Dissonant Whispers Spell — 2024 & 2014 Rules
Dissonant Whispers attacks the mind with an impossible melody and can force the target to flee using its Reaction.
At a Glance
| 2024 | Bard 1 — 3d6 Psychic, line of sight, forced Reaction movement |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Bard 1 — 3d6 psychic, hearing matters, forced Reaction movement |
| Range | 60 feet |
| Save | Wisdom |
Choose Your Edition
Dissonant Whispers — 5.5e / 2024
| Level | 1st-level Enchantment |
|---|---|
| Casting Time | Action |
| Range | 60 feet |
| Components | V |
| Duration | Instantaneous |
Choose one creature you can see within range. It makes a Wisdom save. On a failure, it takes 3d6 Psychic damage and, if its Reaction is available, must immediately move as far away from you as it can by the safest route. On a success, it takes half damage only.
Damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st.
Dissonant Whispers — 5e / 2014
| Level | 1st-level Enchantment |
|---|---|
| Casting Time | 1 action |
| Range | 60 feet |
| Components | V |
| Duration | Instantaneous |
The target hears a discordant melody that only it can hear. A deafened creature automatically succeeds on the Wisdom save. On a failure, it takes 3d6 psychic damage and must use its Reaction, if available, to move as far as its speed allows without entering obviously dangerous ground. On a success, it takes half damage and does not move.
What Changed?
2024 requires sight but no longer depends on the target hearing the whispers; the 2014 version explicitly protects a deafened target. Damage remains 3d6 at 1st level in both versions.
Sources
- D&D 2024
- D&D 2014 Player’s Handbook — Dissonant Whispers.
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