What "line of sight" means for frightened
The disadvantage applies only while you can see the source. Break line of sight (duck around a corner, step behind a wall, or have the source turn invisible) and your attacks and checks are normal again. The "can't move closer" part has no line-of-sight clause, so it still applies even when you can't see the source.
What causes frightened
Spells
- •Fear (3rd level): 30-foot cone; targets drop what they're holding, are frightened, and must Dash away on their turns. They save only when they end a turn out of the caster's line of sight.
- •Eyebite (6th level): Panicked option.
- •Symbol (7th level): Fear glyph.
- •Phantasmal Killer frightens in 2014 only. The 2024 version gives disadvantage directly instead of the condition.
Monsters
- •Dragon Frightful Presence: in 2014, adult and ancient dragons force a Wisdom save or frightened for 1 minute. In 2024 the legendary action casts the Fear spell.
- •Ghost's Horrifying Visage, the mummy's Dreadful Glare, the quasit's Scare, and the lich's Frightening Gaze (2014 stat blocks).
Class features
- •Barbarian (Berserker, 2014) Intimidating Presence at 10th level.
How to end frightened
- •Repeat the save. Most fear effects let you save at the end of each of your turns.
- •Get out of sight for effects like Fear, which only allow a save when you end your turn where you can't see the caster.
- •Calm Emotions (2nd level): suppresses charmed and frightened on humanoids for its duration.
- •Heroism (1st level): the target is immune to frightened while the spell lasts.
- •Paladin's Aura of Courage (level 10): you and allies in the aura can't be frightened. In 2024 a frightened ally who enters the aura ignores the condition while inside.
- •Berserker's Mindless Rage (level 6): immunity to charmed and frightened while raging; entering rage ends (2024) or suspends (2014) the condition.
- •Paladin, level 14 (2024): Restoring Touch removes frightened through Lay On Hands.
Common rulings and edge cases
- •Ranged attackers can stay back. A frightened archer just doesn't move closer and keeps shooting, at disadvantage while the source is in sight.
- •Spells with saves aren't affected. Frightened gives disadvantage on attack rolls, not on your spell save DC. A frightened wizard's Fireball works normally.
- •"Closer" is measured to the source. You can move sideways or away freely. If an ally is between you and the source, you can't step past them toward it.
- •You can still be dragged closer. Only willing movement is blocked. An enemy who grapples you can drag you toward the source.
- •Opportunity attacks still happen. Running away from a frightening monster can provoke opportunity attacks unless you Disengage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a frightened creature attack?
Yes. It has disadvantage on attack rolls while it can see the source of its fear, but it can attack, cast spells and use abilities.
Does frightened affect saving throws?
No. The condition only affects ability checks and attack rolls. Some fear effects, like a quasit's Scare, give the target disadvantage on its save to end the effect, but that's written into the specific ability.
Can a frightened creature move toward the source of its fear?
Not willingly. It can move in any other direction, and other effects can still move it closer.
What if the source of fear is invisible or out of sight?
You lose the disadvantage while the source isn't in line of sight. You still can't willingly move closer to it.
Does Heroism remove frightened?
Heroism makes the target immune to the frightened condition for the duration, so fear has no effect on them while it lasts. Calm Emotions suppresses frightened on humanoids for its duration instead.
Rules checked against the D&D 5e SRD 5.1 (2014) and SRD 5.2.1 (2024).