Hold Person 5E [Does Hold Person Make You Lose Concentration?]

Are you absorbed in the world of Dungeons and Dragons, constantly seeking the next strategic advantage? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re going to unpack one of the game’s most captivating spells – Hold Person 5E.

This spell has been around for ages, and there’s a good reason why it’s so popular among players. You might be intrigued by this enchantment but are a little unsure about how best to use it or what it all entails. Keep reading for everything you need to know, from the basics of spell casting to how you can use Hold Person 5E like a pro.

Hold Person 5E Attributes

PROPERTY	VALUE
LEVEL	2nd
CASTING TIME	1 Action
RANGE/AREA	60 ft
COMPONENTS	V, S, M *
DURATION	Concentration 1 Minute
SCHOOL	Enchantment
ATTACK/SAVE	WIS Save
DAMAGE/EFFECT	Paralyzed

What is Hold Person 5E?

Hold Person 5E is a second-level enchantment spell in the popular tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons.

When cast, it allows players to paralyze a humanoid character they can see within range.

The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed for the spell’s duration (up to one minute). From each of their turns, and each time they take damage, the affected humanoid makes a new wisdom saving throw.

The paralysis ends on a successful save. Hold Person 5E has potential use in both combat situations and general gameplay.

How can you get the Hold Person 5E spell?

When it comes to the enchantment spell Hold Person 5E, its access is not particularly restrictive. Several classes can acquire this extremely useful spell during their D&D journey. Varying platforms have separate routes of acquiring it, so it’s handy to know how it can be obtained specific to your class.

• Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard classes: In Dungeons & Dragons 5E, these character classes have immediate access to Hold Person as they level up. By reaching a certain level in these classes, a player selects new spells to add to their roster, and Hold Person is listed as a viable option.
• Arcane Trickster: These rogues use illusions and enchantments for their very nature of cunning expertise. Upon reaching the required level progression in this subclass of Rogue (3rd level), Arcane Tricksters can choose this paralyzing spell as part of their repertoire.
• Eldritch Knight: This Fighter subclass employs magical techniques, and when Eldritch Knights reach their third level, they gain limited capacity for wizard spells such as Hold Person.
• Circle of the Land – Arctic option: Druids who choose the Circle of the Land class also select a particular type of terrain that they are specially connected to. Choosing ‘Arctic’ gives the player access to additional spells linked with their preferred landscape, one of these being our subject spell.
• Oath options for Paladins: Paladins who adopt either an Oath of Conquest or Oath of Vengeance at the 3rd level or an Oath of Redemption at the 9th level also gain access to Hold Person 5E because it falls within the list of Oath Spells related to those vows.
• Order Domain: Clerics focused on Order have Hold Person as one of their domain spells, which means it’s always prepared for the battles ahead and doesn’t count against the number of spells a cleric can prepare each day.
• Four Elements: Monks following the Way of the Four Elements harness mystical energy in their martial arts. Hold Person is specifically available at around the 3rd level under the feature Shape The Flowing River.
• Adept of the Black Robes: This is a prestigious title acquired by spellcasters who prove themselves to an order known as The Black Robes. Upon joining this esteemed order, they acquire numerous abilities and spells, including Hold Person 5E.

Each class has its unique ways to obtain Hold Person 5E. The path you take will largely depend on your priority and strategy within the immense world of Dungeons & Dragons.

Not only does having this spell equip you with powerful crowd-control ability, but it can also be utilized to neutralize potential threats, making your D&D adventure even more exciting.

Also Read: Disguise Self 5E [How To Use Disguise Self In DnD] 2024

Is Hold Person 5E a good spell?

Yes, It can significantly change the course of an encounter, mainly if used strategically.

This spell can paralyze one humanoid that you can see within range, leaving it incapacitated during its duration.

This grants you and your party an advantage, enabling critical hits on attacks and preventing the enemy from taking any action.

It’s particularly effective in combat situations against NPCs or foes with low Wisdom saving throws. Keep in mind it only works on humanoid targets, and others may resist its effect.

How does the Hold Person Spell work in the D&D 5E game?

When you decide to use the Hold Person spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, there are specific steps that determine its functionality. Here’s how it works:

• Choose Your Target: The first thing you need to do is identify a humanoid target within your line of sight and range, which is up to 60 feet for this spell. Note that Hold Person only works on humanoids – creatures such as beasts, dragons, and undead are unaffected.
• Cast the Spell: Use your action during your turn to cast Hold Person. The spell has a casting time of one action, uses one spell slot of 2nd level or higher (the spell’s effect will apply to an additional humanoid for each slot level above 2nd), and requires verbal and somatic components.
• Wisdom Saving Throw: After successfully casting the spell, your target must make a Wisdom saving throw against your Spell Save DC (which is determined by your class and ability scores). If your target succeeds on this saving throw, they resist the effects of the spell.
• Paralyzed Effect: If the Wisdom saving throw is unsuccessful, the target becomes paralyzed for up to a minute (as long as you maintain concentration on this spell). A paralyzed creature can’t move or speak and automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saving throws during this time.
• Breaking Free: While under the effects of the spell, at every turn end or after being damaged, the affected humanoid can attempt another Wisdom saving throw. Should they succeed on this new saving throw, they immediately shake off their paralysis — ending the spell effect.
• Advantageous Attack: Any attack roll against a paralyzed character has an advantage – increasing chances for you or an ally to hit them successfully — if within 5 feet range from it, makes it vulnerable to critical hits.

Using the Hold Person spell can indefinitely tip the scales in an encounter, reducing threats and setting your team up for strategic actions. As a caster, be aware of its limitations and consider your enemies’ traits for it to work effectively.

Who Can I Target With Hold Person 5E?

In your adventuring through vibrant realms of Dungeons & Dragons, you’re bound to meet diverse entities, some friendlier than others; you may wonder, can that goblin chief or orc warlord fall prey to my enchanting prowess with the Hold Person spell?

The short answer is yes if they happen to be humanoid. The strength of the Hold Person spell lies in limiting the actions of humanoids within your campaign.

While the target list is extensive, here are a few commonly encountered humanoid creatures that you can use Hold Person 5E against:

• Orcs: Infamous for their barbaric nature and ferocity in combat, taking an enemy orc out of the equation can often turn the tide.
• Goblins: These creatures are typically weaker but troublesome, especially in large numbers. Controlling one could help minimize chaos.
• Hobgoblins: Known for their discipline and military tactics, hobgoblins under paralysis can disrupt an organized assault.
• Bugbears: These large goblinoids possess formidable strength; freezing one in place could save your party from potentially devastating blows.
• Kobolds: Often underestimated due to their small size and perceived cowardice, kobolds can be crafty foes. Hold person is effective in keeping their tricks at bay.

Remember that although these creatures are fair game for this spell, players must maintain their line of sight and remain within range for it to succeed. Also, consider potential Wisdom saving throws from these creatures; a wise enemy might thwart the spell’s effects.

Also Read: Healing Word 5E [Is Healing Word Better Than Cure Wounds?]

Rules of the Hold Person 5E

When utilizing the Hold Person spell, it’s essential to be familiar with its rules within the game of Dungeons & Dragons.

This will ensure you achieve the greatest strategic advantage while staying within the confines of gameplay. Here’s a breakdown of the key rules:

• Targeting: Hold Person only applies to one humanoid that you can see within a range of up to 60 feet.
• Wisdom Save: The target must make a Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed by your spell. Your Spell Save DC, which depends on your character class and ability scores, will determine how challenging this save is for your target.
• Concentration: The duration of Hold Person is “Concentration, up to 1 minute”. This means that during this time, if you cast another concentration spell, get incapacitated, or fail a constitution saving throw due to taking damage, the effects of holding a person will immediately end.
• Paralysis Effects: While paralyzed, a creature is incapacitated (can’t take actions or reactions) and can’t move or speak. Attack rolls against them have an advantage, and any attack that hits the paralyzed creature is a critical hit if the attacker is within 5 feet.
• Breaking Free: At each turn ending or after being damaged, the afflicted humanoid can redo their Wisdom saving throw and, on success, end their paralysis.
• Spell Slot Utilization: When you use a slot level above a second to cast Hold Person, one additional humanoid can be affected for each slot level above the second.

FAQs about Hold Person 5E