Crown of Madness 5e - D&D 5th Edition Spell Book
Crown of Madness 5e Spell Effects
2nd-level enchantment
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
One humanoid of your choice that you can see within range must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become charmed by you for the duration. While the target is charmed in this way, a twisted crown of jagged iron appears on its head, and a madness glows in its eyes.
The charmed target must use its action before moving on each of its turns to make a melee attack against a creature other than itself that you mentally choose.
The target can act normally on its turn if you choose no creature or if none are within its reach.
On your subsequent turns, you must use your action to maintain control over the target, or the spell ends. Also, the target can make a Wisdom saving throw at the end of each of its turns. On a success, the spell ends.
All information about Crown of Madness 5e comes from the DnD Player's Handbook.
Classes That Can Cast Crown of Madness 5e
The following classes gain access to casting Acid Splash 5e as part of their normal class spell availability:
- Bard
- Sorcerer
- Warlock
- Wizard
Crown of Madness Spell Effectiveness
| Damage | 3rd-Level | 5th-Level | 7th-Level | 9th-Level | 11th-Level | 13th-Level | 15th-Level | 17th-Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Fighter DPR | 15 | 19 | 23 | 27 | 30.5 | 34 | 37.5 | 41 |
| Total Value | 30 | 38 | 46 | 54 | 61 | 68 | 75 | 82 |
Table Values
In the table above, "DPR" indicates damage per round, in this case, not accounting for hit chance. The numbers provided are very rough calculations of the average damage a fighter might do, per round. The fighter class is used as an example for the spell effectiveness of crown of madness because ideally, you would charm a powerful melee unit with the spell. Furthermore, the "Total Value" column in the table shows the value of not only not being attacked by a charmed fighter, but of them attacking an ally - so, double the effect, by target level.
Crown of Madness Usefulness
Crown of Madness 5e is such a cool spell because it's a charm effect that actually allows you to take over your charmed target's actions, and cause them to attack their own allies. Though crown of madness has some drawbacks, it also has terrific potential. Use crown of madness 5e in the following situations to make the most from the spell.
- Cast crown of madness 5e against enemies with low Wisdom saving scores, to maximize your chances of succeeding with the spell.
- Prioritize crown of madness 5e on enemies who deal a ton of melee damage, since your charmed effect only allows for you to have the target melee attack. The more damage the target does with melee attacks, the more you should prioritize casting this spell.
- For the love of god, make sure that when you cast crown of madness on a target that there is another enemy within 5-feet of your target. If you stop attacking with your target at the start of their round, your target gets to act normally on that turn. Though this situation doesn't end the spell altogether, it does make it very likely that you won't get anything out of it at all as the target can simply run away from their own allies.
- Since crown of madness requires concentration to maintain its effect, make sure that you're far away from enemies who can attack you. If possible, cast the spell from the full 120-foot range, away.
- Make sure that you don't have any other super high-priority spells that you need to cast or actions that you need to take because maintaining this effect requires an action each round.
Combine Crown of Madness with the Following Spells
There are some spells such as burning hands or call lightning that, since they can target multiple units, or in other cases, get a sort of multiplying effect, they can become almost game-breaking. Crown of Madness certainly fits into the "potentially game-breaking" category, as you can not only prevent a powerful enemy from attacking you, but you can even turn that same enemy against their own allies.
Before casting Crown of Madness, in order to maximize its potential multiplying effect, try setting up the combat encounter by mixing in some of the following spells:
- Bane: though I typically don't consider bane to be a very powerful spell, when combined with crown of madness 5e, it certainly can be. Since bane lowers the targets' saving throws by 1d4, it's a must-have for maintaining the charmed effect on crown of madness victims.
- Banishment: have an ally cast banishment so that you keep more enemies away from attacking you. Alternatively, have an ally cast cause fear on any enemies getting too close to you for comfort.
- Cloud of Daggers: normally, I also view cloud of daggers as a pretty suboptimal spell, but if the map features a choke point, consider casting this spell as a way of preventing other creatures from attacking you. Since crown of madness 5e requires concentration, you must do everything possible to avoid being hit.
- Color Spray: if you can blind targets with this spell or even Blindness/ Deafness, you can give enemies disadvantage on their attack rolls, which ultimately helps you keep concentration for crown of madness.
- Haste: using this spell (which an ally would need to maintain on you since you can't concentrate on a second spell), you can gain +2AC and double your movement speed. Combine this spell with mage armor and you can significantly increase your AC, and keep moving away from any enemies who might break your crown of madness 5e concentration.
Crown of Madness 5e Counters
The easiest ways for your crown of madness run to end are when an enemy silences you, bolsters their affected ally's Wisdom saving throw with Bless, or deals damage to you to break your concentration. When it comes to damaging spells, something like cloud of daggers, which automatically hits, is especially troublesome, so be wary of effects of that nature by keeping your distance and knowing what your enemies are capable of casting.
Crown of Madness-Type Spells in Eternity TTRPG
Effects where you control another character's actions, or generally go berserk and sometimes attack allies, are some of my favorite in any TTRPG. I've included a couple examples of crown of madness 5e-type spells below, from the Eternity TTRPG Game System.
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Author - Jacob Tegtman
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Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QklD9CbOoV0&ab_channel=EternityTTRPG Transcription “In the flames, there is purity and salvation. From the flames, she speaks…” Those aren’t the words of a prophet. They’re the twisted scripture of a zealot. Deep in the mountains of Druskenvald, a crimson light spills from stained glass windows. It’s not salvation. It’s a warning. Today, we’re venturing into one of the darkest D&D adventures I’ve ever read—The Crimson Monastery, from my new personal favorite, Crooked Moon. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG, your faithful companion through the wildest realms of Dungeons & Dragons. If you love your fantasy served with horror, vampires, and morally gray decisions, buckle in—we’re about to descend into a bloodstained cathedral of corruption. Let me tell you a story. Once, there was a noble knight named Marius Renathyr. A beacon of honor, clad in gold armor, championing justice in a cursed land. He loved a priestess of the Nightmother, and though they burned with passion, he kept his vows. But as his crusade wore on, so did his soul. Wrath replaced compassion. And that’s when she found him. Viraxys, a devil who fed on twisted souls, disguised her voice as that of a goddess—the Crimson Rose. On the verge of death, Marius accepted her offer of life eternal. But what she gave him was a curse. Now immortal, now a vampire, now a puppet to her whims, Marius returned to the world not as a hero… but as Father Renathyr, the Crimson Abbot. Real quick to interrupt, we now have free downloadable D&D cards at the Eternity TTRPG website that you can use at your table. Everything from combat actions to status effects – no more flipping through your book to see exactly what being “Petrified” does to your character. You can just take our graphics, print them out at home, and slap them on your table for fun and easy reference. Grab yours today using the link, below! Now, back to the video. Father Renathyr took over a mountain monastery, corrupted its clergy, and built a religion around his devil’s false divinity. In the village below—Dawn’s Gate—the people tremble under his sermons. Refuse his faith, and you’ll be burned alive. Embrace it, and you may become something far worse. This isn’t just a dungeon crawl. It’s a full-blown crusade to take down a vampire cult… from the inside. The Crimon Monastery is awesome – there’s just so much to it. But let’s start out by saying that Father Renathyr’s not alone. His cult is sustained by three terrifying Priors, each with their own tragic backstory and twisted gifts: There’s Houndmaster Jaeger , Friar Olaf , and perhaps the most terrifying , Inquisitor Cromwell . Each of them appears human at first. But when defeated, their monstrous Night Creature forms are revealed for a brutal second phase. They’re more than lieutenants—they’re potential successors. If you don’t take out all three, the cult might survive… without Renathyr. And then there’s the monastery itself. It’s not just a setting. It’s a trap. The whole thing. The monastery’s walls are made of bloodstone—a cursed material that prevents blood from drying. If you’re wounded, you leave a visible trail, and stealth becomes nearly impossible. All around are red stained-glass windows arranged in rose-petal patterns. They bathe everything in an eerie light. Inside, the rituals are disturbing: bodies bled at the altar, corpses hanging in the Dead Larder, prayers whispered under a false god. Oh—and there’s no sunlight. A blessing from the Crimson Rose means that even magical sunlight won’t harm vampires within these walls. This is their stronghold. You’re not just breaking in to your usual dungeon crawl. With the Crimon Monastery, you’re invading a fortress of the damned. Finally, this story doesn’t end with one death. Kill Father Renathyr without wiping out his Priors? You start a civil war. The survivors fight for control, leading to bloodshed across the region. But what if you expose the truth—that the Crimson Rose is a devil—and show proof to the faithful? You could cause the entire cult to collapse in one dramatic showdown. The townsfolk revolt. The Bloodless turn on each other. The Crimson Monastery falls into ruin. You get to choose the ending. But be warned: leave even one thread intact, and the nightmare may rise again. So, adventurer... if you haven’t picked up the Crooked Moon yet, it might just be time. If you’ve liked what you’ve heard, the Crimson Monastery is only one of many adventures within this beautiful new book. So, let me know what path you’d take in the comments below. Like this video if you love dark, story-rich adventures. Subscribe for more deep dives into the shadowy corners of D&D, and let us know you want us to cover next. Until next time—stay safe, roll high, and never trust a rose without thorns.
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKV7iRcC31c&ab_channel=EternityTTRPG Transcription Wizards just dropped a bombshell—and no, it’s not another owlbear plushie. We’re finally heading back to the Forgotten Realms with a brand-new DM sourcebook—and it’s got survival horror, urban intrigue, and a ton of iconic locations. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG, your go-to for all things Dungeons & Dragons—rules, reveals, and Realm-shaking updates. Let’s start with the basics. Adventures in Faerûn is the brand-new Dungeon Master expansion dropping this November, and it's built specifically for the new rules update. That means it plays nice with the shiny new Player’s Handbook and Dungeon Master’s Guide. But unlike previous setting books, this one’s taking a genre-first approach. Instead of just a map and a lore dump, each of the five featured regions is tailored to a unique style of play. Think ‘Baldur’s Gate’ as gritty urban fantasy. ‘Icewind Dale’? Full-on survival horror. Yes please. Here’s the lineup of iconic locales we’re getting tools for: Baldur’s Gate – which you probably know from all our favorite, Baldur’s Gate 3. There’s urban crime, political tension, and maybe a little devilry. Calimshan – from older renditions of the Forgotten Realms Lore. You’ll fine scheming nobles and arcane secrets in an Arabian-Nights-esque setting. The Dalelands – from both 2e and 3e Forgotten Realms lore. This is classic high fantasy with lots of room for heroic sagas. Moonshae Isles – from The Moonshae Isles Regional Guide. It comes with Celtic vibes and druidic magic—great for mystery and folklore campaigns. Icewind Dale – which you can read about in the Legend of Drizzt Novels, by R.A. Salvatore. Here, you can expect Frostbitten survival, isolation, and ancient horrors. Each region comes with new adventure hooks, genre tone guides, and NPC inspiration tailored to the vibe. Real quick to interrupt, we now have free downloadable D&D cards at the Eternity TTRPG website that you can use at your table. Everything from combat actions to status effects – no more flipping through your book to see what exactly being “Petrified” does to your character. You can just take our graphics, print them out at home, and slap them on your table for fun and easy reference. Grab yours today using the link, below! Now, back to the video. Here’s the cool part—some of this material with the Forgotten Realms hasn’t been touched in Fifth Edition. Like, ever. They’re digging into the deeper lore of Faerûn and even pulling some artistic cues from Baldur’s Gate 3. You might recognize a few faces—or infernal contracts—from the game. And while it’s not confirmed, early previews suggest the book might come with poster maps—yes, actual tearaway maps. Which awesome. My table is ready. Adventures in Faerûn officially releases on November 11th, 2025. But—if you pre-order through D&D Beyond or an early-access local game store, you’ll get the digital version weeks in advance. Price isn’t locked yet, but it’ll probably sit around the usual $50 USD mark—same ballpark as Phandelver & Below and Vecna: Eve of Ruin. Now, you know how Wizards rolls: we’ll likely get tie-in minis from WizKids, and there’s a good chance Beadle & Grimm's will cook up one of their deluxe kits—metal coins, props, the works. To wrap it all up, here’s why this book matters: 5e hasn’t had a full Realms guide since 2015’s Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide. That’s nearly a decade without a dedicated Realms setting book. With the new rules and player guide dropping alongside it, this feels like Wizards’ attempt to make the Forgotten Realms fresh again—for new players and you experience, veteran gamer-grognards, alike. So, what do you think? Which of the five locations would you run a campaign in first? Is this genre-based format the future of setting books? Drop your take in the comments, smash that like button like it’s a mimic, and subscribe for more D&D news, lore, and spicy takes. Until next time—may your dice roll high and your plot hooks land.
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJt6sfuolo8&ab_channel=EternityTTRPG Transcription Civilization cut off. The solar system dimming. You’re not a hero—you’re just a soul, caught in the aftermath. Hey everyone! Today we’re unpacking Starset: The Great Dimming—the new 2nd‑edition tabletop RPG by Josiah Mork. It's a gritty, hope‑tinged sci‑fi RPG where ordinary lives shape the story. If you haven’t ever tried out TTRPGs besides D&D, this video is for you. I personally love finding the gems out there, especially from people who have fresh ideas in the RPG space. So, let’s dive into what makes this game truly unique. 1. Life‑Path Character Creation – “Your Story Shapes Your Stats” In most tabletop RPGs, you start by picking numbers—your strength, intelligence, gear, etc. Starset flips that completely. Here, you start with a life path : five origin stories to choose from— Combat , Common , Exploration , Mercenary , or Slave . These aren’t classes. They’re your character’s past. Were they a soldier in a forgotten war? A wanderer searching for hope? A prisoner stripped of identity? Once you’ve chosen, you roll dice to simulate major events in that character’s life. Each result gives you a moral choice , like “Did you steal the food to survive… or go hungry and keep your honor?” Your decision directly affects what skills, alliances, and scars your character carries—and even how old they are by the time the game begins. And yes, it’s possible to die before session one. That's how real and brutal the world of Starset is. You also collect keywords —these are mechanical tags that represent things like trauma, friendships, or defining traits. Some make you stronger. Others are burdens that shape how you grow. Either way, they evolve with you, like emotional milestones that actually change your abilities over time. In short: You don’t make a character—you live them. As creator Josiah Mork put it, this is “ backstory on mega-steroids. ” 2. Simultaneous Action Resolution – “It’s Not Your Turn—It’s Everyone’s Turn” In most tabletop RPGs, combat goes in turns: “You go, then I go, then the monster goes.” Starset changes the entire flow. Here’s how it works: Whenever someone targets you—say, with an attack or a persuasion attempt—that action is delayed until the end of your next turn . That delay is called a Floating Action . It gives you and your allies time to do something about it. Maybe you dodge out of the way. Maybe you talk them down . Maybe your teammate steps in with an assist , giving you a boost. These responses turn every round into a mini strategy session. So instead of sitting there waiting for your next turn, the idea is that you’re constantly engaged. Helping allies. Blocking threats. Choosing whether to defend, or risk it all. Your dice pool —which you use for actions—is also your health . Take a hit, and you lose dice. That means fewer options and more vulnerability next turn. The result? Combat is less “hit and wait” and more like chess with story beats— tactical, interactive, and team-driven. Even the quiet players at the table get a reason to act and shine. 3. Rich, Thought‑Provoking Worldbuilding – “Loneliness Is the Real Enemy” Starset isn’t just dark because it looks cool—it’s dark because it wants to say something. The game is set after a cosmic event collapses the Oort Cloud... did I pronounce that right? The Oort Cloud collapses, cutting off Earth from the rest of humanity. Civilization falls into chaos. Survivors are left scattered, alone, and desperate for connection. Every faction in the game is built around a different solution to loneliness : One turns to faith . Another to techno-utopia . One seeks control through power. Others build tight-knit communities . Each choice has promise… and danger. No side is “right”—they just reflect real human struggles. To support this, the game includes the 8 Edicts of Man , a set of philosophical rules that shape society post-collapse. The setting spans 1,000 years of history , giving Game Masters tons of material—from colony ships in deep space to dying cities on Earth. At the end of every game session, players earn experience not for killing monsters, but by sharing how their character helped others or fought against isolation . It’s a system that rewards empathy, as much as power. So yes, Starset is bleak—but it’s also hopeful. It’s a game about surviving the dark… by reaching for the light. Who Should Play Starset… and Why? So who is this game really for? Starset is for story lovers : If you're the kind of player who enjoys deep, emotional character arcs—where your decisions carry weight and shape your story—Starset was made for you. Every character is a layered person with a past, not just a collection of stats. Starset is for strategic thinkers : Starset rewards thoughtful play. Combat and problem-solving aren't just about rolling high—they're about making smart, team-based decisions. And because you’re always involved—even during someone else’s turn—there’s no dead time at the table. Starset is for sci-fi fans with a philosophical streak : Starset tackles big questions: How do we find connection in a broken world? What do we believe in when everything falls apart? If you love sci-fi that makes you think, you’ll feel right at home. And finally, Starset is for game masters who crave worldbuilding fuel : The game’s setting is rich with lore—factions, history, philosophy, politics. It's all there to spark story hooks, conversations, and custom adventures. Whether you’re building a gritty survival tale or a cosmic morality play, Starset gives you tools to explore both. To summarize, here’s Why Starset Stands Out You don’t just create a character—you live their backstory through interactive choices before the game even begins. The simultaneous action system keeps players engaged and reactive, almost all the time. Which is a fresh change to many D&D battles, if we’re being honest. The world of Starset is dark, yes—but it’s also filled with glimmers of hope , and it challenges you to explore themes like empathy, survival, and belief. And finally, every rule and system is designed to reward meaningful interaction —with the world and each other. The Bottom line? Starset doesn’t ask, “How do you win?” Instead, it asks, “What kind of person will you be when everything falls apart?” Intrigued? You can back it now on Kickstarter or check out the rulebook when it’s available. And lastly, let me know what you think of new game coverage like this, in the comments below. Eternity TTRPG is still feeling out who we are as a channel, so your insight helps me connect you with the content you want most. Until next time!