Dream
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 5th-level illusion
- Casting Time
- 1 minute
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V, S, M (a handful of sand)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Classes
- Bard, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
You target a creature you know on the same plane of existence. You or a willing creature you touch enters a trance state to act as a dream messenger. While in the trance, the messenger is Incapacitated and has a Speed of 0.
If the target is asleep, the messenger appears in the target's dreams and can converse with the target as long as it remains asleep, through the spell's duration. The messenger can also shape the dream's environment, creating landscapes, objects, and other images. The messenger can emerge from the trance at any time, ending the spell. The target recalls the dream perfectly upon waking.
If the target is awake when you cast the spell, the messenger knows it and can either end the trance (and the spell) or wait for the target to sleep, at which point the messenger enters its dreams.
You can make the messenger terrifying to the target. If you do so, the messenger can deliver a message of no more than ten words, and then the target makes a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target gains no benefit from its rest, and it takes 3d6 Psychic damage when it wakes up.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 5th-level illusion
- Casting Time
- 1 minute
- Range
- Special
- Components
- V, S, M (a handful of sand, a dab of ink, and a writing quill plucked from a sleeping bird)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Classes
- Bard, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
This spell shapes a creature's dreams. Choose a creature known to you as the target of this spell. The target must be on the same plane of existence as you. Creatures that don't sleep, such as elves, can't be contacted by this spell. You, or a willing creature you touch, enters a trance state, acting as a messenger. While in the trance, the messenger is aware of his or her surroundings, but can't take actions or move.
If the target is asleep, the messenger appears in the target's dreams and can converse with the target as long as it remains asleep, through the duration of the spell. The messenger can also shape the environment of the dream, creating landscapes, objects, and other images. The messenger can emerge from the trance at any time, ending the effect of the spell early. The target recalls the dream perfectly upon waking. If the target is awake when you cast the spell, the messenger knows it, and can either end the trance (and the spell) or wait for the target to fall asleep, at which point the messenger appears in the target's dreams.
You can make the messenger appear monstrous and terrifying to the target. If you do, the messenger can deliver a message of no more than ten words and then the target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, echoes of the phantasmal monstrosity spawn a nightmare that lasts the duration of the target's sleep and prevents the target from gaining any benefit from that rest. In addition, when the target wakes up, it takes 3d6 psychic damage.
If you have a body part, lock of hair, clipping from a nail, or similar portion of the target's body, the target makes its saving throw with disadvantage.
Dream 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Dream popularity
How popular is Dream? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, and is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may fill a specific niche for a spellbook.
- Top 50% picked level 5 Warlock spell
- Top 50% of all level 5 spells
- Top 50% picked level 5 Wizard spell
- Bottom 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 50% picked level 5 Bard spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Dream
Animal Messenger 2nd-level enchantment
The spell provides delayed, long-distance message delivery and shares Dream's bard-oriented communication niche.
Players prefer Animal Messenger over Dream
Sending 3rd-level divination
Both are primarily used to deliver information to a distant creature without needing to be physically present.
Players prefer Sending over Dream
Scrying 5th-level divination
Both target a creature known to the caster for remote interaction and information gathering, though Scrying emphasizes observation instead.
Players prefer Scrying over Dream
Geas 5th-level enchantment
Like Dream, it uses a personal message or command to influence a known creature and can impose psychic consequences.
Players prefer Geas over Dream
Rary's Telepathic Bond 5th-level divination
Both enable meaningful long-distance communication between creatures, with matching fifth-level utility and strong bard/wizard overlap.
Players prefer Rary's Telepathic Bond over Dream
Project Image 7th-level illusion
This illusion also lets the caster communicate remotely through a projected presence over an extended duration.
Players prefer Dream over Project Image