Hold Person

A
Control

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

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 spell that freezes a humanoid in place, leaving it helpless until it shakes off the effect. Scale it to
multiple targets

Hold Person 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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, but a failed save can mean instant shutdown
save or suck

Hold Person 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 →
.

2024 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level enchantment
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S, M (a straight piece of iron)
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

Choose a Humanoid 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 Humanoid for each spell slot level above 2.

2014 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level enchantment
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S, M (a small, straight piece of iron)
Duration
Concentration, 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

Choose a humanoid that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed for the duration. 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 3rd level or higher, you can target one additional humanoid for each slot level above 2nd. The humanoids must be within 30 feet of each other when you target them.

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

Upcasting changed: the 2014 version let you affect extra humanoids only if they were within 30 feet of each other; that spacing restriction is gone in 2024.

Hold Person popularity

Hold Person is one of the most popular level 2 spells in the game. Choosing it adds a D&D staple to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Hold Person

  • Hold Monster 5th-level enchantment

    It is basically the higher‑level version of this spell that also paralyzes targets on a failed Wisdom save and can affect multiple creatures at higher slots.

  • Dominate Person 5th-level enchantment

    A same‑school enchantment that seizes control of a humanoid with a repeated save dynamic and a similar long, concentration‑based effect.

  • Hypnotic Pattern 3rd-level illusion

    Although it’s an illusion, it incapacitates groups on a failed Wisdom save for up to a minute, serving a similar crowd‑control role in fights.

  • Crown of Madness 2nd-level enchantment

    A level 2 enchantment that forces a single target to behave against allies and requires concentration, making it a close tactical alternative for controlling one enemy.

  • Suggestion 2nd-level enchantment

    It’s a level 2 enchantment that manipulates a single creature’s actions via a Wisdom save and can be used to neutralize a target without directly harming them.

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