What causes petrified
- •Basilisk's Petrifying Gaze. In 2014, a creature that starts its turn within 30 feet and meets the basilisk's gaze makes a DC 12 Constitution save; a failure restrains it, and a second failure petrifies it until freed by Greater Restoration or similar magic. In 2024 it's a 30-foot cone used as a bonus action (Recharge 4–6) with the same restrained-then-petrified sequence.
- •Medusa's Petrifying Gaze (2014): a DC 14 Constitution save. Fail by 5 or more and you're petrified instantly; otherwise you're restrained and save again at the end of your next turn.
- •Cockatrice bite (2014): a failed DC 11 Constitution save restrains you, and failing the follow-up save petrifies you for 24 hours.
- •Gorgon's Petrifying Breath: a 30-foot cone; a failed Constitution save restrains you, and a second failure petrifies you.
- •Flesh to Stone (6th level): restrained on a failed save, petrified after three failed saves. If the caster holds concentration for the full minute, the petrification lasts until removed by magic.
- •Prismatic Spray and Prismatic Wall: the indigo ray restrains, then petrifies after three failed saves.
How to end petrified
- •Greater Restoration (5th level): ends one effect that petrified the target (2014) or the petrified condition (2024).
- •Wait it out for timed effects, like a cockatrice's 24 hours.
- •Break the caster's concentration on Flesh to Stone before the third failed save, or before the minute is up.
- •Lesser Restoration does not cure petrification.
Common rulings and edge cases
- •Avert your eyes. The 2014 basilisk and medusa gazes let a creature that isn't surprised avert its eyes at the start of its turn to skip the save. It can't see the monster until its next turn, so its attacks against it have disadvantage.
- •Breaking the statue. The 2014 Flesh to Stone spell warns that a creature physically broken while petrified suffers similar deformities if it returns to flesh. Petrified creatures have resistance to all damage, so smashing one takes effort.
- •Gear goes with you. Nonmagical items you wear or carry turn to stone too. Magic items don't.
- •It doesn't count as dead. A petrified creature isn't dead, so Raise Dead and Revivify do nothing. Greater Restoration is the fix.
- •Mirrors work. In 2014, a basilisk or medusa that sees its own reflection within 30 feet in bright light is targeted by its own gaze. The 2024 basilisk has to save if it sees its reflection in its gaze cone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does petrified do in 5e?
You turn to stone with your nonmagical gear, become incapacitated and unable to move, automatically fail Strength and Dexterity saves, and give attackers advantage. You also gain resistance to all damage and stop aging.
How do you cure petrification in 5e?
Greater Restoration ends it. Some effects end on their own after a set time, like a cockatrice's 24 hours. Lesser Restoration doesn't work.
Does a petrified creature know what's happening?
In 2014, no: it's unaware of its surroundings. The 2024 condition doesn't repeat that line, so check with your DM.
Do attacks against a petrified creature auto-crit?
No. They have advantage, but only paralyzed and unconscious creatures take automatic crits from within 5 feet.
What happens to a petrified creature's equipment?
Nonmagical items it's wearing or carrying become stone with it. Magic items are unaffected.
Rules checked against the D&D 5e SRD 5.1 (2014) and SRD 5.2.1 (2024).