Evard's Black Tentacles

Level & School
4th-level conjuration
Casting Time
Action
Range
90 feet
Components
V, S, M (a tentacle)
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 minute
Classes
Wizard

Squirming, ebony tentacles fill a 20-foot square on ground that you can see within range. For the duration, these tentacles turn the ground in that area into Difficult Terrain.

Each creature in that area makes a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 3d6 Bludgeoning damage, and it has the Restrained condition until the spell ends. A creature also makes that save if it enters the area or ends it turn there. A creature makes that save only once per turn.

A Restrained creature can take an action to make a Strength (Athletics) check against your spell save DC, ending the condition on itself on a success.

Level & School
4th-level conjuration
Casting Time
Action
Range
90 feet
Components
V, S, M (a piece of tentacle from a giant octopus or a giant squid)
Duration
Concentration, 1 minute
Classes
Wizard

Squirming, ebony tentacles fill a 20-foot square on ground that you can see within range. For the duration, these tentacles turn the ground in the area into difficult terrain.

When a creature enters the affected area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there, the creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 3d6 bludgeoning damage and be restrained by the tentacles until the spell ends. A creature that starts its turn in the area and is already restrained by the tentacles takes 3d6 bludgeoning damage.

A creature restrained by the tentacles can use its action to make a Strength or Dexterity check (its choice) against your spell save DC. On a success, it frees itself.

Evard's Black Tentacles 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The 2024 version specifies "up to 1 minute" duration, clarifies that creatures make a single Strength saving throw when entering or starting turn in the area (not each time), and that restrained creatures can use an action to end the condition with a Strength (Athletics) check. It also states creatures make only one save per turn.

Spells similar to Evard's Black Tentacles

  • Entangle

    Both create difficult terrain and restrain creatures.

  • Grasping Vine

    Both conjure a restraining effect on enemies in a specified area.

  • Web

    Both create difficult terrain and restrict creature movement.

  • Doomtide

    Both create an area of magical darkness and negative effects on creatures within.

  • Control Water

    Both manipulate an area to create difficult terrain with similar thematic elements.