Dissonant Whispers 5e: Reactions and Opportunity Attacks

Dissonant Whispers is the bard spell I reach for when one failed save can reshape the whole melee. Its psychic damage is useful, but forcing a creature to spend its reaction and move away can open space, trigger opportunity attacks, and hand several allies a chance to respond.

Dissonant Whispers 5e — Quick Spell Reference

How Dissonant Whispers Works

Choose one creature within 60 feet. It makes a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 3d6 psychic damage and must immediately use its reaction, if available, to move as far as its speed allows away from the caster.

The target does not move into obviously dangerous ground, such as a fire or pit. On a successful save, it takes half damage and does not move. A deafened creature automatically succeeds on the 2014 saving throw.

Dissonant Whispers is instantaneous and does not require concentration. It has only a verbal component, so the caster does not need a free hand or material component.

Does the Movement Provoke Opportunity Attacks?

Yes. The target uses its own reaction to move. Under the 2014 rules, that is qualifying movement for opportunity attacks when it leaves a hostile creature’s reach and the other requirements are met.

This differs from a shove, pull, or similar forced movement that does not use the target’s movement, action, or reaction. Dissonant Whispers tells the creature to spend its reaction and move, so it can provoke normally.

Each nearby creature still needs an available reaction, must be able to see the target, and must meet the normal reach and hostility requirements. The movement does not grant free attacks by itself.

What If the Target Cannot Move?

The target moves only if its reaction is available. If it has already spent its reaction, it still takes damage on a failed save but does not move. The same is true if its speed is 0 or another effect prevents movement.

The spell does not make the creature frightened, and immunity to the frightened condition does not stop it. Immunity to psychic damage prevents the damage but does not automatically negate the movement; the Wisdom save and reaction clause still apply unless another rule says otherwise.

The target moves as far away as its speed allows using a route that avoids obviously dangerous ground. Difficult terrain and other movement costs reduce the distance it can cover. The spell does not require the target to take the Dash action.

Damage, Concentration, and Reactions

The spell’s psychic damage can force a target that is concentrating to make a normal concentration save. Damage from any resulting opportunity attacks can cause additional concentration saves because each separate source of damage is resolved normally.

Moving consumes the target’s reaction. Until that reaction refreshes, the target cannot use it for an opportunity attack, Shield, Counterspell, or another reaction feature. If it succeeds on the save, it does not spend its reaction.

An opportunity attack occurs on another creature’s turn, which can matter for features limited to once per turn rather than once per round. Each feature still follows its own trigger and eligibility rules.

Casting Dissonant Whispers at Higher Levels

Damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st:

Spell slot	Failed-save damage
1st	3d6 psychic
2nd	4d6 psychic
3rd	5d6 psychic
4th	6d6 psychic

Upcasting does not increase the range, add targets, or make the target move farther.

2014 vs. 2024 Rules

The 2024 version adds a requirement that the caster choose a creature they can see within range. The 2014 spell requires a creature within range but does not itself require sight.

The 2024 text also removes the 2014 rule that a deafened creature automatically succeeds on the save. It directs failed-save movement along the safest route, rather than saying only that the creature will not enter obviously dangerous ground. The spell’s level, action, range, damage, Wisdom save, reaction movement, and upcasting remain recognizable. The quick-reference table and main rulings above use the 2014 version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dissonant Whispers provoke opportunity attacks?

Yes. The failed-save movement uses the target’s reaction, so leaving a creature’s reach can provoke normally.

What if the target already used its reaction?

It takes the appropriate damage but does not move.

Can the spell force a creature into lava or off a cliff?

Not under the 2014 wording. The creature does not move into obviously dangerous ground.

What happens if the target is deafened?

Under the 2014 rules, it automatically succeeds, takes half damage, and does not move.