Compulsion
Level 4 · Enchantment
- Concentration
- Save
- Control
Compulsion occupies the enchantment school at level 4, available to bard. Cast time: Action. Range 30 feet, components V/S, duration up to 1 minute. Marked concentration. Effect: Each creature of your choice that you can see within range must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have the Charmed condition until the spell ends.
Stat Block
- Level
- 4
- School
- Enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 30 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- up to 1 Minute
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Bard
- Material
- —
Description
Each creature of your choice that you can see within range must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have the Charmed condition until the spell ends. For the duration, you can take a Bonus Action to designate a direction that is horizontal to you. Each Charmed target must use as much of its movement as possible to move in that direction on its next turn, taking the safest route. After moving in this way, a target repeats the save, ending the spell on itself on a success.
5e (2014) vs 2024 changes
This spell has both a 5e (2014) and 2024 Player's Handbook version. Doungim shows the current 2024 stat block above. Differences between editions typically affect components, range, or scaling — check both source books for the table.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
Enchantment magic is the great cheating school of the casters. Its spells reach where no martial weapon and no fireball can. Compulsion is Enchantment because the spell rewrites a sentient creature's intent or perception. At level 4, the slot economy tightens — Compulsion competes with the strongest spells in the band.
Class Fit
- Bard: Bards rely on Bardic Inspiration for most action-economy boosts; Compulsion matters when Inspiration isn't the right tool for the moment. At 30 feet, Compulsion stays usable from the caster's typical positioning.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Compulsion
- What level spell is Compulsion?
- Compulsion is a level 4 spell from the Enchantment school. The classes that can prepare it: Bard.
- What save does Compulsion require?
- Compulsion forces a Wisdom save. The DC is the caster's spell save DC (8 + proficiency + casting modifier).
- What is the range of Compulsion?
- From the caster's position, Compulsion reaches 30 feet.
- Is Compulsion a concentration spell?
- Yes — Compulsion requires concentration, lasting up to 1 minute. Casting another concentration spell ends this one; damage taken triggers a Constitution save (DC 10 or half the damage, whichever is higher) to maintain it.
- What components and casting time does Compulsion need?
- Compulsion requires V, S, on a standard one-action cast.