8th-level enchantment · 2024 version below
You speak a word of power that can overwhelm the mind of one creature you can see within range, leaving it dumbfounded. If the target has 150 hit points or fewer, it is stunned. Otherwise, the spell has no effect.
The stunned target must make a Constitution saving throw at the end of each of its turns. On a successful save, this stunning effect ends.
You speak one word at a creature you can see within 60 feet. If it has 150 hit points or fewer right now, it’s stunned: it can’t move or act, automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saves, and every attack against it has advantage. If it has more than 150, nothing happens, and the slot is gone.
There’s no saving throw to resist it. The target only gets a Constitution save at the end of each of its turns to shake it off, which means it always loses at least one turn. It needs no concentration, either, so it keeps working while you cast something else.
Not to avoid it. If the target has 150 hit points or fewer, it’s stunned. It makes a Constitution save at the end of each of its turns, and a success ends the stun.
The 2014 rules don’t say you know. Some DMs will tell you when you ask, or describe how hurt a creature looks; otherwise you judge from the damage the party has dealt. If you guess wrong, the slot is wasted.
Yes. It isn’t a charm effect and doesn’t care about creature type. Only a creature immune to the stunned condition is unaffected.
The creature is incapacitated (no actions or reactions), can’t move, can speak only falteringly, automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saving throws, and attack rolls against it have advantage.
Yes. It has a verbal component, so an enemy caster who sees you cast it can use Counterspell, with a check against DC 18.
Current hit points. That’s why it gets better as a fight goes on.
| Spell | How it compares |
|---|---|
| Power Word Kill | 9th level: a creature with 100 hit points or fewer simply dies. Same no-save design, one step up. |
| Hold Monster | 5th level: paralyzes any creature except undead on a failed Wisdom save, with concentration. Cheaper, but the target gets a save up front. |
| Feeblemind | Also 8th level: 4d6 psychic and, on a failed Intelligence save, the target can’t cast spells or communicate. Devastating against casters. |
| Banishment | 4th level: a Charisma save or the target is removed from the fight while you concentrate. |
| Dominate Monster | Also 8th level: a Wisdom save or you control the creature for up to an hour, with concentration. |
| Class | First available | Spellcasting ability |
|---|---|---|
| Bard spells | 15th character level | Charisma |
| Sorcerer spells | 15th character level | Charisma |
| Warlock spells | 15th character level | Charisma |
| Wizard spells | 15th character level | Intelligence |
The 2024 Player’s Handbook revised many spells, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new text. What changed from the 2014 version above:
Same level, casting time, range, components, duration and dice; the text is reworded for the 2024 rules glossary.
You overwhelm the mind of one creature you can see within range. If the target has 150 Hit Points or fewer, it has the Stunned condition. Otherwise, its Speed is 0 until the start of your next turn.
The Stunned target makes a Constitution saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the condition on itself on a success.
2024 version from the SRD 5.2. Most tables settle on one edition, so check which one yours uses.
Browse: all 8th-level spells · enchantment spells