Blindness/Deafness
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 2nd-level transmutation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V
- Duration
- 1 minute
- Classes
- Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
One creature that you can see within range must succeed on a Constitution saving throw, or it has the Blinded or Deafened condition (your choice) for the duration. At the end of each of its turns, the target repeats the save, ending the spell on itself on a success.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. You can target one additional creature for each spell slot level above 2.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 2nd-level necromancy
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 30 feet
- Components
- V
- Duration
- 1 minute
- Classes
- Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
You can blind or deafen a foe. Choose one creature that you can see within range to make a Constitution saving throw. If it fails, the target is either blinded or deafened (your choice) for the duration. At the end of each of its turns, the target can make a Constitution saving throw. On a success, the spell ends.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level above 2nd.
Blindness/Deafness 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
How popular is Blindness/Deafness in 5e?
Blindness/Deafness is the #11 most popular level 2 spell (of 96) and the #13 most picked level 2 Wizard spell (of 70).
Among level 2 spells, Blindness/Deafness ranks just below Shatter and just above Detect Thoughts in popularity.
- #79 (of 567) most popular 5e spell
- #11 (of 96) most popular level 2 spell
- #13 (of 70) most picked level 2 Wizard spell
- #13 (of 50) most picked level 2 Sorcerer spell
- #15 (of 35) most picked level 2 Bard spell
- #11 (of 20) most picked level 2 Cleric spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Blindness/Deafness
Hypnotic Pattern 3rd-level illusion
Both spells can take creatures out of a fight through a failed save and remain relevant for roughly one minute.
Players prefer Hypnotic Pattern over Blindness/Deafness
Hold Person 2nd-level enchantment
Like Blindness/Deafness, it imposes a powerful disabling condition on a failed save and can be repeated against multiple targets at higher levels.
Players prefer Hold Person over Blindness/Deafness
Bane 1st-level enchantment
It uses a saving throw to impose an ongoing combat penalty, with the same short-duration debuffing purpose.
Players prefer Bane over Blindness/Deafness
Fear 3rd-level illusion
A failed saving throw leaves affected enemies severely impaired for an extended portion of the encounter, though this version targets an area.
Players prefer Fear over Blindness/Deafness
Bestow Curse 3rd-level necromancy
Both are single-target curses that weaken an enemy after a failed saving throw and can last for about a minute.
Players prefer Bestow Curse over Blindness/Deafness
Ray of Enfeeblement 2nd-level necromancy
This is another low-level ranged spell that focuses on substantially hindering one creature rather than dealing damage.
Players prefer Blindness/Deafness over Ray of Enfeeblement