Synaptic Static
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 5th-level enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
You cause psychic energy to erupt at a point within range. Each creature in a 20-foot-radius Sphere centered on that point makes an Intelligence saving throw, taking 8d6 Psychic damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
On a failed save, a target also has muddled thoughts for 1 minute. During that time, it subtracts 1d6 from all its attack rolls and ability checks, as well as any Constitution saving throws to maintain Concentration. The target makes an Intelligence saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 5th-level enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything
You choose a point within range and cause psychic energy to explode there. Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make an Intelligence saving throw. A creature with an Intelligence score of 2 or lower can't be affected by this spell. A target takes 8d6 psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
After a failed save, a target has muddled thoughts for 1 minute. During that time, it rolls a d6 and subtracts the number rolled from all its attack rolls and ability checks, as well as its Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration. The target can make an Intelligence saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Synaptic Static 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
How popular is Synaptic Static in 5e?
Synaptic Static is the #6 most popular level 5 spell (of 68) and the #5 most picked level 5 Wizard spell (of 46).
Among level 5 spells, Synaptic Static ranks just below Scrying and just above Alustriel's Mooncloak in popularity.
- #235 (of 567) most popular 5e spell
- #6 (of 68) most popular level 5 spell
- #5 (of 46) most picked level 5 Wizard spell
- #2 (of 17) most picked level 5 Warlock spell
- #4 (of 20) most picked level 5 Sorcerer spell
- #5 (of 21) most picked level 5 Bard spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Synaptic Static
Chain Lightning 6th-level evocation
Both are long-range instantaneous spells that distribute substantial damage across several enemies.
Players prefer Chain Lightning over Synaptic Static
Weird 9th-level illusion
This higher-level enchantment likewise combines psychic damage with debilitating mental effects against multiple targets.
Players prefer Weird over Synaptic Static
Psychic Scream 9th-level enchantment
Its high-level psychic blast also hits multiple distant creatures at once, making it a stronger but closely related area attack.
Players prefer Psychic Scream over Synaptic Static
Doomtide 4th-level conjuration
Both use psychic energy against groups at long range, with the spell continuing to shape the fight after it is cast.
Players prefer Synaptic Static over Doomtide
Yolande's Regal Presence 5th-level enchantment
This is a same-level enchantment that deals psychic damage to multiple creatures while imposing an ongoing combat hindrance.
Players prefer Synaptic Static over Yolande's Regal Presence
Tasha's Mind Whip 2nd-level enchantment
The shared psychic damage and mental disruption make this a compact, lower-level version of the same tactical concept.
Players prefer Synaptic Static over Tasha's Mind Whip