Paralyzed 5e | D&D Mechanics Overview

Published on January 5, 2024, last updated on February 9, 2024

Explore the perilous effects of paralysis in D&D 5e, from combat to spellcasting, and learn tactical tips for dealing with this immobilization state.

Paralysis in D&D 5e

Paralysis is one of the deadliest conditions in D&D. Unlike the prone condition, which prevents you from attacking or moving but is easily cured, being paralyzed in D&D 5e leaves you frozen in place, defenseless, and at the mercy of your enemies.

What is a paralyzed state?

According to the base rules, paralysis in D&D 5e poses some significant drawbacks.

Paralyzed

A paralyzed creature is incapacitated and cannot move or speak. The creature 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 of the creature.

Appendix A: Conditions – Ground Rules

The Paralysis condition may be the worst condition you can inflict on a character in D&D 5e, as it essentially renders a creature defenseless.

First, they are incapacitated, meaning they cannot act or react.

Secondly, your inability to move or defend yourself makes you an easy target – any attack within 5 feet of you will be hit with advantage and will result in a critical hit, making you especially dangerous when facing a brutal, melee-oriented foe that seeks to exploit this weakness.

Finally, you are vulnerable to Strength and Dexterity saving throws, meaning you’re at the whims of creatures that may try to grapple you, bull rush you, or incinerate you with their breath weapons.

Unconsciousness and paralysis

Both conditions have similarities, such as advantage on attack rolls and the ability to score critical hits with close-range attacks, but there are also crucial differences.

Conscious: An unconscious character is unaware of his surroundings and cannot act or react. In contrast, a paralyzed character is fully aware of his surroundings and events happening around him, despite being unable to act. Posture: An unconscious character falls prone, which can affect friendly strategies and enemy attack plans. A paralyzed character remains in the posture they were in when they were paralyzed, but they are not necessarily prone. Duration and Recovery: Losing consciousness is often caused by hitting 0 hit points or being affected by certain spells, and can only be recovered by regaining hit points or waiting for the spell to end. Paralysis is usually caused by spells or monster abilities, and typically requires outside assistance in the form of a saving throw or spellcasting to come out of paralysis.

Paralysis-inducing effects

The Paralysis condition is difficult for player characters to apply to foes due to its debilitating effect – it gives advantage on attacks and automatically lands critical hits, making it easy to take down even the toughest foes – so PCs’ options for applying the condition are limited to holding people or monsters.

While the effect of hold person may seem powerful for a 2nd level spell, it is less impactful since it only affects humanoids. At 5th level, hold monster has the ability to paralyze any type of creature, but must compete with other powerful single-target debuffs such as banishment and polymorph.

Freedom from paralysis

The paralysis can be escaped by succeeding on a saving throw against the effect, but can also be avoided with outside assistance, such as an ally casting lesser restoration, freedom of movement, or power word heal.

Monster abilities that cause paralysis

In the diverse and dangerous world of D&D 5e, many monsters have the terrifying ability to paralyze their victims. This mechanic adds a thrilling and often dangerous element to encounters, forcing players to be vigilant and develop effective strategies. Here are some notable examples:

Beholder: One of the beholder’s many eye rays is a paralysis ray, and if the target fails a Constitution saving throw, they become paralyzed.

Scavenger: These giant insect-like creatures have tentacles that secrete a paralyzing poison. Attacks from these tentacles or failed Constitution saving throws can cause paralysis.

Ghouls: A ghoul’s claw attack can paralyze targets that fail a Constitution saving throw, which can make ghouls difficult to deal with for lower level parties who are often faced with a CR 1.

Poisonous Insects: Giant spiders, hornets, and centipedes all have paralyzing bites or stings that can paralyze a creature reduced to 0 hit points while poisoned. Think back to Frodo after his battle with Shelob in The Return of the King.