Dissonant Whispers

A
Damage

Dissonant Whispers is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
spell that assails one creature with maddening whispers, driving it to flee and creating
battlefield control

Dissonant Whispers is a Battlefield Shaping spell. Battlefield Shaping spells alter terrain, create obstacles, introduce hazards, and affect enemy positioning.

See all Battlefield Shaping spells →
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2024 Rules

Level & School
1st-level enchantment
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Bard
Source
Player's Handbook (2024)

One creature of your choice that you can see within range hears a discordant melody in its mind. The target makes a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 3d6 Psychic damage and must immediately use its Reaction, if available, to move as far away from you as it can, using the safest route. On a successful save, the target takes half as much damage only.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 1.

2014 Rules

Level & School
1st-level enchantment
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Bard
Source
Player's Handbook (2014)

You whisper a discordant melody that only one creature of your choice within range can hear, wracking it with terrible pain. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 3d6 psychic damage and must immediately use its reaction, if available, to move as far as its speed allows away from you. The creature doesn't move into obviously dangerous ground, such as a fire or a pit. On a successful save, the target takes half as much damage and doesn't have to move away. A deafened creature automatically succeeds on the save.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st.

Dissonant Whispers 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The 2024 version now requires a creature you can see within range, instead of just a creature within range that can hear you. It also says the target uses its Reaction to move away using the safest route. Otherwise, it works the same.

Dissonant Whispers popularity

How popular is Dissonant Whispers? It is a commonly found spell in the game, and is chosen above nearly all other options when available. This spell is a widely sought-after option.

Read about how this popularity data is calculated.

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