Dissonant Whispers
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 1st-level enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Bard
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
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
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.
- #1 picked level 1 Bard spell
- Top 25% of all 5e spells
- Top 50% of all level 1 spells
Spells similar to Dissonant Whispers
Vicious Mockery Enchantment cantrip
A bard-only offensive cantrip that deals psychic harm to a single foe and is often used in the same tactical slot as this spell.
Players prefer Vicious Mockery over Dissonant Whispers
Command 1st-level enchantment
A short, one-word compulsion that can force a creature to flee or move, matching the target spell's immediate manipulation of a target's movement.
Players prefer Dissonant Whispers over Command
Phantasmal Force 2nd-level illusion
Creates a mental illusion that targets one creature and manipulates its behavior, sharing the solo mind-affecting niche of the target spell.
Players prefer Dissonant Whispers over Phantasmal Force
Fear 3rd-level illusion
A spell that causes creatures to drop what they're doing and run away, making it mechanically similar because it provokes forced relocation and disruption.
Players prefer Dissonant Whispers over Fear
Mind Sliver Enchantment cantrip
A single-target mental attack that deals psychic damage and interferes with a target's mental defenses in a similar way.
Players prefer Dissonant Whispers over Mind Sliver