Stinking Cloud

A
Control

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

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 spell that fills the area with nauseating gas,
hitting multiple creatures

Stinking Cloud 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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 and
shaping the battlefield

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

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.

2024 Rules
Level & School
3rd-level conjuration
Casting Time
Action
Range
90 feet
Components
V, S, M (a rotten egg)
Duration
Concentration, 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
Source
Player's Handbook (2024)

You create a 20-foot-radius Sphere of yellow, nauseating gas centered on a point within range. The cloud is Heavily Obscured. The cloud lingers in the air for the duration or until a strong wind (such as the one created by Gust of Wind) disperses it.

Each creature that starts its turn in the Sphere must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition until the end of the current turn. While Poisoned in this way, the creature can't take an action or a Bonus Action.

2014 Rules
Level & School
3rd-level conjuration
Casting Time
Action
Range
90 feet
Components
V, S, M (a rotten egg or several skunk cabbage leaves)
Duration
Concentration, 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
Source
Player's Handbook (2014)

You create a 20-foot-radius sphere of yellow, nauseating gas centered on a point within range. The cloud spreads around corners, and its area is heavily obscured. The cloud lingers in the air for the duration.

Each creature that is completely within the cloud at the start of its turn must make a Constitution saving throw against poison. On a failed save, the creature spends its action that turn retching and reeling. Creatures that don't need to breathe or are immune to poison automatically succeed on this saving throw.

A moderate wind (at least 10 miles per hour) disperses the cloud after 4 rounds. A strong wind (at least 20 miles per hour) disperses it after 1 round.

Stinking Cloud 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The save now happens when a creature starts its turn in the sphere, not only if it’s completely within it. On a failed save, it becomes Poisoned until the end of that turn and can’t take an Action or Bonus Action, instead of just losing its Action. Moderate wind no longer disperses it; only a strong wind does.

Stinking Cloud popularity

How popular is Stinking Cloud? It is a commonly found spell in the game, but is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may be situational for many spellbooks.

Read about how this popularity data is calculated.

Spells similar to Stinking Cloud