Grease
Conjuration · Battlefield control
Grease makes a 10-foot square slippery. In 2024 and 2014 D&D it slows movement and can knock creatures Prone. Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e add an object-targeting option, but use different skills and durations.
Grease at a Glance
| D&D 2024/2014 | 1st level, 60 ft., 10-foot square, 1 minute, no Concentration; Dexterity save or Prone; difficult terrain. |
|---|---|
| Pathfinder 1e | Object or 10-ft. square, 1 minute/level, Reflex and DC 10 Acrobatics. |
| D&D 3.5e | Object or 10-ft. square, 1 round/level, Reflex and DC 10 Balance. |
Grease Rules by Edition
Select your edition: all four entries below provide genuine published rules.
Grease — 5.5e / 2024
Published rules. These are this edition’s Grease mechanics, not a campaign conversion.
| Level and school | 1st-level Conjuration |
|---|---|
| Class access | Sorcerer, Wizard; other features may grant access |
| Casting time | 1 Action |
| Range / area | 60 feet / 10-foot square on the ground |
| Components | V, S, M (pork rind or butter) |
| Duration | 1 minute; no Concentration |
| Save / damage | Dexterity to avoid Prone; no damage |
| Higher-level casting | No additional effect stated |
Nonflammable grease covers a 10-foot square and turns it into Difficult Terrain. A creature standing there when the spell appears must pass a Dexterity save or have the Prone condition. A creature entering the area or ending its turn there must also save or fall Prone.
Example: A sentry running across a greased doorway must save on entering even if the sentry was outside the area at the moment of casting. This spell affects ground, not a sword held by a creature.
The grease is explicitly nonflammable. It gives Fireball no extra fire damage.
Source: D&D 2024 Grease.
Grease — 5e / 2014
Published rules. These are this edition’s Grease mechanics, not a campaign conversion.
| Level and school | 1st-level Conjuration |
|---|---|
| Class access | Wizard (expanded class lists may provide access) |
| Casting time | 1 Action |
| Range / area | 60 feet / 10-foot square on the ground |
| Components | V, S, M (pork rind or butter) |
| Duration | 1 minute; no Concentration |
| Save / damage | Dexterity to avoid Prone; no damage |
| Higher-level casting | No additional effect stated |
Slick grease covers the ground in a 10-foot square and creates difficult terrain for one minute. A creature standing in the patch as the spell appears makes a Dexterity save or falls Prone. The same save is required when a creature enters the patch or ends its turn there.
Example: A narrow stair or bridge approach can be slowed even when nobody fails a saving throw. The 2014 spell doesn’t have a separate greased-object option.
Unlike 2024, its description does not explicitly use the word nonflammable, but neither does it grant extra ignition damage.
Source: D&D 2014 Grease.
Grease — Pathfinder 1e
Published rules. These are this edition’s Grease mechanics, not a campaign conversion.
| School | Conjuration (creation) |
|---|---|
| Level and classes | Bard 1, Sorcerer/Wizard 1 |
| Casting time | 1 standard action |
| Range | Close (25 ft. + 5 ft. per 2 levels) |
| Target or area | One object or a 10-ft. square |
| Components | V, S, M (butter) |
| Duration | 1 minute/level (D) |
| Save / spell resistance | Reflex (see text) / No |
A creature standing in the chosen square at casting makes a Reflex save or falls. Moving through the area at half speed requires a DC 10 Acrobatics check. On failure the creature can’t move that round and must make a Reflex save; failure by five or more means falling. A stationary creature does not need the Acrobatics check and isn’t flat-footed simply because it stands on grease. The Pathfinder text does not impose the 3.5e repeated Reflex save every caster turn.
Alternatively, coat an object. A wielder makes a Reflex save or drops a greased held object; each later attempt to pick it up or use it calls for another save. Greased armour or clothing grants a +10 circumstance bonus on Escape Artist checks, combat maneuvers to escape grapple and CMD against being grappled.
Example: A character can target a guard’s spear rather than the floor; the guard might drop it on a failed Reflex save.
Source: Pathfinder 1e Core Rulebook — Grease.
Grease — D&D 3.5e
Published rules. These are this edition’s Grease mechanics, not a campaign conversion.
| School | Conjuration (creation) |
|---|---|
| Level and classes | Bard 1, Sorcerer/Wizard 1 |
| Casting time | 1 standard action |
| Range | Close (25 ft. + 5 ft. per 2 levels) |
| Target or area | One object or a 10-ft. square |
| Components | V, S, M (pork rind or butter) |
| Duration | 1 round/level (D) |
| Save / spell resistance | Reflex (see text) / No |
Grease covers solid ground. Creatures in the 10-foot square when cast must make a Reflex save or fall, and repeat this save on the caster’s turn each round they remain in the area. A creature moving through it at half speed makes a DC 10 Balance check; failure halts movement and requires a Reflex save, while failure by five or more means falling. Relevant slopes or charges can affect checks under the edition’s circumstance rules.
Alternatively, grease one object. An affected unattended object is coated, but someone holding an object receives a Reflex save to avoid dropping it. A further save is required each round the person tries to pick up or use that item. Greased armour or clothing gives a +10 circumstance bonus on Escape Artist and grapple checks to resist, escape or break a pin. Material component: pork rind or butter.
Example: A fighter crosses the greasy floor at half speed using Balance DC 10; unlike the Pathfinder version, the spell’s area can force another Reflex save on the caster’s following turn.
Source: D&D 3.5e SRD — Grease.
What Changed?
- 2024 explicitly says nonflammable. Neither fifth-edition description provides additional fire damage.
- Pathfinder 1e: 1 minute per caster level and Acrobatics, including the option to grease held gear.
- D&D 3.5e: 1 round per caster level and Balance; Reflex saves repeat on the caster’s turn for creatures still standing there.
Using Grease
Place the spell across an approach, a narrow bridge or a doorway, where the extra movement cost buys time for the party. The spell itself deals no damage and doesn’t impose Restrained. Compare Web for another control spell. If it is combined with Fireball, do not invent bonus fire damage.
Sources and Licensing
Primary sources: D&D 2024, D&D 2014, Pathfinder 1e Core Rulebook, D&D 3.5e SRD. These are original summaries of published rules, not new spells. The Pathfinder and D&D 3.5e source references contain Open Game Content governed by the respective OGL notices; fifth-edition SRDs are available under CC BY 4.0. Original editorial examples are not themselves reproduced rules text.
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