What is the Freedom of Movement in Hold Person?
The concept of freedom of movement in the context of the spell hold person is directly tied to the paralyzed condition it imposes. Essentially, a creature affected by hold person has its freedom of movement severely restricted, as it is rendered paralyzed. This means that the creature cannot move, take actions, or reactions. However, it’s crucial to understand that while the creature’s ability to move itself is suppressed, it can still be moved by external forces. In short, the hold person spell actively removes the creature’s own agency over its movement, preventing it from moving under its own volition.
Understanding the Limitations of Hold Person
Hold person is a powerful crowd control spell that targets humanoids. The spell forces the targeted humanoid to make a Wisdom saving throw. If the save fails, the target becomes paralyzed for the duration of the spell. This state of paralysis is key to understanding the limitation on movement.
The Paralyzed Condition
The paralyzed condition is a debilitating state that specifically states a creature cannot move. Here’s what it entails:
- Immobility: A paralyzed creature cannot move under its own power. It cannot walk, run, swim, climb, or fly.
- Incapacitated: A creature that is paralyzed is also considered incapacitated, meaning it cannot take actions, reactions, or bonus actions. This includes any action that would cause movement, like taking the dash action.
- Vulnerability: Paralyzed creatures are significantly more vulnerable. Attack rolls against them have advantage, and they automatically fail Strength and Dexterity saving throws.
- Mental Awareness: Importantly, paralysis does not remove a creature’s awareness. A paralyzed target is still conscious and can perceive its surroundings, even though it cannot physically interact with them.
Movement Still Possible (But Not Self-Generated)
While a creature under the influence of hold person cannot move itself, it can be moved by other means. These include:
- Being Pushed or Pulled: If another creature attempts to push, pull, or drag a paralyzed humanoid, it can be moved.
- Environmental Factors: Things like being carried by a river, blown by strong winds, or falling down a slope can affect a paralyzed creature’s location.
- Teleportation or Magical Movement: Spells or effects that can move creatures can relocate a paralyzed individual as well.
How Freedom of Movement Counteracts Hold Person
The spell freedom of movement directly counters the limitations of hold person. This spell provides the following key benefits:
- Negation of Movement Impairments: Freedom of movement enables the creature to move and attack normally, even under the influence of magical effects that would usually impede movement. This includes paralysis caused by spells like hold person.
- Automatic Success Against Grapples: Any attempts to grapple the protected target automatically fail, preventing it from being physically held down.
By casting freedom of movement in advance or during an encounter, a creature can ignore the paralyzing effects of hold person and retain full control over its own movement, escaping the limitations it would otherwise be subjected to.
Importance of Timing
While freedom of movement is powerful, timing is critical. If hold person is cast first, then the character becomes paralyzed first. A paralyzed character cannot cast freedom of movement. For freedom of movement to be effective, it must be cast on the target before the hold person takes effect, or be cast by a separate source, such as an ally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Hold Person work on all creatures?
No, hold person only affects humanoid creatures. It does not work on other creature types, such as giants, fey, undead, or monstrosities.
2. Can you attack a paralyzed creature?
Yes, attacks against a paralyzed creature have advantage. Additionally, the paralyzed creature automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saving throws, making them incredibly vulnerable.
3. What is the difference between charm person and hold person?
Charm person makes a humanoid friendly towards the caster, while hold person paralyzes them. The former is about manipulation, while the latter is about incapacitation.
4. Does being paralyzed break concentration?
Yes, a paralyzed creature is also considered incapacitated. The incapacitated condition specifically states that it ends concentration. So yes, paralyzation breaks concentration.
5. Can you take bonus actions while incapacitated?
No, the incapacitated condition prevents a character from taking actions, reactions, or bonus actions.
6. Can you be moved while paralyzed?
Yes, although a paralyzed creature cannot move itself, it can be moved by external forces such as being pushed, pulled, or by environmental effects.
7. Can you grapple a target under the influence of freedom of movement?
No, all combat maneuver checks to grapple a target under freedom of movement automatically fail.
8. Does Hold Person work on Goblins?
Yes, goblins are considered humanoid creatures, making them vulnerable to hold person.
9. Can Hold Person be used on a Werewolf?
Yes, a werewolf in its humanoid form is a valid target for hold person.
10. What happens if a character is incapacitated?
An incapacitated character cannot take actions, reactions, or bonus actions. This also means it can not take any action that might move the character.
11. What types of creatures are immune to Hold Person?
Creatures of the Undead, Giant, Monstrosity, Fey, Celestial, and Fiend types are generally immune to hold person. Only Humanoids are affected.
12. Can Freedom of Movement protect against other spells?
Yes, freedom of movement protects against any magic that impedes movement, including paralysis, solid fog, slow, and web.
13. Is Freedom of Movement a constitutional right in real life?
Yes, freedom of movement is recognized as a fundamental constitutional right in many countries, including the right to move within a country and to leave and re-enter it.
14. Does Hold Person work on a Lizardfolk?
Yes, a Lizardfolk is considered a humanoid, making them a viable target for hold person.
15. What does “incapacitated” mean legally?
Legally, being incapacitated means a person is unable to handle their personal and financial affairs and cannot create legally binding documents.
Understanding the interplay between hold person and freedom of movement is vital for players and game masters alike. While hold person provides a potent method for removing an enemy from action, freedom of movement offers a robust defense against it. Mastery of these spells and their effects can significantly impact the flow and outcome of any encounter.