Tasha's Hideous Laughter

A
Control

Tasha's Hideous Laughter is a Control spell. Control spells restrict enemy options through debuffs or denial effects.

See all Control spells →
 spell that can leave one foe laughing, prone, and helpless, with
multiple foes

Tasha's Hideous Laughter is a Multi Target spell. Multi Target spells have an area of effect or can explicitly target multiple allies or enemies.

See all Multi Target spells →
 at higher levels and a
save-or-lose

Tasha's Hideous Laughter 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 →
 effect.

2024 Rules
Level & School
1st-level enchantment
Casting Time
Action
Range
30 feet
Components
V, S, M (a tart and a feather)
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Warlock, Wizard

One creature of your choice that you can see within range makes a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it has the Prone and Incapacitated conditions for the duration. During that time, it laughs uncontrollably if it's capable of laughter, and it can't end the Prone condition on it self.

At the end of each of its turns and each time it takes damage, it makes another Wisdom saving throw. The target has Advantage on the save if the save is triggered by damage. On a successful save, the spell ends.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. You can target one additional creature for each spell slot level about 1.

2014 Rules
Level & School
1st-level enchantment
Casting Time
Action
Range
30 feet
Components
V, S, M (tiny tarts and a feather that is waved in the air)
Duration
Concentration, 1 minute
Classes
Bard, Wizard

A creature of your choice that you can see within range perceives everything as hilariously funny and falls into fits of laughter if this spell affects it. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or fall prone, becoming incapacitated and unable to stand up for the duration. A creature with an Intelligence score of 4 or less isn't affected.

At the end of each of its turns, and each time it takes damage, the target can make another Wisdom saving throw. The target has advantage on the saving throw if it's triggered by damage. On a success, the spell ends.

Tasha's Hideous Laughter 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

2024 adds an upcast: each slot level above 1 lets you target one extra creature. It also adds Warlock to the class list.

Tasha's Hideous Laughter popularity

Tasha's Hideous Laughter is a commonly chosen level 1 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Tasha's Hideous Laughter

  • Bane 1st-level enchantment

    A 1st-level enchantment that forces multiple targets to make repeated saves and weakens them for up to a minute, so it fills a very similar control niche at the same level.

  • Sleep 1st-level enchantment

    This is another 1st-level enchantment that removes creatures from the fight for a short duration and is commonly chosen for its strong battlefield control early on.

  • Charm Person 1st-level enchantment

    A 1st-level enchantment that targets a single creature to alter its behavior for a prolonged time, making it a close analogue in school, class list, and tactical intent.

  • Dissonant Whispers 1st-level enchantment

    Also a 1st-level enchantment used to debilitate a single foe immediately and shape enemy positioning and actions, so players often pick between these for control effects.

  • Command 1st-level enchantment

    A low-level enchantment that imposes a short-term forced action on one creature, offering a similar single-target, control-first option for turning the tide of an encounter.