Fear

A
Control

Fear is a Control spell. Control spells restrict enemy options through debuffs or denial effects.

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 spell that sends
multiple creatures

Fear is a Multi Target spell. Multi Target spells have an area of effect or can explicitly target multiple allies or enemies.

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 fleeing in terror, making them drop their gear unless they resist a
save-or-suck

Fear is a Save or Suck spell. Save or Suck spells fall entirely flat if the target succeeds on a saving throw.

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 effect.

2024 Rules
Level & School
3rd-level illusion
Casting Time
Action
Range
Self (30-foot cone)
Components
V, S, M (a white feather)
Duration
Concentration, 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Source
Player's Handbook (2024)

Each creature in a 30-foot Cone must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or drop whatever it is holding and have the Frightened condition for the duration.

A Frightened creature takes the Dash action and moves away from you by the safest route on each of its turns unless there is nowhere to move. If the creature ends its turn in a space where it doesn't have line of sight to you, the creature makes a Wisdom saving throw. On a successful save, the spell ends on that creature.

2014 Rules
Level & School
3rd-level illusion
Casting Time
Action
Range
Self (30-foot cone)
Components
V, S, M (a white feather or the heart of a hen)
Duration
Concentration, 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Source
Player's Handbook (2014)

You project a phantasmal image of a creature's worst fears. Each creature in a 30-foot cone must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or drop whatever it is holding and become frightened for the duration.

While frightened by this spell, a creature must take the Dash action and move away from you by the safest available route on each of its turns, unless there is nowhere to move. If the creature ends its turn in a location where it doesn't have line of sight to you, the creature can make a Wisdom saving throw. On a successful save, the spell ends for that creature.

Fear 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Effectively the same spell. The 2024 version is reworded but functions identically.

Fear popularity

How popular is Fear? It is a commonly found spell in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a reliable addition to any spellbook.

Read about how this popularity data is calculated.

Spells similar to Fear