Slow
Level 3 · Transmutation
- Concentration
- Save
- AOE
Slow is a transmutation spell at level 3, sitting on the bard, sorcerer, and wizard lists. Cast time: Action. Range 120 feet, components V/S/M, duration up to 1 minute. Material: a drop of molasses. Marked concentration. Effect: You alter time around up to six creatures of your choice in a 40- foot Cube within range.
Stat Block
- Level
- 3
- School
- Transmutation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- up to 1 Minute
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Material
- a drop of molasses
Description
You alter time around up to six creatures of your choice in a 40- foot Cube within range. Each target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be affected by this spell for the duration. An affected target's Speed is halved, it takes a −2 penalty to AC and Dexterity saving throws, and it can't take Reactions. On its turns, it can take either an action or a Bonus Action, not both, and it can make only one attack if it takes the Attack action. If it casts a spell with a Somatic component, there is a 25 percent chance the spell fails as a result of the target making the spell's gestures too slowly. An affected target repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, 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
The school of Transmutation is the engineer's school. Change the conditions, change the outcome of the fight. The school tag on Slow is earned by the spell rewrites a property of a body, an object, or terrain. At level 3, Slow sits in the mid-tier slot competition.
Class Fit
- Bard: Bards rely on Bardic Inspiration for most action-economy boosts; Slow matters when Inspiration isn't the right tool for the moment. Note that Slow requires concentration; switching to a second concentration spell ends it.
- Sorcerer: Quicken Spell turns an Action into a Bonus Action; if Slow costs an Action, Quicken opens a two-spell turn. Concentration is the binding cost — Slow can't share a slot with another concentration spell.
- Wizard: The Wizard's daily prep list is the class's flexibility lever — every long rest is a chance to reconsider what Slow is doing on the sheet. The concentration tag on Slow means a single failed Constitution save can end the effect mid-encounter.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Slow
- What level spell is Slow?
- In D&D 5e, Slow is classified as a level 3 spell of the Transmutation school. Available classes: Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard.
- What save does Slow require?
- Slow calls for a Wisdom save against the caster's DC. Success conditions are described in the spell text.
- What is the range of Slow?
- From the caster's position, Slow reaches 120 feet.
- Is Slow a concentration spell?
- Slow runs on concentration for up to 1 minute. The caster can drop it on their next turn or lose it to a failed save after taking damage.
- What components and casting time does Slow need?
- The spell uses v, s, m components. The other notable details — Material component: a drop of molasses.