Dissonant Whispers
Level 1 · Enchantment
- Damage
- Save
Dissonant Whispers (bard) casts from a 1st-level slot in the enchantment school. Cast time: Action. Range 60 feet, components V, duration instantaneous. Effect: One creature of your choice that you can see within range hears a discordant melody in its mind. At higher levels: The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 1.
Stat Block
- Level
- 1
- School
- Enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 60 feet
- Components
- V
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Bard
- Material
- —
Description
One creature of your choice that you can see within range hears a discordant melody in its mind. The target makes a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 3d6 Psychic damage and must immediately use its Reaction, if available, to move as far away from you as it can, using the safest route. On a successful save, the target takes half as much damage only.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
Enchantment is the most narrative school. A held creature is interesting fiction; a charmed one is more interesting still. Dissonant Whispers reads as Enchantment because the spell rewrites a sentient creature's intent or perception. The 1st-level slot is the most-cast slot of tier 1 — Dissonant Whispers earns its place there or somewhere else.
Class Fit
- Bard: On a Bard sheet, Dissonant Whispers competes with Counterspell, Greater Invisibility, and Polymorph for known-spell budget. Pick it when those don't fit the day's planned arc. At higher spell-slot levels Dissonant Whispers grows — refer to the upcast clause for the exact terms.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Dissonant Whispers
- What level spell is Dissonant Whispers?
- Dissonant Whispers sits at level 1 in the Enchantment school of magic, prepared by Bard.
- How much damage does Dissonant Whispers deal?
- The damage roll on Dissonant Whispers is 3d6 of psychic damage at base. Upcast slots add to that figure.
- What save does Dissonant Whispers require?
- Dissonant Whispers forces a Wisdom save. The DC is the caster's spell save DC (8 + proficiency + casting modifier).
- What is the range of Dissonant Whispers?
- The range on Dissonant Whispers is 60 feet — far enough that most casters can stay clear of the front line.
- What components and casting time does Dissonant Whispers need?
- Dissonant whispers requires v; casting takes one Action.
- Can Dissonant Whispers be upcast?
- Dissonant Whispers scales when upcast: The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 1.