Silence

A
Control

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

See all Control spells →
 spell that creates
battlefield control

Silence is a Battlefield Shaping spell. Battlefield Shaping spells alter terrain, create obstacles, introduce hazards, and affect enemy positioning.

See all Battlefield Shaping spells →
 through absolute silence, muting voices and shutting down verbal magic.

2024 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level illusion
Casting Time
Action or Ritual
Range
120 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Concentration, up to 10 minutes
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Ranger

For the duration, no sound can be created within or pass through a 20-foot-radius Sphere centered on a point you choose within range. Any creature or object entirely inside the Sphere has Immunity to Thunder damage, and creatures have the Deafened condition while entirely inside it. Casting a spell that includes a Verbal component is impossible there.

2014 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level illusion
Casting Time
Action
Range
120 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Concentration, 10 minutes
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Ranger

For the duration, no sound can be created within or pass through a 20-foot radius sphere centered on a point you choose within range. Any creature or object entirely inside the sphere is immune to thunder damage, and creatures are deafened while entirely inside it. Casting a spell that includes a verbal component is impossible there.

Silence 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Silence now has the Ritual tag. Everything else works the same at the table.

Silence popularity

Silence is a commonly chosen level 2 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Silence

  • Blindness/Deafness 2nd-level transmutation

    It can impose the deafened condition like Silence does, and is a low-level, single-target way to remove a creature's hearing as a tactical control option.

  • Darkness 2nd-level evocation

    Creates a localized sensory-blocking sphere that shapes the battlefield and prevents certain actions tied to a sense, making it functionally similar to Silence for disrupting opponents.

  • Fog Cloud 1st-level conjuration

    A low-level area effect that obscures senses and controls space for up to a minute, commonly used for repositioning or negating enemy advantages like Silence does with sound.

  • Calm Emotions 2nd-level enchantment

    A two-level area control spell used to neutralize hostile behaviors and shape encounters, offering a non-damaging way to influence multiple creatures in combat.

  • Gust of Wind 2nd-level evocation

    Produces a persistent directional effect that alters movement and positioning in a wide area, serving a similar battlefield-shaping niche to Silence's quiet sphere.