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Poisoned 5e condition

How the poisoned 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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Poisoned in the 2014 rules (SRD 5.1)

Poisoned in the 2024 rules (SRD 5.2)

While you have the Poisoned condition, you experience the following effect.

Ability Checks and Attacks Affected. You have Disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.

What changed in 2024

How Poisoned works

A poisoned creature has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks. Its saving throws, speed and actions are unaffected, and attacks against it get no bonus.

Poison damage and the poisoned condition are separate things. A giant poisonous snake’s bite deals poison damage and no condition at all, while an ettercap’s bite does both: 1d8 poison damage, and poisoned for up to a minute on a failed DC 11 Constitution save. Resistance to poison damage doesn’t stop the condition.

Sources, cures and immunity

What changed in 2024

Nothing in the condition: the 2024 version has the same single effect, disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks. The 2024 Protection from Poison now simply ends the Poisoned condition and gives advantage on saves to avoid or end it, along with resistance to poison damage.

Common questions

Does poisoned give disadvantage on saving throws?

No. Only attack rolls and ability checks. A poisoned creature makes Constitution saves, and every other save, normally.

Does resistance to poison damage protect against the poisoned condition?

No. They’re separate. A creature can resist poison damage and still be poisoned unless it’s also immune to the condition, as many undead and constructs are.

How do you cure the poisoned condition?

Lesser Restoration or Protection from Poison end it, and a paladin can neutralize a poison with 5 points of Lay on Hands. Otherwise, wait it out or pass the repeated saves its source allows.

Does being poisoned affect initiative?

Yes. Initiative is a Dexterity check, so a poisoned creature rolls it with disadvantage.

Does poisoned affect spellcasting?

Only spell attacks. A poisoned caster has disadvantage on Fire Bolt or Guiding Bolt, but spells that call for a saving throw work normally, and so do concentration saves.

Which races resist poison?

Dwarves have Dwarven Resilience: advantage on saving throws against poison and resistance to poison damage.

Poisoned compared with similar conditions

ConditionHow it compares
FrightenedThe same disadvantage on attacks and checks, but only while the source is in sight, and you can’t move toward it.
ExhaustionIn the 2014 rules, level 1 gives disadvantage on checks and level 3 adds attacks and saves. Much slower to remove.
BlindedDisadvantage on your attacks and advantage for attackers: worse in a fight, but no penalty on checks that don’t need sight.
Protection from Poison2nd level: ends a poison, then an hour of advantage on saves against being poisoned and resistance to poison damage.
Periapt of Proof against PoisonRare: permanent immunity to the poisoned condition and to poison damage, no attunement needed.

Spells and the poisoned condition

From the SRD 5.1 spells: no spell causes it directly, and 2 spells can end or prevent it.

Spells that end or prevent it

Monsters and the poisoned condition

Monsters whose attacks or traits cause it (19)

Monsters immune to it (64)

Rules that mention poisoned

Other conditions