Fog Cloud is a 1st-level spell utility spell used by the Druid, Ranger, Sorcerer, and Wizard classes as part of their spell lists.
Fog Cloud is the lesser version of Darkness and Stinking Cloud with similar vision-impairing effects.
The Player’s Handbook description is as follows:
Fog Cloud 5e
1st-level Conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
You can create a 20-foot-radius sphere of fog centered on a point within range. The sphere can spread around corners, which heavily obscures that area.
It lasts for the full duration or until a wind of moderate or greater speed (which is at least 10 miles per hour) disperses the cloud.
At Higher Levels: When you cast Fog Cloud using a 2nd-level spell slot or higher, it increases the radius of the fog by 20 feet for each slot level above the 1st.
Which Classes Can Pick Fog Cloud?
Traditional classes, such as the Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard, can unlock Fog Cloud for free.
All classes mentioned above can choose to unlock and use this spell at level 1.
Subclasses like the Eldritch Knight (Fighter) and Tempest Domain (Cleric) will unlock and be able to use Fog Cloud.
Eldritch Knights (Fighter) can use this spell at level 3, while Tempest Domain (Cleric) can use it at level 1.
Is Fog Cloud Good in 5e?
Fog Cloud might not be a flashy offensive or powerful defensive spell, but it does its job well for its purpose. That is to decrease the vision of anyone looking through the smoke, ally, or enemy.
Advantages – Fog Cloud
Long Range
Utility spells with long ranges (120 feet) have more flexibility than those with less. It allows players to assist allies, even if they are far away.
Decent Radius
When cast, the smoke creates a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on your chosen point. In most cases, 20 feet is more than enough to impair the vision of all the enemies in an area.
Note: When used in a tight space like a cave, this spell becomes even better since it spreads around corners.
Lengthy Duration
Players can keep Fog Cloud up for a maximum of 1 hour. You can make many decisions during this time as you play around the fog with your party and use it as cover from your enemies’ eyes.
Disadvantages – Fog Cloud
Concentration Spell
One of Fog Cloud’s biggest advantages is its 1-hour duration. However, if the concentration breaks, the fog disperses.
Protecting the one who cast Fog Cloud or making sure nobody saw who cast it is the easiest way to ensure the concentration stays up. It lasts long, so there is no need to cast it hastily.
How Should I Use Fog Cloud?
Fog Cloud is best used for its vision-impairing effect. Knowing this and playing around will be your best option.
Use Indoors
Fighting outside, with wind and open areas, would make Fog Cloud less effective.
Instead, use it inside a cave, house, or enclosed area. Not only will this alleviate the issue of natural wind, but it’ll make the fog spread around corners.
Just be mindful of spellcasters. The DM might give one of them the Gust of Wind spell. This would disperse the cloud, ending the spell immediately.
Negate Debuffs
If enemies can’t see you, they can target you (except if they blindly attack into the fog, which wastes resources). For the most part, this also means they can debuff you.
Just be aware that some spells, like Silence, also have a 20-foot-radius which can be used to an enemy’s advantage.
If you were making noise, they could quickly pinpoint your location and try to debuff your party.
Note: Keep in mind enemies with Blindsight or Truesight also can’t see through Cloud of Fog.
Covering Traps
Players can use Glyph of Warding to set magical traps if they want to. Your ranger can also set up elaborate traps, especially if they picked the Trapper archetype.
Casting Fog Cloud in the area of the trap makes locating it nearly impossible. If they do activate it, it’ll already be too late.
Note: Players with access to Fireball can easily rig the glyph with it. If enemies cannot see it, they’ll take a massive 8d6 Fire damage.
Use as an Escape Plan
You cannot win every battle, so to save your life and those around you, use Fog Cloud to escape.
The best way to establish an escape plan would be first to scare the enemies and, secondly, impair their vision and confuse them.
Note: Spells like Fireball and Call Lightning are great if you want to influence a large area with their AoE.
When everything is in place, start running and don’t look back. You’ll eventually make it out, living to fight another day.
Are There Similar Spells Available?
Spells with similar effects to Fog Cloud are Stinking Cloud, Darkness, and Silence. All of these spells have a radius affecting quite a large area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fog Cloud Better Than Darkness?
Fog Cloud and Darkness both have a vision-obscuring area. The difference is that one uses darkness while the other uses fog. Their results are the same; however, they come at different costs.
Fog Cloud is a lower-level spell that lasts longer, needs no Material component, and has a longer range. This makes Fog Cloud better in every way.
How Do I Get Rid of Fog Cloud?
The easiest way for enemies to get rid of Fog Cloud would be for them to blow it away with spells like Gust of Wind.
Your next best option would be to target the spellcaster who cast it, but you’ll need to identify and find him before blindly attacking.
Final Thoughts
Having your party be free of enemy disadvantages can make a battle more enjoyable. It only costs you a 1st-level spell slot, but you learn to play using utility instead or raw damage.
As the game progresses, you’ll be able to combine utility spells like Fog Cloud with devastating AoE spells. So learn to be creative, and stop your enemies before they even lay their eyes on you.