Maximilian's Earthen Grasp
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 2nd-level transmutation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 30 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a miniature hand sculpted from clay)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything
You choose a 5-foot-square unoccupied space on the ground that you can see within range. A Medium hand made from compacted soil rises there and reaches for one creature you can see within 5 feet of it. The target must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 2d6 bludgeoning damage and is restrained for the spell's duration.
As an action, you can cause the hand to crush the restrained target, which must make a Strength saving throw. The target takes 2d6 bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
To break out, the restrained target can use its action to make a Strength check against your spell save DC. On a success, the target escapes and is no longer restrained by the hand.
As an action, you can cause the hand to reach for a different creature or to move to a different unoccupied space within range. The hand releases a restrained target if you do either.
Maximilian's Earthen Grasp 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Maximilian's Earthen Grasp is currently only available in the 2014 edition.
Maximilian's Earthen Grasp popularity
How popular is Maximilian's Earthen Grasp? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, and is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may fill a specific niche for a spellbook.
- Bottom 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 50% picked level 2 Wizard spell
- Bottom 50% picked level 2 Sorcerer spell
- Bottom 25% of all level 2 spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Maximilian's Earthen Grasp
Ensnaring Strike 1st-level conjuration
A failed save leaves a creature restrained while the caster maintains concentration, though this version is tied to a weapon attack.
Players prefer Ensnaring Strike over Maximilian's Earthen Grasp
Hold Person 2nd-level enchantment
Both are level 2 concentration spells that can lock down one creature for up to a minute after a failed saving throw.
Players prefer Hold Person over Maximilian's Earthen Grasp
Web 2nd-level conjuration
It is a concentration spell that creates ground-based restraint and battlefield obstruction, with overlapping wizard and sorcerer lists.
Players prefer Web over Maximilian's Earthen Grasp
Otiluke's Resilient Sphere 4th-level abjuration
It offers comparable single-target removal through a concentration-based failed-save effect, but isolates rather than restrains the victim.
Players prefer Otiluke's Resilient Sphere over Maximilian's Earthen Grasp
Evard's Black Tentacles 4th-level conjuration
This higher-level spell also combines recurring bludgeoning damage with restraint across an area for the duration.
Players prefer Evard's Black Tentacles over Maximilian's Earthen Grasp
Levitate 2nd-level transmutation
Both use a sustained concentration effect and a saving throw to hinder a single enemy's movement and actions.
Players prefer Levitate over Maximilian's Earthen Grasp