground,

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

hold the target in place. The target is restrained until the

A creature you touch becomes invisible until the spell

spell ends, and it can’t move or be moved by any means

ends. Anything the target is wearing or carrying is invis-

until then.

ible as long as it is on the target’s person. The spell ends

The special component for this version of the spell is a

for a target that attacks or casts a spell.

fine chain of precious metal.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

Hedged Prison. The spell transports the target into a

spell slot of 3rd level or higher, you can target one addi-

tiny demiplane that is warded against teleportation and

tional creature for each slot level above 2nd.

planar travel. The demiplane can be a labyrinth, a cage,

a tower, or any similar confined structure or area of

Knock

your choice.

2nd-level transmutation

The special component for this version of the spell is a

miniature representation of the prison made from jade.

Casting Time: 1 action

Minimus Containment. The target shrinks to a height

Range: 60 feet

of 1 inch and is imprisoned inside a gemstone or similar

Components: V

object. Light can pass through the gemstone normally

Duration: Instantaneous

(allowing the target to see out and other creatures to see

Choose an object that you can see within range. The

object can be a door, a box, a chest, a set of manacles, a

Chapter 11: Spells

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padlock, or another object that contains a mundane or

If you target an object held or worn by a hostile crea-

magical means that prevents access.

ture, that creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving

A target that is held shut by a mundane lock or that

throw to avoid the spell.

is stuck or barred becomes unlocked, unstuck, or un-

Lightning Bolt

barred. If the object has multiple locks, only one of them

is unlocked.

3rd-level evocation

If you choose a target that is held shut with arcane lock,

Casting Time: 1 action

that spell is suppressed for 10 minutes, during which

Range: Self (100-foot line)

time the target can be opened and shut normally.

Components: V, S, M (a bit of fur and a rod of amber,

When you cast the spell, a loud knock, audible from as

crystal, or glass)

far away as 300 feet, emanates from the target object.

Duration: Instantaneous

Lesser Restoration

A stroke of lightning forming a line 100 feet long and 5

feet wide blasts out from you in a direction you choose.

2nd-level abjuration

Each creature in the line must make a Dexterity saving

Casting Time: 1 action

throw. A creature takes 8d6 lightning damage on a failed

Range: Touch

save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Components: V, S

The lightning ignites flammable objects in the area that

Duration: Instantaneous

aren’t being worn or carried.

You touch a creature and can end either one disease or

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

one condition afflicting it. The condition can be blinded,

spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by

deafened, paralyzed, or poisoned.

1d6 for each slot level above 3rd.

Levitate

Locate Creature

2nd-level transmutation

4th-level divination

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 60 feet

Range: Self

Components: V, S, M (either a small leather loop or a

Components: V, S, M (a bit of fur from a bloodhound)

piece of golden wire bent into a cup shape with a long

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

shank on one end)

Describe or name a creature that is familiar to you. You

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

sense the direction to the creature’s location, as long as

One creature or loose object of your choice that you

that creature is within 1,000 feet of you. If the creature is

can see within range rises vertically, up to 20 feet, and

moving, you know the direction of its movement.

remains suspended there for the duration. The spell

The spell can locate a specific creature known to

can levitate a target that weighs up to 500 pounds. An

you, or the nearest creature of a specific kind (such as

unwilling creature that succeeds on a Constitution saving

a human or a unicorn), so long as you have seen such a

throw is unaffected.

creature up close—within 30 feet—at least once. If the

The target can move only by pushing or pulling against

creature you described or named is in a different form,

a fixed object or surface within reach (such as a wall or

such as being under the effects of a polymorph spell, this

a ceiling), which allows it to move as if it were climbing.

spell doesn’t locate the creature.

You can change the target’s altitude by up to 20 feet in

This spell can’t locate a creature if running water at

either direction on your turn. If you are the target, you

least 10 feet wide blocks a direct path between you and

can move up or down as part of your move. Otherwise,

the creature.

you can use your action to move the target, which must

remain within the spell’s range.

Mage Armor

When the spell ends, the target floats gently to the

1st-level abjuration

ground if it is still aloft.

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: Touch

Light

Components: V, S, M (a piece of cured leather)

Evocation cantrip

Duration: 8 hours

Casting Time: 1 action

You touch a willing creature who isn’t wearing armor,

Range: Touch

and a protective magical force surrounds it until the spell

Components: V, M (a firefly or phosphorescent moss)

ends. The target’s base AC becomes 13 + its Dexterity

Duration: 1 hour

modifier. The spell ends if the target dons armor or if you

You touch one object that is no larger than 10 feet in any

dismiss the spell as an action.

dimension. Until the spell ends, the object sheds bright

Mage Hand

light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional

20 feet. The light can be colored as you like. Completely

Conjuration cantrip

covering the object with something opaque blocks the

Casting Time: 1 action

light. The spell ends if you cast it again or dismiss it as

Range: 30 feet

an action.

Chapter 11: Spells

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Components: V, S

spot within range. As the image changes location, you

Duration: 1 minute

can alter its appearance so that its movements appear

natural for the image. For example, if you create an im-

A spectral, floating hand appears at a point you choose

age of a creature and move it, you can alter the image so

within range. The hand lasts for the duration or until

that it appears to be walking. Similarly, you can cause the

you dismiss it as an action. The hand vanishes if it is

illusion to make different sounds at different times, even

ever more than 30 feet away from you or if you cast this

making it carry on a conversation, for example.

spell again.

Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be an

You can use your action to control the hand. You can

illusion, because things can pass through it. A creature

use the hand to manipulate an object, open an unlocked

that uses its action to examine the image can determine

door or container, stow or retrieve an item from an open

that it is an illusion with a successful Intelligence (Inves-

container, or pour the contents out of a vial. You can

tigation) check against your spell save DC. If a creature

move the hand up to 30 feet each time you use it.

discerns the illusion for what it is, the creature can see

The hand can’t attack, activate magic items, or carry

through the image, and its other sensory qualities be-

more than 10 pounds.

come faint to the creature.

Magic Missile

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

spell slot of 6th level or higher, the spell lasts until dis-

1st-level evocation

pelled, without requiring your concentration.

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 120 feet

Mass Cure Wounds

Components: V, S

5th-level evocation

Duration: Instantaneous

Casting Time: 1 action

You create three glowing darts of magical force. Each

Range: 60 feet

dart hits a creature of your choice that you can see within

Components: V, S

range. A dart deals 1d4 + 1 force damage to its target.

Duration: Instantaneous

The darts all strike simultaneously, and you can direct

A wave of healing energy washes out from a point of

them to hit one creature or several.

your choice within range. Choose up to six creatures

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

in a 30-foot-radius sphere centered on that point. Each

spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the spell creates one

target regains hit points equal to 3d8 + your spellcasting

more dart for each slot level above 1st.

ability modifier. This spell has no effect on undead or

Magic Weapon

constructs.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

2nd-level transmutation

spell slot of 6th level or higher, the healing increases by

Casting Time: 1 bonus action

1d8 for each slot level above 5th.

Range: Touch

Components: V, S

Mass Heal

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

9th-level evocation

You touch a nonmagical weapon. Until the spell ends,

Casting Time: 1 action

that weapon becomes a magic weapon with a +1 bonus to

Range: 60 feet

attack rolls and damage rolls.

Components: V, S

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

Duration: Instantaneous

spell slot of 4th level or higher, the bonus increases to +2.

A flood of healing energy flows from you into injured

When you use a spell slot of 6th level or higher, the bonus

creatures around you. You restore up to 700 hit points, di-

increases to +3.

vided as you choose among any number of creatures that

Major Image

you can see within range. Creatures healed by this spell

are also cured of all diseases and any effect making them

3rd-level illusion

blinded or deafened. This spell has no effect on undead

Casting Time: 1 action

or constructs.

Range: 120 feet

Components: V, S, M (a bit of fleece)

Mass Healing Word

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

3rd-level evocation

You create the image of an object, a creature, or some

Casting Time: 1 bonus action

other visible phenomenon that is no larger than a 20-

Range: 60 feet

foot cube. The image appears at a spot that you can see

Components: V

within range and lasts for the duration. It seems com-

Duration: Instantaneous

pletely real, including sounds, smells, and temperature

As you call out words of restoration, up to six creatures

appropriate to the thing depicted. You can’t create suffi-

of your choice that you can see within range regain hit

cient heat or cold to cause damage, a sound loud enough

points equal to 1d4 + your spellcasting ability modifier.

to deal thunder damage or deafen a creature, or a smell

This spell has no effect on undead or constructs.

that might sicken a creature (like a troglodyte’s stench).

As long as you are within range of the illusion, you can

use your action to cause the image to move to any other

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100

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At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

Components: V, S

spell slot of 4th level or higher, the healing increases by

Duration: Instantaneous

1d4 for each slot level above 3rd.

Blazing orbs of fire plummet to the ground at four differ-

ent points you can see within range. Each creature in a

Mass Suggestion

40-foot-radius sphere centered on each point you choose

6th-level enchantment

must make a Dexterity saving throw. The sphere spreads

Casting Time: 1 action

around corners. A creature takes 20d6 fire damage and

Range: 60 feet

20d6 bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as

Components: V, M (a snake’s tongue and either a bit of

much damage on a successful one. A creature in the area

honeycomb or a drop of sweet oil)

of more than one fiery burst is affected only once.

Duration: 24 hours

The spell damages objects in the area and ignites flam-

You suggest a course of activity (limited to a sentence

mable objects that aren’t being worn or carried.

or two) and magically influence up to twelve creatures

Minor Illusion

of your choice that you can see within range and that

Illusion cantrip

can hear and understand you. Creatures that can’t be

charmed are immune to this effect. The suggestion must

Casting Time: 1 action

be worded in such a manner as to make the course of

Range: 30 feet

action sound reasonable. Asking the creature to stab it-

Components: S, M (a bit of fleece)

self, throw itself onto a spear, immolate itself, or do some

Duration: 1 minute

other obviously harmful act automatically negates the

You create a sound or an image of an object within range

effect of the spell.

that lasts for the duration. The illusion also ends if you

Each target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a

dismiss it as an action or cast this spell again.

failed save, it pursues the course of action you described

If you create a sound, its volume can range from a

to the best of its ability. The suggested course of action

whisper to a scream. It can be your voice, someone else’s

can continue for the entire duration. If the suggested ac-

voice, a lion’s roar, a beating of drums, or any other sound

tivity can be completed in a shorter time, the spell ends

you choose. The sound continues unabated throughout

when the subject finishes what it was asked to do.

the duration, or you can make discrete sounds at different

You can also specify conditions that will trigger a spe-

times before the spell ends.

cial activity during the duration. For example, you might

If you create an image of an object—such as a chair,

suggest that a group of soldiers give all their money to the

muddy footprints, or a small chest—it must be no larger

first beggar they meet. If the condition isn’t met before

than a 5-foot cube. The image can’t create sound, light,

the spell ends, the activity isn’t performed.

smell, or any other sensory effect. Physical interaction

If you or any of your companions damage a creature

with the image reveals it to be an illusion, because things

affected by this spell, the spell ends for that creature.

can pass through it.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a 7th-

If a creature uses its action to examine the sound or im-

level spell slot, the duration is 10 days. When you use an

age, the creature can determine that it is an illusion with

8th-level spell slot, the duration is 30 days. When you use

a successful Intelligence (Investigation) check against

a 9th-level spell slot, the duration is a year and a day.

your spell save DC. If a creature discerns the illusion for

what it is, the illusion becomes faint to the creature.

Maze

8th-level conjuration

Misty Step

Casting Time: 1 action

2nd-level conjuration

Range: 60 feet

Casting Time: 1 bonus action

Components: V, S

Range: Self

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

Components: V

You banish a creature that you can see within range into

Duration: Instantaneous

a labyrinthine demiplane. The target remains there for

Briefly surrounded by silvery mist, you teleport up to 30

the duration or until it escapes the maze.

feet to an unoccupied space that you can see.

The target can use its action to attempt to escape.

When it does so, it makes a DC 20 Intelligence check. If

Mordenkainen’s Sword

it succeeds, it escapes, and the spell ends (a minotaur or

7th-level evocation

goristro demon automatically succeeds).

Casting Time: 1 action

When the spell ends, the target reappears in the space

Range: 60 feet

it left or, if that space is occupied, in the nearest unoccu-

Components: V, S, M (a miniature platinum sword with a

pied space.

grip and pommel of copper and zinc, worth 250 gp)

Meteor Swarm

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

9th-level evocation

You create a sword-shaped plane of force that hovers

Casting Time: 1 action

within range. It lasts for the duration.

Range: 1 mile

When the sword appears, you make a melee spell at-

tack against a target of your choice within 5 feet of the

sword. On a hit, the target takes 3d10 force damage.

Chapter 11: Spells

101

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Until the spell ends, you can use a bonus action on each

Components: V

of your turns to move the sword up to 20 feet to a spot

Duration: Instantaneous

you can see and repeat this attack against the same tar-

You utter a word of power that can compel one creature

get or a different one.

you can see within range to die instantly. If the creature

you choose has 100 hit points or fewer, it dies. Otherwise,

Otto’s Irresistible Dance

the spell has no effect.

6th-level enchantment

Casting Time: 1 action

Power Word Stun

Range: 30 feet

8th-level enchantment

Components: V

Casting Time: 1 action

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Range: 60 feet

Choose one creature that you can see within range. The

Components: V

target begins a comic dance in place: shuffling, tapping

Duration: Instantaneous

its feet, and capering for the duration. Creatures that

You speak a word of power that can overwhelm the mind

can’t be charmed are immune to this spell.

of one creature you can see within range, leaving it dumb-

A dancing creature must use all its movement to dance

founded. If the target has 150 hit points or fewer, it is

without leaving its space and has disadvantage on Dex-

stunned. Otherwise, the spell has no effect.

terity saving throws and attack rolls. While the target is

The stunned target must make a Constitution saving

affected by this spell, other creatures have advantage on

throw at the end of each of its turns. On a successful

attack rolls against it. As an action, a dancing creature

save, this stunning effect ends.

makes a Wisdom saving throw to regain control of itself.

On a successful save, the spell ends.

Prayer of Healing

2nd-level evocation

Passwall

Casting Time: 10 minutes

5th-level transmutation

Range: 30 feet

Casting Time: 1 action

Components: V

Range: 30 feet

Duration: Instantaneous

Components: V, S, M (a pinch of sesame seeds)

Duration: 1 hour

Up to six creatures of your choice that you can see within

range each regain hit points equal to 2d8 + your spellcast-

A passage appears at a point of your choice that you can

ing ability modifier. This spell has no effect on undead or

see on a wooden, plaster, or stone surface (such as a wall,

constructs.

a ceiling, or a floor) within range, and lasts for the dura-

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

tion. You choose the opening’s dimensions: up to 5 feet

spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the healing increases by

wide, 8 feet tall, and 20 feet deep. The passage creates no

1d8 for each slot level above 2nd.

instability in a structure surrounding it.

Prestidigitation

When the opening disappears, any creatures or objects

still in the passage created by the spell are safely ejected

Transmutation cantrip

to an unoccupied space nearest to the surface on which

Casting Time: 1 action

you cast the spell.

Range: 10 feet

Poison Spray

Components: V, S

Duration: Up to 1 hour

Conjuration cantrip

Casting Time: 1 action

This spell is a minor magical trick that novice

Range: 10 feet

spellcasters use for practice. You create one of the

Components: V, S

following magical effects within range:

Duration: Instantaneous

• You create an instantaneous, harmless sensory effect,

You extend your hand toward a creature you can see

such as a shower of sparks, a puff of wind, faint musical

within range and project a puff of noxious gas from your

notes, or an odd odor.

palm. The creature must succeed on a Constitution sav-

• You instantaneously light or snuff out a candle, a torch,

ing throw or take 1d12 poison damage.

or a small campfire.

This spell’s damage increases by 1d12 when you reach

• You instantaneously clean or soil an object no larger

5th level (2d12), 11th level (3d12), and 17th level (4d12).

than 1 cubic foot.

• You chill, warm, or flavor up to 1 cubic foot of nonliving

Power Word Kill

material for 1 hour.

9th-level enchantment

• You make a color, a small mark, or a symbol appear on

an object or a surface for 1 hour.

Casting Time: 1 action

• You create a nonmagical trinket or an illusory image

Range: 60 feet

that can fit in your hand and that lasts until the end of

your next turn.

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If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to

Components: V, S, M (a prayer wheel and holy water)

three of its non-instantaneous effects active at a time, and

Duration: 1 hour

you can dismiss such an effect as an action.

You touch a creature and stimulate its natural healing

ability. The target regains 4d8 + 15 hit points. For the

Protection from Energy

duration of the spell, the target regains 1 hit point at the

3rd-level abjuration

start of each of its turns (10 hit points each minute).

Casting Time: 1 action

The target’s severed body members (fingers, legs, tails,

Range: Touch

and so on), if any, are restored after 2 minutes. If you

Components: V, S

have the severed part and hold it to the stump, the spell

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

instantaneously causes the limb to knit to the stump.

For the duration, the willing creature you touch has resis-

Remove Curse

tance to one damage type of your choice: acid, cold, fire,

3rd-level abjuration

lightning, or thunder.

Casting Time: 1 action

Raise Dead

Range: Touch

5th-level necromancy

Components: V, S

Casting Time: 1 hour

Duration: Instantaneous

Range: Touch

At your touch, all curses affecting one creature or object

Components: V, S, M (a diamond worth at least 500 gp,

end. If the object is a cursed magic item, its curse re-

which the spell consumes)

mains, but the spell breaks its owner’s attunement to the

Duration: Instantaneous

object so it can be removed or discarded.

You return a dead creature you touch to life, provided that

Resistance

it has been dead no longer than 10 days. If the creature’s

Abjuration cantrip

soul is both willing and at liberty to rejoin the body, the

creature returns to life with 1 hit point.

Casting Time: 1 action

This spell also neutralizes any poisons and cures

Range: Touch

nonmagical diseases that affected the creature at the

Components: V, S, M (a miniature cloak)

time it died. This spell doesn’t, however, remove magical

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

diseases, curses, or similar effects; if these aren’t first re-

You touch one willing creature. Once before the spell

moved prior to casting the spell, they take effect when the

ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled

creature returns to life. The spell can’t return an undead

to one saving throw of its choice. It can roll the die before

creature to life.

or after making the saving throw. The spell then ends.

This spell closes all mortal wounds, but it doesn’t re-

store missing body parts. If the creature is lacking body

Resurrection

parts or organs integral for its survival—its head, for in-

7th-level necromancy

stance—the spell automatically fails.

Casting Time: 1 hour

Coming back from the dead is an ordeal. The target

Range: Touch

takes a −4 penalty to all attack rolls, saving throws, and

Components: V, S, M (a diamond worth at least 1,000 gp,

ability checks. Every time the target finishes a long rest,

which the spell consumes)

the penalty is reduced by 1 until it disappears.

Duration: Instantaneous

Ray of Frost

You touch a dead creature that has been dead for no more

Evocation cantrip

than a century, that didn’t die of old age, and that isn’t

Casting Time: 1 action

undead. If its soul is free and willing, the target returns to

Range: 60 feet

life with all its hit points.

Components: V, S

This spell neutralizes any poisons and cures normal

Duration: Instantaneous

diseases afflicting the creature when it died. It doesn’t,

however, remove magical diseases, curses, and the like; if

A frigid beam of blue-white light streaks toward a crea-

such effects aren’t removed prior to casting the spell, they

ture within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the

afflict the target on its return to life.

target. On a hit, it takes 1d8 cold damage, and its speed is

This spell closes all mortal wounds and restores any

reduced by 10 feet until the start of your next turn.

missing body parts.

The spell’s damage increases by 1d8 when you reach

Coming back from the dead is an ordeal. The target

5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).

takes a −4 penalty to all attack rolls, saving throws, and

ability checks. Every time the target finishes a long rest,

Regenerate

the penalty is reduced by 1 until it disappears.

7th-level transmutation

Casting this spell to restore life to a creature that has

Casting Time: 1 minute

been dead for one year or longer taxes you greatly. Until

Range: Touch

you finish a long rest, you can’t cast spells again, and you

have disadvantage on all attack rolls, ability checks, and

saving throws.

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Revivify

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

3rd-level necromancy

spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage increases by

1d8 for each slot level above 2nd.

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: Touch

Shield

Components: V, S, M (diamonds worth 300 gp, which the

1st-level abjuration

spell consumes)

Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you are

Duration: Instantaneous

hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell

You touch a creature that has died within the last minute.

Range: Self

That creature returns to life with 1 hit point. This spell

Components: V, S

can’t return to life a creature that has died of old age, nor

Duration: 1 round

can it restore any missing body parts.

An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects

Sacred Flame

you. Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus

Evocation cantrip

to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you

take no damage from magic missile.

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 60 feet

Shield of Faith

Components: V, S

1st-level abjuration

Duration: Instantaneous

Casting Time: 1 bonus action

Flame-like radiance descends on a creature that you can

Range: 60 feet

see within range. The target must succeed on a Dexterity

Components: V, S, M (a small parchment with a bit of

saving throw or take 1d8 radiant damage. The target

holy text written on it)

gains no benefit from cover for this saving throw.

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

The spell’s damage increases by 1d8 when you reach

A shimmering field appears and surrounds a creature of

5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).

your choice within range, granting it a +2 bonus to AC for

Sanctuary

the duration.

1st-level abjuration

Shocking Grasp

Casting Time: 1 bonus action

Evocation cantrip

Range: 30 feet

Casting Time: 1 action

Components: V, S, M (a small silver mirror)

Range: Touch

Duration: 1 minute

Components: V, S

You ward a creature within range against attack. Until

Duration: Instantaneous

the spell ends, any creature who targets the warded crea-

ture with an attack or a harmful spell must first make a

Lightning springs from your hand to deliver a shock to

Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature must

a creature you try to touch. Make a melee spell attack

choose a new target or lose the attack or spell. This spell

against the target. You have advantage on the attack roll

doesn’t protect the warded creature from area effects,

if the target is wearing armor made of metal. On a hit, the

such as the explosion of a fireball.

target takes 1d8 lightning damage, and it can’t take reac-

If the warded creature makes an attack, casts a spell

tions until the start of its next turn.

that affects an enemy, or deals damage to another crea-

The spell’s damage increases by 1d8 when you reach

ture, this spell ends.

5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).

Silence

Shatter

2nd-level illusion (ritual)

2nd-level evocation

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 60 feet

Range: 120 feet

Components: V, S, M (a chip of mica)

Components: V, S

Duration: Instantaneous

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

For the duration, no sound can be created within or pass

A sudden loud ringing noise, painfully intense, erupts

through a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on a point you

from a point of your choice within range. Each creature

choose within range. Any creature or object entirely

in a 10-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must

inside the sphere is immune to thunder damage, and

make a Constitution saving throw. A creature takes 3d8

creatures are deafened while entirely inside it. Casting

thunder damage on a failed save, or half as much damage

a spell that includes a verbal component is impos-

on a successful one. A creature made of inorganic mate-

sible there.

rial such as stone, crystal, or metal has disadvantage on

this saving throw.

Silent Image

A nonmagical object that isn’t being worn or carried

1st-level illusion

also takes the damage if it’s in the spell’s area.

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 60 feet

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Components: V, S, M (a bit of fleece)

Components: V, S, M (burning incense)

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

Duration: 10 minutes

You create the image of an object, a creature, or some

You grant the semblance of life and intelligence to a

other visible phenomenon that is no larger than a 15-foot

corpse of your choice within range, allowing it to answer

cube. The image appears at a spot within range and lasts

the questions you pose. The corpse must still have a

for the duration. The image is purely visual; it isn’t accom-

mouth and can’t be undead. The spell fails if the corpse

panied by sound, smell, or other sensory effects.

was the target of this spell within the last 10 days.

You can use your action to cause the image to move to

Until the spell ends, you can ask the corpse up to five

any spot within range. As the image changes location,

questions. The corpse knows only what it knew in life, in-

you can alter its appearance so that its movements ap-

cluding the languages it knew. Answers are usually brief,

pear natural for the image. For example, if you create an

cryptic, or repetitive, and the corpse is under no compul-

image of a creature and move it, you can alter the image

sion to offer a truthful answer if you are hostile to it or it

so that it appears to be walking.

recognizes you as an enemy. This spell doesn’t return the

Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be an

creature’s soul to its body, only its animating spirit. Thus,

illusion, because things can pass through it. A creature

the corpse can’t learn new information, doesn’t compre-

that uses its action to examine the image can determine

hend anything that has happened since it died, and can’t

that it is an illusion with a successful Intelligence (Inves-

speculate about future events.

tigation) check against your spell save DC. If a creature

discerns the illusion for what it is, the creature can see

Spider Climb

through the image.

2nd-level transmutation

Casting Time: 1 action

Sleep

Range: Touch

1st-level enchantment

Components: V, S, M (a drop of bitumen and a spider)

Casting Time: 1 action

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

Range: 90 feet

Until the spell ends, one willing creature you touch gains

Components: V, S, M (a pinch of fine sand, rose petals,

the ability to move up, down, and across vertical surfaces

or a cricket)

and upside down along ceilings, while leaving its hands

Duration: 1 minute

free. The target also gains a climbing speed equal to its

This spell sends creatures into a magical slumber. Roll

walking speed.

5d8; the total is how many hit points of creatures this

Spirit Guardians

spell can affect. Creatures within 20 feet of a point you

choose within range are affected in ascending order of

3rd-level conjuration

their current hit points (ignoring unconscious creatures).

Casting Time: 1 action

Starting with the creature that has the lowest current

Range: Self (15-foot radius)

hit points, each creature affected by this spell falls un-

Components: V, S, M (a holy symbol)

conscious until the spell ends, the sleeper takes damage,

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

or someone uses an action to shake or slap the sleeper

You call forth spirits to protect you. They flit around you

awake. Subtract each creature’s hit points from the total

to a distance of 15 feet for the duration. If you are good or

before moving on to the creature with the next lowest hit

neutral, their spectral form appears angelic or fey (your

points. A creature’s hit points must be equal to or less

choice). If you are evil, they appear fiendish.

than the remaining total for that creature to be affected.

When you cast this spell, you can designate any num-

Undead and creatures immune to being charmed aren’t

ber of creatures you can see to be unaffected by it. An

affected by this spell.

affected creature’s speed is halved in the area, and when

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

the creature enters the area for the first time on a turn

spell slot of 2nd level or higher, roll an additional 2d8 for

or starts its turn there, it must make a Wisdom saving

each slot level above 1st.

throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 3d8 radiant

Spare the Dying

damage (if you are good or neutral) or 3d8 necrotic dam-

age (if you are evil). On a successful save, the creature

Necromancy cantrip

takes half as much damage.

Casting Time: 1 action

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

Range: Touch

spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by

Components: V, S

1d8 for each slot level above 3rd.

Duration: Instantaneous

Spiritual Weapon

You touch a living creature that has 0 hit points. The

creature becomes stable. This spell has no effect on un-

2nd-level evocation

dead or constructs.

Casting Time: 1 bonus action

Range: 60 feet

Speak with Dead

3rd-level necromancy

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 10 feet

Chapter 11: Spells

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Components: V, S

Sunburst

Duration: 1 minute

8th-level evocation

You create a floating, spectral weapon within range that

Casting Time: 1 action

lasts for the duration or until you cast this spell again.

Range: 150 feet

When you cast the spell, you can make a melee spell

Components: V, S, M (fire and a piece of sunstone)

attack against a creature within 5 feet of the weapon. On

Duration: Instantaneous

a hit, the target takes force damage equal to 1d8 + your

Brilliant sunlight flashes in a 60-foot radius centered on a

spellcasting ability modifier.

point you choose within range. Each creature in that light

As a bonus action on your turn, you can move the

must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save,

weapon up to 20 feet and repeat the attack against a crea-

a creature takes 12d6 radiant damage and is blinded

ture within 5 feet of it.

for 1 minute. On a successful save, it takes half as much

The weapon can take whatever form you choose.

damage and isn’t blinded by this spell. Undead and oozes

Clerics of deities who are associated with a particular

have disadvantage on this saving throw.

weapon (as St. Cuthbert is known for his mace and

A creature blinded by this spell makes another Consti-

Thor for his hammer) make this spell’s effect resemble

tution saving throw at the end of each of its turns. On a

that weapon.

successful save, it is no longer blinded.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

This spell dispels any darkness in its area that was cre-

spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage increases by

ated by a spell.

1d8 for every two slot levels above the 2nd.

Teleport

Stoneskin

7th-level conjuration

4th-level abjuration

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 10 feet

Range: Touch

Components: V

Components: V, S, M (diamond dust worth 100 gp, which

Duration: Instantaneous

the spell consumes)

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

This spell instantly transports you and up to eight willing

creatures of your choice that you can see within range,

This spell turns the flesh of a willing creature you touch

or a single object that you can see within range, to a des-

as hard as stone. Until the spell ends, the target has

tination you select. If you target an object, it must be able

resistance to nonmagical bludgeoning, piercing, and

to fit entirely inside a 10-foot cube, and it can’t be held or

slashing damage.

carried by an unwilling creature.

The destination you choose must be known to you, and

Suggestion

it must be on the same plane of existence as you. Your

2nd-level enchantment

familiarity with the destination determines whether you

Casting Time: 1 action

arrive there successfully. The DM rolls d100 and consults

Range: 30 feet

the table.

Components: V, M (a snake’s tongue and either a bit of

Familiarity. “Permanent circle” means a permanent

honeycomb or a drop of sweet oil)

teleportation circle whose sigil sequence you know. “As-

Duration: Concentration, up to 8 hours

sociated object” means that you possess an object taken

You suggest a course of activity (limited to a sentence

from the desired destination within the last six months,

or two) and magically influence a creature you can see

such as a book from a wizard’s library, bed linen from a

within range that can hear and understand you. Crea-

royal suite, or a chunk of marble from a lich’s secret tomb.

tures that can’t be charmed are immune to this effect.

“Very familiar” is a place you have been very often, a

The suggestion must be worded in such a manner as to

place you have carefully studied, or a place you can see

make the course of action sound reasonable. Asking the

when you cast the spell. “Seen casually” is someplace

creature to stab itself, throw itself onto a spear, immo-

you have seen more than once but with which you aren’t

late itself, or do some other obviously harmful act ends

very familiar. “Viewed once” is a place you have seen

the spell.

once, possibly using magic. “Description” is a place

The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a

whose location and appearance you know through some-

failed save, it pursues the course of action you described

one else’s description, perhaps from a map.

to the best of its ability. The suggested course of action

“False destination” is a place that doesn’t exist. Per-

can continue for the entire duration. If the suggested ac-

haps you tried to scry an enemy’s sanctum but instead

tivity can be completed in a shorter time, the spell ends

viewed an illusion, or you are attempting to teleport to a

when the subject finishes what it was asked to do.

familiar location that no longer exists.

You can also specify conditions that will trigger a spe-

On Target. You and your group (or the target object)

cial activity during the duration. For example, you might

appear where you want to.

suggest that a knight give her warhorse to the first beggar

Off Target. You and your group (or the target object)

she meets. If the condition isn’t met before the spell ex-

appear a random distance away from the destination in

pires, the activity isn’t performed.

a random direction. Distance off target is 1d10 × 1d10

If you or any of your companions damage the target, the

percent of the distance that was to be traveled. For ex-

spell ends.

ample, if you tried to travel 120 miles, landed off target,

and rolled a 5 and 3 on the two d10s, then you would be

Chapter 11: Spells

106

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off target by 15 percent, or 18 miles. The DM determines

Thunderwave

the direction off target randomly by rolling a d8 and des-

1st-level evocation

ignating 1 as north, 2 as northeast, 3 as east, and so on

Casting Time: 1 action

around the points of the compass. If you were teleporting

Range: Self (15-foot cube)

to a coastal city and wound up 18 miles out at sea, you

Components: V, S

could be in trouble.

Duration: Instantaneous

Similar Area. You and your group (or the target object)

wind up in a different area that’s visually or thematically

A wave of thunderous force sweeps out from you. Each

similar to the target area. If you are heading for your

creature in a 15-foot cube originating from you must

home laboratory, for example, you might wind up in an-

make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a

other wizard’s laboratory or in an alchemical supply shop

creature takes 2d8 thunder damage and is pushed 10 feet

that has many of the same tools and implements as your

away from you. On a successful save, the creature takes

laboratory. Generally, you appear in the closest similar

half as much damage and isn’t pushed.

place, but since the spell has no range limit, you could

In addition, unsecured objects that are completely

conceivably wind up anywhere on the plane.

within the area of effect are automatically pushed 10 feet

Mishap. The spell’s unpredictable magic results in a

away from you by the spell’s effect, and the spell emits a

difficult journey. Each teleporting creature (or the target

thunderous boom audible out to 300 feet.

object) takes 3d10 force damage, and the DM rerolls on

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

the table to see where you wind up (multiple mishaps can

spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by

occur, dealing damage each time).

1d8 for each slot level above 1st.

Time Stop

Similar

Off

Familiarity

Mishap

Area

Target

9th-level transmutation

Permanent circle

—

01-100

Casting Time: 1 action

Associated object

—

01-100

Range: Self

Very familiar

01-05

06-13

14-24

25-100

Components: V

Seen casually

01-33

34-43

44-53

54-100

Duration: Instantaneous

Viewed once

01-43

44-53

54-73

74-100

You briefly stop the flow of time for everyone but yourself.

Description

01-43

44-53

54-73

74-100

No time passes for other creatures, while you take 1d4 +

False destination

01-50

51-100

—

1 turns in a row, during which you can use actions and

move as normal.

This spell ends if one of the actions you use during this

Thaumaturgy

period, or any effects that you create during this period,

Transmutation cantrip

affects a creature other than you or an object being worn

Casting Time: 1 action

or carried by someone other than you. In addition, the

Range: 30 feet

spell ends if you move to a place more than 1,000 feet

Components: V

from the location where you cast it.

Duration: Up to 1 minute

True Resurrection

You manifest a minor wonder, a sign of supernatural

9th-level necromancy

power, within range. You create one of the following

magical effects within range:

Casting Time: 1 hour

Range: Touch

• Your voice booms up to three times as loud as normal

Components: V, S, M (a sprinkle of holy water and

for 1 minute.

diamonds worth at least 25,000 gp, which the

• You cause flames to flicker, brighten, dim, or change

spell consumes)

color for 1 minute.

Duration: Instantaneous

• You cause harmless tremors in the ground

for 1 minute.

You touch a creature that has been dead for no longer

• You create an instantaneous sound that originates from

than 200 years and that died for any reason except old

a point of your choice within range, such as a rumble of

age. If the creature’s soul is free and willing, the creature

thunder, the cry of a raven, or ominous whispers.

is restored to life with all its hit points.

• You instantaneously cause an unlocked door or window

This spell closes all wounds, neutralizes any poison,

to fly open or slam shut.

cures all diseases, and lifts any curses affecting the crea-

• You alter the appearance of your eyes for 1 minute.

ture when it died. The spell replaces damaged or missing

organs and limbs. If the creature was undead, it is re-

If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to

stored to its non-undead form.

three of its 1-minute effects active at a time, and you can

The spell can even provide a new body if the original

dismiss such an effect as an action.

no longer exists, in which case you must speak the crea-

ture’s name. The creature then appears in an unoccupied

space you choose within 10 feet of you.

Chapter 11: Spells

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True Seeing

It must, however, merge with and be solidly supported

6th-level divination

by existing stone. Thus, you can use this spell to bridge a

chasm or create a ramp.

Casting Time: 1 action

If you create a span greater than 20 feet in length, you

Range: Touch

must halve the size of each panel to create supports. You

Components: V, S, M (an ointment for the eyes that costs

can crudely shape the wall to create crenellations, battle-

25 gp; is made from mushroom powder, saffron, and

ments, and so on.

fat; and is consumed by the spell)

The wall is an object made of stone that can be dam-

Duration: 1 hour

aged and thus breached. Each panel has AC 15 and 30

This spell gives the willing creature you touch the ability

hit points per inch of thickness. Reducing a panel to 0 hit

to see things as they actually are. For the duration, the

points destroys it and might cause connected panels to

creature has truesight, notices secret doors hidden by

collapse at the DM’s discretion.

magic, and can see into the Ethereal Plane, all out to a

If you maintain your concentration on this spell for its

range of 120 feet.

whole duration, the wall becomes permanent and can’t

be dispelled. Otherwise, the wall disappears when the

Wall of Fire

spell ends.

4th-level evocation

Warding Bond

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 120 feet

2nd-level abjuration

Components: V, S, M (a small piece of phosphorus)

Casting Time: 1 action

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Range: Touch

Components: V, S, M (a pair of platinum rings worth at

You create a wall of fire on a solid surface within range.

least 50 gp each, which you and the target must wear

You can make the wall up to 60 feet long, 20 feet high,

for the duration)

and 1 foot thick, or a ringed wall up to 20 feet in diame-

Duration: 1 hour

ter, 20 feet high, and 1 foot thick. The wall is opaque and

lasts for the duration.

This spell wards a willing creature you touch and creates

When the wall appears, each creature within its area

a mystic connection between you and the target until the

must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a

spell ends. While the target is within 60 feet of you, it

creature takes 5d8 fire damage, or half as much damage

gains a +1 bonus to AC and saving throws, and it has re-

on a successful save.

sistance to all damage. Also, each time it takes damage,

One side of the wall, selected by you when you cast this

you take the same amount of damage.

spell, deals 5d8 fire damage to each creature that ends its

The spell ends if you drop to 0 hit points or if you and

turn within 10 feet of that side or inside the wall. A crea-

the target become separated by more than 60 feet. It also

ture takes the same damage when it enters the wall for

ends if the spell is cast again on either of the connected

the first time on a turn or ends its turn there. The other

creatures. You can also dismiss the spell as an action.

side of the wall deals no damage.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a

Web

spell slot of 5th level or higher, the damage increases by

2nd-level conjuration

1d8 for each slot level above 4th.

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 60 feet

Wall of Stone

Components: V, S, M (a bit of spiderweb)

5th-level evocation

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

Casting Time: 1 action

You conjure a mass of thick, sticky webbing at a point of

Range: 120 feet

your choice within range. The webs fill a 20-foot cube

Components: V, S, M (a small block of granite)

from that point for the duration. The webs are difficult

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

terrain and lightly obscure their area.

A nonmagical wall of solid stone springs into existence

If the webs aren’t anchored between two solid masses

at a point you choose within range. The wall is 6 inches

(such as walls or trees) or layered across a floor, wall, or

thick and is composed of ten 10-foot-by-10-foot panels.

ceiling, the conjured web collapses on itself, and the spell

Each panel must be contiguous with at least one other

ends at the start of your next turn. Webs layered over a

panel. Alternatively, you can create 10-foot-by-20-foot pan-

flat surface have a depth of 5 feet.

els that are only 3 inches thick.

Each creature that starts its turn in the webs or that

If the wall cuts through a creature’s space when it ap-

enters them during its turn must make a Dexterity saving

pears, the creature is pushed to one side of the wall (your

throw. On a failed save, the creature is restrained as long

choice). If a creature would be surrounded on all sides by

as it remains in the webs or until it breaks free.

the wall (or the wall and another solid surface), that crea-

A creature restrained by the webs can use its action to

ture can make a Dexterity saving throw. On a success, it

make a Strength check against your spell save DC. If it

can use its reaction to move up to its speed so that it is no

succeeds, it is no longer restrained.

longer enclosed by the wall.

The webs are flammable. Any 5-foot cube of webs

The wall can have any shape you desire, though it can’t

exposed to fire burns away in 1 round, dealing 2d4 fire

occupy the same space as a creature or object. The wall

damage to any creature that starts its turn in the fire.

doesn’t need to be vertical or rest on any firm foundation.

Chapter 11: Spells

108

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Chapter 12: Monsters

As the Dungeon Master, you have a vast array of

such as modrons, are constructs shaped from the

resources available to you to make the game exciting

raw material of the plane by the will of more powerful

and fun for the players—and monsters are at the top of

creatures.

the list. A monster is defined as any creature that can be

Dragons are large reptilian creatures of ancient origin

interacted with and potentially fought and killed. Even

and tremendous power. True dragons, including the good

something as harmless as a frog or as benevolent as a

metallic dragons and the evil chromatic dragons, are

unicorn is a monster by this definition. The term also

highly intelligent and have innate magic. Also in this cat-

applies to humans, elves, dwarves, and other folk who

egory are creatures distantly related to true dragons, but

might be friends or rivals to the player characters.

less powerful, less intelligent, and less magical, such as

This chapter presents a wide selection of ready-to-

wyverns and pseudodragons.

play monsters—a sample of what can be found in the

Elementals are creatures native to the elemental

Monster Manual. Each description uses a standardized

planes. Some creatures of this type are little more than

format that clearly explains the monster’s capabilities.

animate masses of their respective elements, including

Guidelines for understanding the information found in a

the creatures simply called elementals. Others have

monster’s statistics are given below.

biological forms infused with elemental energy. The

races of genies, including djinn and efreet, form the most

important civilizations on the elemental planes. Other

Statistics

elemental creatures include azers, invisible stalkers, and

A monster’s statistics, sometimes referred to as its stat

water weirds.

block, provide the essential information that you need to

Fey are magical creatures closely tied to the forces of

run the monster.

nature. They dwell in twilight groves and misty forests.

In some worlds, they are closely tied to the Feywild, also

Size

called the Plane of Faerie. Some are also found in the

A monster can be Tiny, Small, Medium, Large, Huge, or

Outer Planes, particularly the planes of Arborea and the

Gargantuan. See chapter 9 of this document for more in-

Beastlands. Fey include dryads, pixies, and satyrs.

formation on creature size and space.

Fiends are creatures of wickedness that are native

to the Lower Planes. A few are the servants of deities,

Type

but many more labor under the leadership of archdevils

A monster’s type speaks to its fundamental nature. Cer-

and demon princes. Evil priests and mages sometimes

tain spells, magic items, class features, and other effects

summon fiends to the material world to do their bidding.

in the game interact in special ways with creatures of a

If an evil celestial is a rarity, a good fiend is almost in-

particular type. For example, an arrow of dragon slaying

conceivable. Fiends include demons, devils, hell hounds,

deals extra damage not only to dragons but also other

rakshasas, and yugoloths.

creatures of the dragon type, such as dragon turtles

Giants tower over humans and their kind. They are

and wyverns.

humanlike in shape, though some have multiple heads

The game includes the following monster types, which

(ettins) or deformities (fomorians). The six varieties of

have no rules of their own.

true giant are hill giants, stone giants, frost giants, fire

Aberrations are utterly alien beings. Many of them

giants, cloud giants, and storm giants. Besides these,

have innate magical abilities drawn from the creature’s

creatures such as ogres and trolls are giants.

alien mind rather than the mystical forces of the world.

Humanoids are the main peoples of the D&D world,

The quintessential aberrations are aboleths, beholders,

both civilized and savage, including humans and a tre-

mind flayers, and slaadi.

mendous variety of other species. They have language

Beasts are nonhumanoid creatures that are a natural

and culture, few if any innate magical abilities (though

part of the fantasy ecology. Some of them have magical

most humanoids can learn spellcasting), and a bipedal

powers, but most are unintelligent and lack any society

form. The most common humanoid races are the ones

or language. Beasts include all varieties of ordinary ani-

most suitable as player characters: humans, dwarves,

mals, dinosaurs, and giant versions of animals.

elves, and halflings. Almost as numerous but far more

Celestials are creatures native to the Upper Planes.

savage and brutal, and almost uniformly evil, are the

Many of them are the servants of deities, employed as

races of goblinoids (goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears),

messengers or agents in the mortal realm and through-

orcs, gnolls, lizardfolk, and kobolds.

out the planes. Celestials are good by nature, so the

Monstrosities are monsters in the strictest sense—

exceptional celestial who strays from a good alignment

frightening creatures that are not ordinary, not truly

is a horrifying rarity. Celestials include angels, couatls,

natural, and almost never benign. Some are the results of

and pegasi.

magical experimentation gone awry (such as owlbears),

Constructs are made, not born. Some are programmed

and others are the product of terrible curses (including

by their creators to follow a simple set of instructions,

minotaurs and yuan-ti). They defy categorization, and in

while others are imbued with sentience and capable of

some sense serve as a catch-all category for creatures

independent thought. Golems are the iconic constructs.

that don’t fit into any other type.

Many creatures native to the outer plane of Mechanus,

Chapter 12: Monsters

110

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Oozes are gelatinous creatures that rarely have a fixed

Hit Points

shape. They are mostly subterranean, dwelling in caves

A monster usually dies or is destroyed when it drops

and dungeons and feeding on refuse, carrion, or crea-

to 0 hit points. For more on hit points, see chapter 1 of

tures unlucky enough to get in their way. Black puddings

this document.

and gelatinous cubes are among the most recogniz-

A monster’s hit points are presented both as a die

able oozes.

expression and as an average number. For example, a

Plants in this context are vegetable creatures, not or-

monster with 2d8 hit points has 9 hit points on aver-

dinary flora. Most of them are ambulatory, and some are

age (2 × 4½).

carnivorous. The quintessential plants are the shambling

A monster’s size determines the die used to calculate

mound and the treant. Fungal creatures such as the gas

its hit points, as shown in the Hit Dice by Size table.

spore and the myconid also fall into this category.

Undead are once-living creatures brought to a horrify-

Hit Dice by Size

ing state of undeath through the practice of necromantic

magic or some unholy curse. Undead include walking

Monster Size

Hit Die

Average HP per Die

corpses, such as vampires and zombies, as well as bodi-

Tiny

2½

less spirits, such as ghosts and specters.

Small

3½

Medium

4½

D&D Basic Rules, Version 1.0, Released November 2018 - page 2