Hypnotic Pattern
Level 3 · Illusion
- Concentration
- Save
- AOE
- Control
Hypnotic Pattern (bard, sorcerer, warlock, and wizard) casts from a 3rd-level slot in the illusion school. Cast time: Action. Range 120 feet, components S/M, duration up to 1 minute. Material: a pinch of confetti. Marked concentration. Effect: You create a twisting pattern of colors in a 30-foot Cube within range.
Stat Block
- Level
- 3
- School
- Illusion
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 120 feet (30-foot cube)
- Components
- S, M
- Duration
- up to 1 Minute
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Material
- a pinch of confetti
Description
You create a twisting pattern of colors in a 30-foot Cube within range. The pattern appears for a moment and vanishes. Each creature in the area who can see the pattern must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have the Charmed condition for the duration. While Charmed, the creature has the Incapacitated condition and a Speed of 0. The spell ends for an affected creature if it takes any damage or if someone else uses an action to shake the creature out of its stupor.
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
Hypnotic Pattern is Illusion — the school of false perception. The spell creates a swirling 30-foot-cube pattern of swirling colors in midair; creatures inside who fail a Wis save are charmed, incapacitated, and have a speed of 0 for up to a minute. The illusion is real for the targets even though it has no physical effect; that gap between perception and reality is what defines the school.
Class Fit
- Bard: Bards prep Hypnotic Pattern as the canonical 3rd-level lockdown. A 30-foot cube is enough geometry to catch most of an enemy team. The 'until damaged' duration means careful party play (using ranged damage outside the cube, focusing fire on one target at a time) can keep the rest of the encounter locked down for the full minute.
- Sorcerer: Sorcerers know very few spells. Hypnotic Pattern is a permanent decision — the spell stays on the sheet unless the Sorcerer pays a level-up swap. Hypnotic Pattern's concentration requirement makes it vulnerable to a single failed save when the caster takes damage.
- Warlock: Hexblade, Fiend, Genie, Archfey, Great Old One, Celestial, Undying, and Undead patrons each grant bonus spells. Check whether Hypnotic Pattern is on the patron list before spending a known slot. Concentration on Hypnotic Pattern forces the caster to choose between this spell and the next big concentration play.
- Wizard: Hypnotic Pattern is one of the canonical 'tier-2 ender' spells for Wizards. Illusion Wizards specifically get features that scale Hypnotic Pattern, but every Wizard build benefits from preparing it for the encounters where a single-room lockdown wins the fight.
Tactical play (Doungim editorial)
Hypnotic Pattern wins almost every tier-2 multi-enemy fight on round 1. Wisdom save vs your spell DC; failed creatures are charmed and incapacitated for a minute or until they take damage. Cast it before your party attacks; the first attack on a charmed enemy breaks the charm but the rest stay locked. Don't cast it on enemies you want to kill quickly — incapacitated enemies are still alive and the fight isn't over.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Hypnotic Pattern
- What level spell is Hypnotic Pattern?
- In D&D 5e, Hypnotic Pattern is classified as a level 3 spell of the Illusion school. Available classes: Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard.
- What save does Hypnotic Pattern require?
- Hypnotic Pattern calls for a Wisdom save against the caster's DC. Success conditions are described in the spell text.
- What is the range of Hypnotic Pattern?
- Hypnotic Pattern can target a point or creature within 120 feet of the caster.
- Is Hypnotic Pattern a concentration spell?
- Concentration is required for Hypnotic Pattern, with a maximum duration up to 1 minute. The concentration rules apply: one at a time, and Con saves on damage.
- What components and casting time does Hypnotic Pattern need?
- the spell uses S, M components. Material component: a pinch of confetti.