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Frightened 5e condition

How the frightened condition works in the 2014 rules (SRD 5.1) and the 2024 rules (SRD 5.2), what changed, and which spells and monsters cause it.

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Frightened in the 2014 rules (SRD 5.1)

Frightened in the 2024 rules (SRD 5.2)

While you have the Frightened condition, you experience the following effects.

Ability Checks and Attacks Affected. You have Disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls while the source of fear is within line of sight.

Can't Approach. You can't willingly move closer to the source of your fear.

What changed in 2024

How Frightened works

A frightened creature has disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls while the source of its fear is within line of sight, and it can’t willingly move closer to that source. That’s the whole condition. It doesn’t stop you acting, and it doesn’t make you run away.

The effect that frightens you often adds more. Fear makes its victims drop what they’re holding and Dash away every turn, and a Wand of Fear or Mace of Terror makes a frightened creature spend its turns fleeing. The condition is the floor; the spell or stat block tells you the rest, including when you get to save again.

Dealing with fear

What changed in 2024

Nothing that changes play. The 2024 condition has the same two effects in new words: disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls while the source of fear is within line of sight, and you can’t willingly move closer to it.

Common questions

Can a frightened creature attack the source of its fear?

Yes, with disadvantage while it can see the source. It just can’t move closer, so a creature already in reach can keep attacking, and one that isn’t can use ranged attacks or spells.

Does being frightened make you run away?

Not by itself. Only effects that say so force you to flee, like Fear, which makes you Dash away each turn, or the Mace of Terror.

Does frightened affect saving throws or spells?

It doesn’t affect saving throws at all. Spell attack rolls have disadvantage like other attacks, but spells that call for a saving throw work normally.

Can a frightened creature be moved closer to the source?

Yes. The condition only stops you from willingly moving closer, so an ally can drag you or a monster can pull you in. Whether you can teleport closer isn’t spelled out, so that’s the DM’s call.

How do you end the frightened condition?

Most fear effects let you repeat the saving throw, often at the end of each of your turns and sometimes only when the source is out of sight. Calm Emotions suppresses it on humanoids, and a paladin’s Aura of Courage from 10th level keeps nearby allies from being frightened.

What’s immune to being frightened?

Many undead and constructs list it among their condition immunities. A creature under Heroism, or one that has eaten a Heroes’ Feast, is immune.

Frightened compared with similar conditions

ConditionHow it compares
CharmedThe other mind-affecting condition: you can’t attack the charmer at all, rather than attacking it with disadvantage.
PoisonedThe same disadvantage on attacks and ability checks, all the time, with no line-of-sight condition and no limit on movement.
ExhaustionAlso penalizes checks and attacks, but it lasts until long rests or magic remove it.
Fear3rd level: a 30-foot cone that frightens, disarms and sends its victims running. The classic source.

Spells and the frightened condition

From the SRD 5.1 spells: 7 spells can leave a creature frightened, and 6 spells can end or prevent it.

Spells that cause it

Spells that end or prevent it

Monsters and the frightened condition

Monsters whose attacks or traits cause it (31)

Monsters immune to it (37)

Rules that mention frightened

Other conditions