You speak the ancient words of the Geas, and a glowing sigil appears before you, pulsating with otherworldly energy.
The sigil shoots forth, binding itself to the will of your target, enforcing a magical compulsion that will compel them to obey your every command or suffer dire consequences.
The Player’s Handbook says the following:
Geas 5e
5th-level Enchantment
Casting Time: 1 Minute
Range: 60 feet
Components: V
Duration: 30 days
You can use magic to command a creature that is visible to you and within your line of sight to do something for you or refrain from doing something as you choose.
If you can be understood by the creature, it must make a successful Wisdom saving throw, or it will be charmed by you for the duration.
Each time the creature behaves in a way that goes directly against your commands while it is charmed, up to once per day, it suffers 5d10 psychic damage. The spell does not affect a creature that cannot understand you.
You can order anything you choose, except actions that would guarantee certain death. The spell expires if you provide a suicidal order.
The spell can be ended early by performing an action to dismiss it. It can also be broken with a Remove Curse, Greater Restoration, or Wish spell.
At Higher Levels: When you cast Geas with a 7th or 8th-level spell slot, the duration increases to 1 year. When you cast Geas using a 9th-level spell slot, the spell will last until it is ended by one of the spells above.
Spell Type – Control
Which Classes Can Pick Geas 5e?
Traditional classes like the Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, and Wizard can freely unlock Geas.
The Paladin can unlock and use Geas at level 17, while all the other classes can unlock it at level 9.
The Oath of The Crown (Paladin) subclass can unlock and use Geas at level 17.
Is Geas Good in 5e?
Geas is seen as an incredibly powerful spell. While it doesn’t always deal damage, its controlling ability and extremely long duration (plus the upscaling) push it past many other 5th-level spells.
Players must be wary of the spells that can potentially stop their maniacal charming spree!
Advantages – Geas
Casting Time
Geas only has a casting time of 1 minute. While that is quite long for a battle, you can always try and stretch out a battle if you see an enemy you want to charm.
Duration
Geas has a standard duration of 30 days! That is one of the longest spell durations in 5e, especially for a spell that lets you control enemies.
Range
Players must be within 60 feet of a creature to target it. While the range isn’t that long, you have to look at how powerful the spell is already.
It doesn’t have Concentration. It only has one component (Verbal) and lasts up to 30 days.
Even if it had a range of 30 feet, it would still be considered an advantage. It will become dangerous for the spellcaster only when it reaches anything under 10 feet.
Disadvantages – Geas
Easily Countered
Geas can be canceled faster than you think. If a spellcaster were to merely touch the caster with Remove Curse (3rd-level spell), then Geas would end.
Note: Be very careful of spellcasters!
Spells Similar to Geas 5e
Spells similar to Geas are Command, Suggestion, Dominate Person, Modify Memory, and Mass Suggestion.
When or How Should You Use Geas?
Target the Strongest Enemies
What use is a spell that lets you control enemies if your minion isn’t powerful? They might make good distractions or meat shields, but they have no real value.
However, if you target the strongest enemies, you’ll basically have another player in your party. You can even charm a spellcaster and have them cast beneficial spells for your party.
Target Low WIS Enemies
Creatures targeted by Geas have to make a Wisdom saving throw or be charmed. So if you know of a powerful enemy with low Wisdom, try charming them instead of an ordinary enemy.
Not only will it be easier, but the spell will hit more often than when it’s used against high Wisdom enemies.
Use Upscaling
While there are better spells with which to use your 9th-level spell slot, Geas synergizes exceptionally well with higher-level spell slots.
So well that using a 9th-level spell slot with Geas will make the spell last indefinitely (or until dismissed or canceled).
So if you have a powerful creature at your command, you can use a higher-level spell slot for Geas.
If you don’t want to use your 9th-level spell slot, you can even use a 7th-level one, as that’ll make the spell last 1 year.
Be Careful of Spellcasters
Spellcasters can easily ruin your entire plan if it involves Geas.
While Greater Restoration and Wish are high-level spells, Remove Curse is a 3rd-level spell a DM can easily grant to a spellcaster.
Note: Remove Curse has a range of touch, so if the spell stays unchanged, be aware of spellcasters coming too close to you, as they might have it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Break Geas?
If you wish to end Geas early, you can use an action to dismiss it. A Remove Curse, Greater Restoration, or Wish spell will also end all the effects of Geas.
You should use one of these spells when Geas is being used against your party.
Can You Cast Geas Multiple Times?
Geas cannot be cast multiple times by the same caster, but it can be cast by each player that has the spell.
The wording for Geas also mentions that you can only target one creature with it. Nothing states that it can be cast more than once.
Final Thoughts
Geas is a powerful tool in the arsenal of any skilled spellcaster, allowing them to exert their will over a target and bend them to their bidding.
However, it should be used with caution, and the magic itself is not without its limits and vulnerabilities.
You won’t only be able to control a strong enemy, but you can also assist your team with your spells and charmed creature.
Just be careful of spellcasters; they might turn the whole operation on its head!