Crown of Madness
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 2nd-level enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, up to 1 minute
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
One creature that you can see within range must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have the Charmed condition for the duration. The creature succeeds automatically if it isn't Humanoid. A spectral crown appears on the Charmed target's head, and it must use its action before moving on each of its turns to make a melee attack against a creature other than itself that you mentally choose. The target can act normally on its turn if you choose no creature or if no creature is within its reach. The target repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the spell on itself on a success.
On your later turns, you must take the Magic action to maintain control of the target, or the spell ends.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 2nd-level enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, up to 1 minute
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
One humanoid of your choice that you can see within range must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become charmed by you for the duration. While the target is charmed in this way, a twisted crown of jagged iron appears on its head, and a madness glows in its eyes.
The charmed target must use its action before moving on each of its turns to make a melee attack against a creature other than itself that you mentally choose. The target can act normally on its turn if you choose no creature or if none are within its reach.
On your subsequent turns, you must use your action to maintain control over the target, or the spell ends. Also, the target can make a Wisdom saving throw at the end of each of its turns. On a success, the spell ends.
Crown of Madness 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Crown of Madness popularity
How popular is Crown of Madness? It is a commonly found spell in the game, but it is almost never chosen when available. This spell is not highly valued.
- Top 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 50% of all level 2 spells
- Bottom 25% picked level 2 Wizard spell
- Bottom 10% picked level 2 Bard spell
- Bottom 10% picked level 2 Sorcerer spell
- Bottom 10% picked level 2 Warlock spell
Spells similar to Crown of Madness
Hold Person 2nd-level enchantment
Targets humanoids with a control effect that relies on a save and repeat checks, making it a comparable go-to for disabling a single enemy in combat.
Players prefer Hold Person over Crown of Madness
Suggestion 2nd-level enchantment
A same-level enchantment that persuades a single target to follow actions you prescribe and forces repeated checks to break free.
Players prefer Suggestion over Crown of Madness
Dominate Person 5th-level enchantment
A more powerful version of taking over a humanoid’s actions, including the option to force specific actions and the need to maintain control over the target.
Players prefer Dominate Person over Crown of Madness
Bestow Curse 3rd-level necromancy
An enchantment that imposes a long-lasting, choice-driven penalty on a target and uses saves and concentration in ways similar to manipulating a creature’s behavior.
Players prefer Bestow Curse over Crown of Madness
Charm Person 1st-level enchantment
Both create a charm effect on a humanoid that changes who the target treats as friendly and can be used for social or tactical manipulation.
Players prefer Charm Person over Crown of Madness