Enchantment Magic • Legacy Compulsion

Hypnotism

Hypnotic séance representing the Hypnotism spell

Hypnotism fascinates a small group and makes a brief request seem more reasonable. The rules below preserve the older d20 form rather than importing it into modern Witch spell lists.

Hypnotism at a Glance

5.5e / 2024 No spell by this name in SRD 5.2.1
5e / 2014 No core spell by this name
Pathfinder 1e Use the Pathfinder spell list if the campaign includes it
D&D 3.x Legacy Bard 1, Sorcerer/Wizard 1; preserved in the Witch archive

Legacy d20 Rules

School Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]
Level Bard 1, Sorcerer/Wizard 1
Components V, S
Casting Time 1 round
Range Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Area Several living creatures, no two more than 30 ft. apart
Duration 2d4 rounds (D)
Saving Throw Will negates
Spell Resistance Yes

Roll 2d4 to determine the total Hit Dice of creatures affected, beginning with creatures that have fewer Hit Dice. Affected creatures must be able to see or hear the caster.

Combat makes resistance easier: targets in combat receive +2 on the save. If only one creature is targeted and it is not in combat, its save takes a –2 penalty.

While fascinated, a creature reacts as though two attitude steps friendlier for the purpose of one brief, reasonable request. A creature that fails the save does not remember being enchanted by the spell.

Edition Boundary

Do not carry the older Hit-Dice pool, attitude shifts or memory rule into 5.5e automatically. Modern charm and suggestion effects use different mechanics.

Using Hypnotism in Play

Hypnotism is most useful outside a chaotic melee: calming a room, softening a first impression or making one brief request seem reasonable. It does not turn affected creatures into puppets.

Counterplay and Related Magic

Will saves, combat bonuses and mind-affecting immunity apply under the legacy rules. Compare Charm Person, Suggestion and Enthrall. Dispel Magic can end an ongoing legacy enchantment.

Rules Sources and Licensing

This page preserves the older d20 form for legacy play and Witch-archive reference.

← Witch Spell Lists

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