Restrained 5e condition
How the restrained 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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Restrained in the 2014 rules (SRD 5.1)
- A restrained creature's speed becomes 0, and it can't benefit from any bonus to its speed.
- Attack rolls against the creature have advantage, and the creature's attack rolls have disadvantage.
- The creature has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.
Restrained in the 2024 rules (SRD 5.2)
While you have the Restrained condition, you experience the following effects.
Speed 0. Your Speed is 0 and can't increase.
Attacks Affected. Attack rolls against you have Advantage, and your attack rolls have Disadvantage.
Saving Throws Affected. You have Disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.
What changed in 2024
- No change beyond the wording.
How Restrained works
A restrained creature’s speed becomes 0 and can’t be raised. Attack rolls against it have advantage, its own attack rolls have disadvantage, and it has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws. It can still take actions, cast spells and use reactions.
How you get free depends on what’s holding you, and the effect tells you. Webs and vines usually take an action and a Strength check against the caster’s spell save DC; a monster’s grip is normally a grapple with an escape DC, and the restraint ends when the grapple does.
Common sources, and protection
- Spells: Entangle (Strength save, 20-foot square), Web (Dexterity save, 20-foot cube) and Black Tentacles (Dexterity save, and 3d6 bludgeoning each turn you stay caught).
- Monsters: a giant spider’s web (DC 12 Strength check to burst it), and grapplers like the giant constrictor snake and giant octopus, which restrain whoever they grab until the grapple ends.
- Items: a Rope of Entanglement (DC 15 Dexterity save) and Iron Bands of Binding.
- Protection: Freedom of Movement and the Ring of Free Action stop magic from restraining or paralyzing you.
- Pile on. Everyone attacks a restrained creature with advantage, and a Dexterity-save spell like Fireball is more likely to land in full.
What changed in 2024
Nothing. The 2024 condition has the same three effects in new words: Speed 0 that can’t increase, advantage on attacks against you and disadvantage on yours, and disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.
Common questions
What’s the difference between grappled and restrained?
Grappled only sets your speed to 0 (and, in 2024, gives disadvantage on attacks against anyone but the grappler). Restrained adds advantage for everyone attacking you and disadvantage on your attacks and Dexterity saves. Constrictors and tentacled monsters often inflict both.
Can a restrained creature cast spells?
Yes. Restrained doesn’t stop actions or spellcasting, though spell attack rolls have disadvantage. Teleporting out with Misty Step gets you out of a web or a monster’s grip.
How do you escape being restrained?
Use whatever the source allows: usually your action for a Strength check against the spell save DC (Web, Entangle) or the monster’s escape DC. Killing the grappler, destroying the webbing or teleporting away also work.
Do restrained creatures have disadvantage on Strength saves?
No, only Dexterity saves. Strength, Constitution and mental saving throws are unaffected.
Can a restrained creature make opportunity attacks?
Yes. It can still take reactions, and the attack has disadvantage like its others.
Does a restrained flying creature fall?
Yes, unless it can hover or is held aloft by magic. Its speed drops to 0, and a flying creature that can’t move falls.
Restrained compared with similar conditions
| Condition | How it compares |
|---|---|
| Grappled | Speed 0 only (plus an attack penalty in 2024). Usually what comes with a restraining grab. |
| Paralyzed | Much worse: no actions, failed Strength and Dexterity saves, and automatic critical hits from within 5 feet. |
| Prone | Advantage only for attackers within 5 feet, and you can stand up for half your speed. |
| Web | 2nd level: a 20-foot cube of sticky webbing that restrains on a failed Dexterity save, for up to an hour. |
| Entangle | 1st level: a 20-foot square of vines that restrains on a failed Strength save, for up to a minute. |
Spells and the restrained condition
From the SRD 5.1 spells: 8 spells can leave a creature restrained, and 1 spell can end or prevent it.
Spells that cause it
- Entangle 1st level
- Web 2nd level
- Black Tentacles 4th level
- Telekinesis 5th level
- Flesh to Stone 6th level
- Prismatic Spray 7th level
- Imprisonment 9th level
- Prismatic Wall 9th level
Spells that end or prevent it
- Freedom of Movement 4th level
Monsters and the restrained condition
Monsters whose attacks or traits cause it (30)
- Constrictor Snake CR 1/4
- Giant Frog CR 1/4
- Cockatrice CR 1/2
- Crocodile CR 1/2
- Giant Octopus CR 1
- Giant Spider CR 1
- Giant Toad CR 1
- Ettercap CR 2
- Gelatinous Cube CR 2
- Giant Constrictor Snake CR 2
- Rug of Smothering CR 2
- Basilisk CR 3
- Couatl CR 4
- Giant Crocodile CR 5
- Gorgon CR 5
- Roper CR 5
- Salamander CR 5
- Shambling Mound CR 5
- Water Elemental CR 5
- Medusa CR 6
- Chain Devil CR 8
- Tyrannosaurus Rex CR 8
- Behir CR 11
- Djinni CR 11
- Remorhaz CR 11
- Roc CR 11
- Purple Worm CR 15
- Marilith CR 16
- Kraken CR 23
- Tarrasque CR 30
Monsters immune to it (19)
- Swarm of Bats CR 1/4
- Swarm of Rats CR 1/4
- Swarm of Ravens CR 1/4
- Shadow CR 1/2
- Swarm of Beetles CR 1/2
- Swarm of Centipedes CR 1/2
- Swarm of Insects CR 1/2
- Swarm of Spiders CR 1/2
- Swarm of Wasps CR 1/2
- Specter CR 1
- Swarm of Quippers CR 1
- Swarm of Poisonous Snakes CR 2
- Will-o'-Wisp CR 2
- Ghost CR 4
- Air Elemental CR 5
- Fire Elemental CR 5
- Water Elemental CR 5
- Wraith CR 5
- Invisible Stalker CR 6