Stinking Cloud
Level 3 · Conjuration
- Concentration
- Save
- AOE
A 3rd-level spell in the conjuration school, Stinking Cloud appears on the bard, sorcerer, and wizard lists. Cast time: Action. Range 90 feet, components V/S/M, duration up to 1 minute. Material: a rotten egg. Marked concentration. Effect: You create a 20-foot-radius Sphere of yellow, nauseating gas centered on a point within range.
Stat Block
- Level
- 3
- School
- Conjuration
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 90 feet (20-foot radius sphere)
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- up to 1 Minute
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Material
- a rotten egg
Description
You create a 20-foot-radius Sphere of yellow, nauseating gas centered on a point within range. The cloud is Heavily Obscured. The cloud lingers in the air for the duration or until a strong wind (such as the one created by Gust of Wind) disperses it. Each creature that starts its turn in the Sphere must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition until the end of the current turn. While Poisoned in this way, the creature can't take an action or a Bonus Action.
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
Conjuration handles every spell that brings something onto the battlefield that was not there a round ago, and every spell that removes the caster from one square and places them in another. Stinking Cloud sits among the Conjurations on the strength of the spell places matter or creatures into the world that were not there before the cast. Tier-2 play opens up 3rd-level slots regularly; Stinking Cloud fits the daily rotation.
Class Fit
- Bard: College of Lore Bards have the easiest case for Stinking Cloud: Magical Secrets means the class can reach outside the standard list to grab adjacent picks. Concentration is the binding cost — Stinking Cloud can't share a slot with another concentration spell.
- Sorcerer: Draconic, Wild Magic, Aberrant Mind, Clockwork Soul, and Lunar Sorcerers each get subclass-bonus spells. If Stinking Cloud is already on the bonus list, save the known-spell budget. The concentration tag on Stinking Cloud means a single failed Constitution save can end the effect mid-encounter.
- Wizard: At tier 1 Wizards have small prepared lists. Stinking Cloud earns its place by either being always-relevant (Shield, Mage Armor) or by being the right answer to a known problem. The 90-foot range on Stinking Cloud leaves room for the caster to stay in the back line.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Stinking Cloud
- What level spell is Stinking Cloud?
- Stinking Cloud sits at level 3 in the Conjuration school of magic, prepared by Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard.
- What save does Stinking Cloud require?
- Targets of Stinking Cloud make a Constitution saving throw against the caster's spell save DC. On a success, the spell's effect is reduced or negated; see the description for exact terms.
- What is the range of Stinking Cloud?
- Stinking Cloud has a range of 90 feet from the caster.
- Is Stinking Cloud a concentration spell?
- Concentration is required for Stinking Cloud, 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 Stinking Cloud need?
- To cast: the spell uses V, S, M components. Additionally, Material component: a rotten egg.