Paralyzed
- A paralyzed creature is Incapacitated (see the condition) and can’t 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.
Causes
Common Causes: spells like Hold Person, Ghouls, Ghasts, Yetis, and Mages
Affected Groups
Why it matters to players: Automatic melee criticals with advantage while your opponent stares at you in frozen horror is, without exaggeration, an ideal situation. Watching them auto-fail Fireball saves is a close second though.
Except in rare cases, a caster will almost always set up one of their allies with this condition. You cast Hold Person on the guy that needs to die the most and seems like he’ll fail a Wisdom save, then let your teammates do the work. For higher-level Warlocks, being able to upcast this to level 3-5 on a Short Rest so you paralyze multiple targets just keeps the gravy train rolling.
Why it matters to DMs: Many of the monsters that use it are smarter than animals, but not exactly master tacticians. They are unlikely to be able to take full advantage of the effect as players will, but they are still smart enough to attack a creature while it’s on the back foot. Even with only that thinking, being paralyzed could still easily put a character into death saves or in the ground in a worst-case scenario.
Spellcasters like Liches, Archmages, and Aracanaloths are a whole different ball game. They are smart enough to exploit every advantage. Use it with them to your full creative potential.
If players need to understand this enemy is a serious threat, put this condition to work and they will never forget the encounter. This is a “put the fear of God in your players” kind of condition.
Why it matters to DMs: Many of the monsters that use it are smarter than animals, but not exactly master tacticians. They are unlikely to be able to take full advantage of the effect as players will, but they are still smart enough to attack a creature while it’s on the back foot. Even with only that thinking, being paralyzed could still easily put a character into death saves or in the ground in a worst-case scenario.
Spellcasters like Liches, Archmages, and Aracanaloths are a whole different ball game. They are smart enough to exploit every advantage. Use it with them to your full creative potential.
If players need to understand this enemy is a serious threat, put this condition to work and they will never forget the encounter. This is a “put the fear of God in your players” kind of condition.
https://halflinghobbies.com/every-condition-and-how-to-use-them-in-dd-5e/#Blinded
