Compulsion
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 4th-level enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 30 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Bard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
Each creature of your choice that you can see within range must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have the Charmed condition until the spell ends.
For the duration, you can take a Bonus Action to designate a direction that is horizontal to you. Each Charmed target must use as much of its movement as possible to move in that direction on its next turn, taking the safest route. After moving in this way, a target repeats the save, ending the spell on itself on a success.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 4th-level enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 30 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Bard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
Creatures of your choice that you can see within range and that can hear you must make a Wisdom saving throw. A target automatically succeeds on this saving throw if it can't be charmed. On a failed save, a target is affected by this spell. Until the spell ends, you can use a bonus action on each of your turns to designate a direction that is horizontal to you. Each affected target must use as much of its movement as possible to move in that direction on its next turn. It can take its action before it moves. After moving in this way, it can make another Wisdom saving throw to try to end the effect.
A target isn't compelled to move into an obviously deadly hazard, such as a fire or pit, but it will provoke opportunity attacks to move in the designated direction.
Compulsion 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Compulsion popularity
How popular is Compulsion? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, but is often chosen over other options when available. This spell could be a valuable addition for spellbooks.
- Top 50% picked level 4 Bard spell
- Bottom 25% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 10% of all level 4 spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Compulsion
Suggestion 2nd-level enchantment
Both spells use enchantment magic to influence a creature's actions rather than dealing damage, with bard access and concentration involved.
Players prefer Suggestion over Compulsion
Slow 3rd-level transmutation
Like Compulsion, it is a concentration control spell that weakens several enemies and interferes directly with their movement.
Players prefer Compulsion over Slow
Fear 3rd-level illusion
This concentration spell also forces multiple failed-save targets to move against their will for a tactical battlefield effect.
Players prefer Compulsion over Fear
Confusion 4th-level enchantment
Both are 4th-level enchantments that disrupt several creatures at once with recurring saving throws over a minute.
Players prefer Compulsion over Confusion
Charm Monster 4th-level enchantment
The shared enchantment theme, Wisdom-based resistance, multiple targets, and bard access make it a close social-control alternative.
Players prefer Compulsion over Charm Monster
Crown of Madness 2nd-level enchantment
It is a concentration-based enchantment that charms a creature and uses the caster's action economy to direct its behavior.
Players prefer Compulsion over Crown of Madness