Befuddlement
Level 8 · Enchantment
- Damage
- Save
Befuddlement occupies the enchantment school at level 8, available to bard, druid, warlock, and wizard. Cast time: Action. Range 150 feet, components V/S/M, duration instantaneous. Material: a key ring with no keys. Effect: You blast the mind of a creature that you can see within range.
Stat Block
- Level
- 8
- School
- Enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 150 feet
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Bard, Druid, Warlock, Wizard
- Material
- a key ring with no keys
Description
You blast the mind of a creature that you can see within range. The target makes an Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 10d12 Psychic damage and can't cast spells or take the Magic action. At the end of every 30 days, the target repeats the save, ending the effect on a success. The effect can also be ended by the Greater Restoration, Heal, or Wish spell. On a successful save, the target takes half as much damage only.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
Enchantment spells touch the place behind the eyes. They cannot move a target's body if the target has no body to move — which is why so many bypass undead and constructs. The school tag on Befuddlement is earned by the target it actually affects — the spell rewrites a sentient creature's intent or perception. At level 8, the slot itself is part of the spell — Befuddlement is meant to feel like a big moment.
Class Fit
- Bard: A Bard prepares Befuddlement from the known list, which means it stays on the sheet for several levels of play before retraining is an option. The 150-foot range on Befuddlement leaves room for the caster to stay in the back line.
- Druid: Druids consider Befuddlement against the Wild Shape baseline — every spell cast is a turn not spent transforming. At 150 feet, Befuddlement stays usable from the caster's typical positioning.
- Warlock: Eldritch Blast is the Warlock's default action. Befuddlement only competes with Eldritch Blast if it does more than scale-damage to one target. Befuddlement reaches 150 feet, which lets the caster stay clear of the front line.
- Wizard: On a Wizard sheet, Befuddlement competes for prep slot with Misty Step, Counterspell, Shield (a Reaction always worth prepping), Fireball, Polymorph, and the higher-tier wall and force spells. At 150 feet, Befuddlement stays usable from the caster's typical positioning.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Befuddlement
- What level spell is Befuddlement?
- Befuddlement sits at level 8 in the Enchantment school of magic, prepared by Bard, Druid, Warlock, Wizard.
- How much damage does Befuddlement deal?
- Befuddlement deals 10d12 psychic damage as its base effect.
- What save does Befuddlement require?
- Befuddlement calls for a Intelligence save against the caster's DC. Success conditions are described in the spell text.
- What is the range of Befuddlement?
- The range on Befuddlement is 150 feet — far enough that most casters can stay clear of the front line.
- What components and casting time does Befuddlement need?
- The cast needs v, s, m. The other notable details — Material component: a key ring with no keys.