D&D 5e Conditions Guide: All 14 Status Effects Explained
Conditions alter a creature's capabilities in tactical combat. Whether a spellcaster is Blinded by darkness, a barbarian is Stunned by a mind flayer, or a monster is Paralyzed by Hold Monster, understanding these mechanics keeps your session moving with zero rulebook flipping.
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The 14 Official 5e Conditions
Blinded
- Can't see and automatically fails any ability check requiring sight.
- Attack rolls against the creature have Advantage.
- The creature's attack rolls have Disadvantage.
Charmed
- Can't attack the charmer or target the charmer with harmful abilities or magical effects.
- The charmer has Advantage on social ability checks interacting with the creature.
Deafened
- Can't hear and automatically fails any ability check requiring hearing.
- Does not prevent spellcasting unless a spell specifically requires verbal feedback.
Frightened
- Has Disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls while the source of fear is within line of sight.
- Can't willingly move closer to the source of fear.
Grappled
- Speed becomes 0 and can't benefit from any bonuses to speed.
- Condition ends if the grappler is Incapacitated or moved away via Thunderwave or Shove.
Incapacitated
- Can't take Actions or Reactions.
- Acts as the baseline requirement for Stunned, Paralyzed, and Unconscious.
Invisible
- Impossible to see without magic or special senses. Heavily obscured for stealth purposes.
- Attack rolls against the creature have Disadvantage.
- The creature's attack rolls have Advantage.
Paralyzed (Deadliest)
- Incapacitated and can't move or speak.
- Automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saving throws.
- Attack rolls against the creature have Advantage.
- Any attack that hits the creature is a Critical Hit if the attacker is within 5 feet.
Petrified
- Transformed into solid stone. Weight increases tenfold and ceases aging.
- Incapacitated, can't move or speak, unaware of surroundings.
- Resistance to all damage; immune to poison and disease.
Poisoned
- Has Disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.
- One of the most common combat conditions; countered by Lesser Restoration.
Prone
- Only movement option is crawling (costs 1 extra foot per foot moved).
- Standing up costs half of total movement speed.
- Creature has Disadvantage on attack rolls.
- Attacks against the creature have Advantage if within 5 feet; otherwise Disadvantage.
Restrained
- Speed becomes 0 and can't benefit from speed bonuses.
- Attack rolls against the creature have Advantage; creature's attacks have Disadvantage.
- Disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.
Stunned
- Incapacitated, can't move, and can speak only falteringly.
- Automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saving throws.
- Attack rolls against the creature have Advantage.
Unconscious
- Incapacitated, can't move or speak, unaware of surroundings.
- Drops whatever holding and falls Prone. Automatically fails STR and DEX saves.
- Attacks have Advantage, and hits within 5 feet are automatic Critical Hits.
The 6 Cumulative Levels of Exhaustion
| Level | Combat Effect |
|---|---|
| 1 | Disadvantage on ability checks |
| 2 | Speed halved |
| 3 | Disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws |
| 4 | Hit point maximum halved |
| 5 | Speed reduced to 0 |
| 6 | Instant death |
5e Condition Rules FAQ
Official rules guidance and quick answers from the System Reference Document 5.1.
What is the difference between Incapacitated, Stunned, and Paralyzed?
Incapacitated is the base condition: you can't take actions or reactions. Stunned includes Incapacitated PLUS you can't move, can only speak falteringly, automatically fail STR and DEX saves, and attackers have Advantage. Paralyzed includes everything from Stunned PLUS any attack that hits you from within 5 feet is an automatic Critical Hit.
Does Invisibility grant advantage on attack rolls in 5e?
Yes. An invisible creature is impossible to see without magical senses. Attack rolls against the creature have Disadvantage, and the creature's attack rolls have Advantage.
How do you recover from Exhaustion in 5e?
Finishing a Long Rest reduces a creature's exhaustion level by 1, provided that the creature has ingested food and drink. Higher exhaustion levels can also be removed by spells like Greater Restoration.