You briefly stop the flow of time for everyone but yourself. No time passes for other creatures, while you take 1d4 + 1 turns in a row, during which you can use actions and move as normal.
This spell ends if one of the actions you use during this period, or any effects that you create during this period, affects a creature other than you or an object being worn or carried by someone other than you. In addition, the spell ends if you move to a place more than 1,000 feet from the location where you cast it.
How Time Stop plays
Time stops for everyone but you, and you take 1d4 + 1 turns in a row: between two and five, three and a half on average. During them you can move and act as normal. The spell ends early the moment one of your actions, or an effect you create, affects any other creature or an object someone else is wearing or carrying, or if you move more than 1,000 feet from where you cast it.
So you can’t use the time to attack. What you can do is prepare: cast protective spells on yourself, move to a better position, drink potions, start a concentration spell, or walk away and disappear. When time starts again, you’re in a different situation from the one your enemies saw.
When to pick Time Stop
Wizards and sorcerers who plan ahead. It rewards a list of what you’ll do in those turns, not improvising under pressure.
For escapes. A few free turns is enough to walk out of reach, or cast Dimension Door or Teleport and be gone. Leaving ends the spell, but by then you don’t need it.
For buffing. Spend the turns setting up protections like Mind Blank or Globe of Invulnerability in the middle of a fight, while the enemy can’t respond.
Common questions
How many turns does Time Stop give me?
1d4 + 1: two to five turns in a row, three and a half on average. You don’t know how many you’ll get until you roll.
Can I attack or cast spells on enemies during Time Stop?
No. The spell ends as soon as one of your actions, or an effect you create, affects another creature or something it’s wearing or carrying.
Can I cast spells on myself during Time Stop?
Yes. Spells that only affect you, or areas with no one in them, are allowed. You can also cast a concentration spell, which drops any other concentration you had.
Can I set up damage that goes off after time resumes?
Tables differ. The spell ends when an effect you create affects another creature, so an area spell placed on empty ground can be fine until something walks into it. Setups like a Delayed Blast Fireball bead waiting to detonate are a classic trick, but ask your DM how they read it.
Can I escape with Time Stop?
Yes. Moving more than 1,000 feet from where you cast it ends the spell, but it ends with you already away. Teleporting out is the cleanest version.
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.
Casting time
Action
Range
Self
Components
V
Duration
Instantaneous
School
Transmutation
Level
9
Classes
Sorcerer, Wizard
You briefly stop the flow of time for everyone but yourself. No time passes for other creatures, while you take 1d4 + 1 turns in a row, during which you can use actions and move as normal.
This spell ends if one of the actions you use during this period, or any effects that you create during it, affects a creature other than you or an object being worn or carried by someone other than you. In addition, the spell ends if you move to a place more than 1,000 feet from the location where you cast it.
2024 version from the SRD 5.2. Most tables settle on one edition, so check which one yours uses.
