Friends

A
Control

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

See all Control spells →
 spell that bends one creature with
social influence

Friends is a Social Influence spell. Social Influence spells create ways to communicate, persuade, and alter behavior.

See all Social Influence spells →
, leaving a failed
save-or-suck

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

See all Save or Suck spells →
 charm that ends in suspicion.

2024 Rules
Level & School
Enchantment cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
10 feet
Components
S, M (some makeup)
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

You magically emanate a sense of friendship toward one creature you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have the Charmed condition for the duration. The target succeeds automatically if it isn't a Humanoid, if you're fighting it, or if you have cast this spell on it within the past 24 hours.

The spell ends early if the target takes damage or if you make an attack roll, deal damage, or force anyone to make a saving throw. When the spell ends, the target knows it was Charmed by you.

2014 Rules
Level & School
Enchantment cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
Self
Components
S, M (a small amount of makeup applied to the face as this spell is cast)
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

For the duration, you have advantage on all Charisma checks directed at one creature of your choice that isn't hostile toward you. When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile toward you. A creature prone to violence might attack you. Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM's discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it.

Friends 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Friends changed a lot. It now has a 10-foot range and targets one creature you can see, with a Wisdom save to resist; on a fail, it inflicts Charmed instead of giving you advantage on Charisma checks. It now ends early if the target takes damage or if you attack, deal damage, or force a saving throw, and it automatically fails on non-Humanoids, while fighting targets and repeat casts within 24 hours are blocked.

Friends popularity

Friends is a seldom chosen cantrip. Choosing it adds a unique option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Friends

  • Charm Person 1st-level enchantment

    It is the canonical non‑damaging charm effect that targets creatures and forces a Wisdom save to become friendly to the caster.

  • Charm Monster 4th-level enchantment

    This spell functions like a more powerful version of a charm effect, using the same social manipulation and a save to turn a target into an ally.

  • Suggestion 2nd-level enchantment

    Both spells try to bend a target’s will for social ends rather than doing direct harm, relying on a saving throw to impose the caster’s intent.

  • Calm Emotions 2nd-level enchantment

    It alters a creature’s emotional state to reduce hostility or control social interaction, using a save to determine whether the effect holds.

  • Animal Friendship 1st-level enchantment

    Though it targets non‑humans, this spell similarly creates a temporary friendly bond after a save and is used for social influence rather than damage.