Animate Objects

A
Support

Animate Objects is a Support spell. Support spells strengthen, protect, or buff allies.

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spell that
brings objects to life

Animate Objects is a Summoning spell. Summoning spells create new allies.

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for
bonus action control

Animate Objects is a Action Economy spell. Action Economy spells grant you more choices on future turns.

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over
multiple minions

Animate Objects is a Multi Target spell. Multi Target spells have an area of effect or can explicitly target multiple allies or enemies.

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.

2024 Rules

Level & School
5th-level transmutation
Casting Time
Action
Range
120 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard

Objects animate at your command. Choose a number of nonmagical objects within range that aren't being worn or carried, aren't fixed to a surface, and aren't Gargantuan. The maximum number of objects is equal to your spellcasting ability modifier; for this number, a Medium or smaller target counts as one object, a Large target counts as two, and a Huge target counts as three. Each target animates, sprouts legs, and becomes a Construct that uses the Animated Object stat block; this creature is under your control until the spell ends or until it is reduced to 0 Hit Points. Each creature you make with this spell is an ally to you and your allies. In combat, it shares your Initiative count and takes its turn immediately after yours.

Until the spell ends, you can take a Bonus Action to mentally command any creature you made with this spell if the creature is within 500 feet of you (if you control multiple creatures, you can command any of them at the same time, issuing the same command to each one). If you issue no commands, the creature takes the Dodge action and moves only to avoid harm. When the creature drops to 0 Hit Points, it reverts to its object form, and any remaining damage carries over to that form.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The creature's Slam damage increases by 1d4 (Medium or smaller), 1d6 (Large), or 1d12 (Huge) for each spell slot level above 5.

2014 Rules

Level & School
5th-level transmutation
Casting Time
Action
Range
120 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Concentration, 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard

Objects come to life at your command. Choose up to ten nonmagical objects within range that are not being worn or carried. Medium targets count as two objects, Large targets count as four objects, Huge targets count as eight objects. You can't animate any object larger than Huge. Each target animates and becomes a creature under your control until the spell ends or until reduced to 0 hit points.

As a bonus action, you can mentally command any creature you made with this spell if the creature is within 500 feet of you (if you control multiple creatures, you can command any or all of them at the same time, issuing the same command to each one). You decide what action the creature will take and where it will move during its next turn, or you can issue a general command, such as to guard a particular chamber or corridor. If you issue no commands, the creature only defends itself against hostile creatures. Once given an order, the creature continues to follow it until its task is complete.

Size HP AC Attack Str Dex
Tiny 20 18 +8 to hit, 1d4 + 4 damage 4 18
Small 25 16 +6 to hit, 1d8 + 2 damage 6 14
Medium 40 13 +5 to hit, 2d6 + 1 damage 10 12
Large 50 10 +6 to hit, 2d10 + 2 damage 14 10
Huge 80 10 +8 to hit, 2d12 + 4 damage 18 6

An animated object is a construct with AC, hit points, attacks, Strength, and Dexterity determined by its size. Its Constitution is 10 and its Intelligence and Wisdom are 3, and its Charisma is 1. Its speed is

30 feet; if the object lacks legs or other appendages it can use for locomotion, it instead has a flying speed of 30 feet and can hover. If the object is securely attached to a surface or a larger object, such as a chain bolted to a wall, its speed is 0. It has blindsight with a radius of 30 feet and is blind beyond that distance. When the animated object drops to 0 hit points, it reverts to its original object form, and any remaining damage carries over to its original object form.

If you command an object to attack, it can make a single melee attack against a creature within 5 feet of it. It makes a slam attack with an attack bonus and bludgeoning damage determined by its size. The GM might rule that a specific object inflicts slashing or piercing damage based on its form.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. If you cast this spell using a spell slot of 6th level or higher, you can animate two additional objects for each slot level above 5th.

Animate Objects 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

It now animates a number of objects equal to your spellcasting ability modifier instead of up to 10, with different size counting: Medium or smaller 1, Large 2, Huge 3. It can’t target Gargantuan or fixed objects. The animated creatures now share your initiative, are allies, and the upcast boosts Slam damage instead of adding more objects.

Animate Objects popularity

Animate Objects is a commonly chosen level 5 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Animate Objects

  • Summon Construct 4th-level conjuration

    It creates one or more construct allies you control for combat, matching the summoned-ally, action-economy function of the target spell.

  • Conjure Elemental 5th-level conjuration

    Both call forth creatures that fight for you and last for a limited, concentration-bound duration, filling a similar tactical role.

  • Conjure Animals 3rd-level conjuration

    This spell summons multiple allied creatures to swarm the battlefield, offering the same multi-target action-economy benefit as the target spell.

  • Animate Dead 3rd-level necromancy

    It animates nonliving things into controllable allies and scales the number/utility of those allies, making it close in mechanical concept and use.

  • Giant Insect 4th-level conjuration

    Like the target, it transforms or animates nonplayer entities into controlled combatants that act on your initiative for a concentrated period.