Edition note: This guide targets 2014 5E (legacy PHB-style rules). If your table uses the 2024 Player's Handbook, confirm wording, class lists, and any renamed features before locking a build.
Blindness/Deafness is the rare combat debuff that doesn’t need concentration. Fail a Constitution save and a creature is blinded or deafened for a minute — with repeat saves at the end of each of its turns.
This Blindness/Deafness 5E guide covers target choice, upcasting, and when to pick something else.
- Spell Level
- 2nd
- Spell Type
- Necromancy
- Casting Time
- 1 Action
- Range
- 30 feet
- Component Requirements
- Verbal
- Duration
- 1 minute
- Class
- Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, Wizard
- At Higher Levels
- +1 creature per slot level above 2nd
How does Blindness/Deafness work?
You can blind or deafen a foe. Choose one creature you can see within range. It must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failure, it’s either blinded or deafened (your choice) for the duration. At the end of each of its turns, it can repeat the save; on a success, the spell ends.
When you cast with a higher slot, you can target one additional creature for each slot above 2nd.
Why Blindness is the usual pick
Blinded creatures:
- Automatically fail sight-based checks
- Have disadvantage on attack rolls
- Attack rolls against them have advantage
Deafened is situational (alarms, thunder-sensitive monsters, verbal-coordination fluff) but Blindness is the combat default.
Blindness vs Faerie Fire
| Spell | Concentration | Party enable |
|---|---|---|
| Blindness/Deafness | No | Advantage vs that target |
| Faerie Fire | Yes | Advantage vs failed saves in a cube |
Faerie Fire can light up a pack. Blindness is the single-target (or upcast multi-target) pick that leaves your concentration free for Web, Haste, or Hypnotic Pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Blindness stop spellcasting?
Not by itself — many spells don’t require sight. It wrecks attack rolls and sight targeting.
Can constructs / undead be blinded?
If they aren’t immune to the blinded condition, yes. Always check immunities.
Verbal only — can I cast it bound?
If you can speak, yes. Great when your hands are full or you’re grappled.
