Vicious Mockery

A
Damage

Vicious Mockery is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

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 spell of biting insults that can
force a failed save

Vicious Mockery 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 →
 and leave one foe’s next attack faltering.

2024 Rules
Level & School
Enchantment cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Bard
Source
Player's Handbook (2024)

You unleash a string of insults laced with subtle enchantments at one creature you can see or hear within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d6 Psychic damage and have Disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn.

Cantrip Upgrade. The damage increases by 1d6 when you reach levels 5 (2d6), 11 (3d6), and 17 (4d6).

2014 Rules
Level & School
Enchantment cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Bard
Source
Player's Handbook (2014)

You unleash a string of insults laced with subtle enchantments at a creature you can see within range. If the target can hear you (though it need not understand you), it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d4 psychic damage and have disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn.

Cantrip Upgrade. This spell's damage increases by 1d4 when you reach 5th level (2d4), 11th level (3d4) and 17th level (4d4).

Vicious Mockery 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

It now deals 1d6 psychic damage instead of 1d4, and its scaling goes up as 2d6/3d6/4d6 instead of 2d4/3d4/4d4. The targeting is broader: you can choose a creature you can see or hear, rather than needing the target to be able to hear you.

Vicious Mockery popularity

How popular is Vicious Mockery? It is one of the most popular spells in the game, and is chosen above nearly all other options when available. This spell is an iconic D&D staple.

Read about how this popularity data is calculated.

Spells similar to Vicious Mockery

Vicious Mockery is featured in