What are the Effects of Slow 5e? A Comprehensive Guide
The Slow spell is a potent 3rd-level transmutation spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e) that can dramatically alter the course of a battle. Designed to hinder multiple enemies simultaneously, it introduces a suite of debilitating effects that can severely cripple a foe’s combat effectiveness. Let’s break down exactly what Slow does to its targets:
The core effect of Slow is to alter the time around up to six creatures within a 40-foot cube that you designate within the spell’s range. Each target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be affected for the spell’s duration (which is typically 1 minute with concentration). Upon failing this saving throw, a creature suffers the following penalties:
- Reduced Speed: The target’s speed is halved. This drastic reduction in movement significantly limits their ability to reach allies, flee danger, or maneuver effectively on the battlefield.
- AC and Dexterity Saving Throw Penalty: Affected creatures take a -2 penalty to their Armor Class (AC) and Dexterity saving throws. This makes them easier to hit with attacks and more vulnerable to spells and effects that require Dexterity saves.
- Loss of Reactions: The target cannot use reactions. This means they can’t make opportunity attacks, cast reaction spells, or utilize any other ability that requires a reaction.
- Limited Action Economy: On its turn, the affected creature can take either an action or a bonus action, but not both. This severely limits what they can accomplish on their turn, restricting their ability to use abilities such as bonus action attacks or cast multiple spells.
- Restricted Attacks: Regardless of the creature’s abilities or magic items, it can’t make more than one melee or ranged attack during its turn. This is particularly crippling for creatures with multiattack or other abilities that allow them to make multiple attacks.
In essence, the Slow spell turns aggressive, fast-moving foes into lumbering, vulnerable targets. Its area of effect and multiple penalties make it a versatile and effective crowd control option for many spellcasters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Slow 5e
To delve deeper into the nuances of the Slow spell, here are 15 frequently asked questions, addressing various aspects of its effects and interactions:
Does Slow Affect Legendary Actions?
No, Slow does not affect Legendary Actions. Legendary actions are special abilities that a creature has and are not subject to the restrictions imposed by Slow. Abilities like Tail attacks, Breath Weapons, and Frightful Presence are unaffected unless otherwise noted. Slow doesn’t prevent the creature from using non-action, bonus action or reaction legendary actions as well. However, if a legendary action is an attack, the normal attack restriction would apply.
Can You Remove the Effects of Slow?
Yes, the effects of Slow can be removed. The primary methods include:
- Breaking the caster’s concentration: If the caster who cast the spell takes damage and fails a concentration check or loses concentration for another reason, the spell ends immediately.
- Dispel Magic: The Dispel Magic spell can be cast on a slowed creature to remove the effect.
- Ending Concentration: If you accidentally cast Slow on an ally, the caster can end their own concentration on the spell on their turn, ending the effect early.
How Does Slow Interact with Haste?
Slow and Haste are somewhat opposite spells, creating interesting interactions. If a creature is affected by both spells simultaneously, the effects of Haste and Slow largely cancel each other out, with the following notable exception. The creature could use the action granted by haste to make a single extra attack, for a total of two attacks, because Slow limits the creature to one melee or ranged attack per turn and Haste gives one extra action.
Does Slow Prevent Multiattack?
Yes, the Slow spell explicitly prevents multiattack. The spell description states that regardless of a creature’s abilities, they can only make one melee or ranged attack per turn while affected. This makes Slow especially effective against monsters that rely on multiple attacks per round.
Does Slow Affect Reactions?
Yes, Slow completely nullifies reactions. An affected creature cannot make opportunity attacks, cast reaction spells, or use any other ability that requires a reaction, severely impacting their defensive and offensive capabilities.
Can a Stunned Enemy Take Legendary Actions?
No, a stunned enemy cannot take Legendary Actions. Stunned is a more debilitating condition than Slow, preventing a creature from taking any actions, including legendary and lair actions.
Is Slow a Good Spell Overall?
Yes, Slow is generally considered a very strong spell and is often rated as blue or excellent in many tier lists. It has a great range, targets multiple enemies, and applies multiple powerful debuffs, making it a highly versatile and valuable spell in most encounters.
Is Slow Better Than Haste?
The answer depends on the situation. Haste is excellent for buffing a single powerful ally against a single foe, while Slow is best used against groups of five or more enemies. Neither spell is particularly effective against spellcasters or ranged attackers, though Slow can somewhat limit the number of attacks ranged attackers can make.
What Classes Have Access to Slow?
Slow is primarily found on the spell lists of:
- Sorcerer
- Wizard
- Warlock
- Bard
- Clerics (Certain domains, such as Order)
- Artificer
This availability makes it a relatively common and versatile crowd control option.
Can Slow be Used to Control an Area?
While Slow does not directly control an area like a wall spell, its area of effect and debuffing properties make it excellent for controlling groups of enemies within a defined space. By slowing and weakening multiple targets, you can effectively funnel or contain enemies in a particular region.
How Does Slow Affect Movement and Positioning?
The halving of speed from Slow greatly affects positioning. Enemies cannot traverse large distances and can be easily cornered.
Can Slow Stack with Other Debuffs?
Yes, Slow‘s penalties can stack with other debuffs. For instance, a creature slowed and then further weakened by another spell or effect becomes an easier target. However, multiple instances of the Slow spell will not cause additional penalties, because of the rules for spells with the same name.
Does Slow Affect the Action Economy of Casters?
Yes, Slow dramatically affects the action economy of casters, as they can only choose between an action or a bonus action. This significantly reduces their ability to cast multiple spells in a turn or to use bonus action abilities while still using their action.
Is Slow Effective Against Boss Monsters?
Slow can be effective against boss monsters that rely heavily on melee attacks and mobility, particularly those with multiattack. However, it’s often less effective against bosses with legendary actions or strong saving throws, as its effectiveness is directly tied to the monster failing its saving throw.
Does Slow Affect Attacks Granted by Haste?
Yes, it does. A creature affected by both Haste and Slow would not be able to attack 4 times. It would be limited to 2 attacks in total. One from their action, one from the action granted by haste.
By understanding these effects and interactions, you can maximize the effectiveness of the Slow spell and use it to your advantage in your D&D 5e games. The Slow spell, when used properly, is a valuable asset in any adventuring party’s arsenal.