Hold Monster

A
Control

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

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 spell that can
paralyze

Hold Monster 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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 one creature, or
multiple creatures

Hold Monster 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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 at higher levels, until they shake free.

2024 Rules
Level & School
5th-level enchantment
Casting Time
Action
Range
90 feet
Components
V, S, M (a straight piece of iron)
Duration
Concentration, 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Source
Player's Handbook (2024)

Choose a creature that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have the Paralyzed condition for the duration. At the end of each of its turns, the target repeats the save, ending the spell on itself on a success.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. You can target one additional creature for each spell slot level above 5.

2014 Rules
Level & School
5th-level enchantment
Casting Time
Action
Range
90 feet
Components
V, S, M (a small, straight piece of iron)
Duration
Concentration, 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Source
Player's Handbook (2014)

Choose a creature that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed for the duration. This spell has no effect on undead. At the end of each of its turns, the target can make another Wisdom saving throw. On a success, the spell ends on the target.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 6th level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level above 5th. The creatures must be within 30 feet of each other when you target them.

Hold Monster 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The undead immunity is gone, so in 2024 Hold Monster can affect undead now. Everything else functions the same at the table, including concentration, range, duration, and upcasting.

How popular is Hold Monster in 5e?

Hold Monster is the #2 most popular level 5 spell (of 68) and the #1 most picked level 5 Warlock spell (of 17).

Among level 5 spells, Hold Monster ranks just below Cone of Cold and just above Mass Cure Wounds in popularity.

Read about how this popularity data is calculated.

Spells similar to Hold Monster