Stunned 5e condition
How the stunned 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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Stunned in the 2014 rules (SRD 5.1)
- A stunned creature is incapacitated, can't move, and can speak only falteringly.
- The creature automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saving throws.
- Attack rolls against the creature have advantage.
Stunned in the 2024 rules (SRD 5.2)
While you have the Stunned condition, you experience the following effects.
Incapacitated. You have the Incapacitated condition.
Saving Throws Affected. You automatically fail Strength and Dexterity saving throws.
Attacks Affected. Attack rolls against you have Advantage.
What changed in 2024
- In 2014 a stunned creature can’t move and can speak only falteringly. The 2024 text doesn’t stop you moving, and you can’t speak because Stunned includes Incapacitated.
- Failing Strength and Dexterity saves and Advantage on attacks against you are unchanged.
How Stunned works
A stunned creature is incapacitated, so it can’t take actions or reactions. It can’t move, it can speak only falteringly, it automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saving throws, and every attack roll against it has advantage.
That puts it one step below paralyzed. The difference is critical hits: a hit on a paralyzed creature from within 5 feet is an automatic crit, and a hit on a stunned one isn’t.
Stuns are usually short. A monk’s Stunning Strike lasts until the end of the monk’s next turn, and Power Word Stun allows a Constitution save at the end of each of the target’s turns.
Where stuns come from
- Monks. From 5th level, Stunning Strike spends 1 ki point when you hit with a melee weapon attack. The target makes a Constitution save or is stunned until the end of your next turn.
- Spells: Power Word Stun stuns a creature with 150 hit points or fewer, no save to resist it, and Divine Word stuns creatures at 30 hit points or fewer for an hour.
- Monsters: a vrock’s Stunning Screech stuns every creature within 20 feet that can hear it and isn’t a demon, until the end of the vrock’s next turn, on a failed DC 14 Constitution save.
- Cash it in. Stun the dangerous caster, then gang up: every attack has advantage, and a Dexterity-save spell like Fireball deals full damage because the save fails automatically.
What changed in 2024
The 2024 condition is shorter. A stunned creature has the Incapacitated condition, automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saves, and attack rolls against it have advantage. It no longer says the creature can’t move, so by the 2024 text a stunned creature can still walk on its turn. The faltering speech is gone too, because the 2024 Incapacitated condition already means you can’t speak.
The sources changed as well. The 2024 Power Word Stun sets a creature with more than 150 hit points to Speed 0 until the start of your next turn instead of doing nothing, and the 2024 monk’s Stunning Strike stuns only until the start of the monk’s next turn.
Common questions
Can a stunned creature move?
Not in the 2014 rules: the condition says it can’t move. The 2024 condition drops that line, so a stunned creature can move but still can’t take actions, bonus actions or reactions.
Are attacks against a stunned creature critical hits?
No. They have advantage, which doubles the odds of rolling a 20, but automatic critical hits from within 5 feet belong to paralyzed and unconscious creatures.
Does being stunned break concentration?
Yes. A stunned creature is incapacitated, and an incapacitated creature loses concentration.
Can a stunned creature make saving throws?
It automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saves. Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma saves are rolled normally, including the save to shake off the stun.
How long does Stunning Strike last?
In the 2014 rules, until the end of the monk’s next turn, so the target loses its next turn and stays stunned until the monk’s next turn ends. The 2024 version ends at the start of the monk’s next turn.
Does a stunned creature drop what it’s holding?
No. Dropping held items and falling prone are part of unconscious, not stunned. A stunned creature keeps hold of its weapon and stays on its feet.
Stunned compared with similar conditions
| Condition | How it compares |
|---|---|
| Paralyzed | Everything stunned does, plus no moving or speaking and automatic critical hits from within 5 feet. |
| Incapacitated | The core of stunned, without the advantage for attackers or the failed saves. |
| Restrained | Also advantage for attackers, but the creature can still act, and only its Dexterity saves suffer. |
| Power Word Stun | 8th level: stuns a creature with 150 hit points or fewer, with a Constitution save at the end of each of its turns to end it. |
| Hold Monster | 5th level: paralyzes any creature except undead on a failed Wisdom save. The lower-level way to lock down a big target. |
Spells and the stunned condition
From the SRD 5.1 spells: 4 spells can leave a creature stunned.
Spells that cause it
- Contagion 5th level
- Divine Word 7th level
- Symbol 7th level
- Power Word Stun 8th level
Monsters and the stunned condition
Monsters whose attacks or traits cause it (2)
- Otyugh CR 5
- Mummy Lord CR 15
Monsters immune to it (10)
- Swarm of Bats CR 1/4
- Swarm of Rats CR 1/4
- Swarm of Ravens CR 1/4
- 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
- Swarm of Quippers CR 1
- Swarm of Poisonous Snakes CR 2