Telekinesis is a 5th-level transmutation spell for Sorcerers and Wizards. For up to 10 minutes (concentration), you can use your action each round to move one creature or object you can see within 60 feet. A Huge or smaller creature moves up to 30 feet and is restrained until the end of your next turn if you win a contest: your spellcasting ability check against its Strength check. Unattended objects up to 1,000 pounds move automatically. In the 2024 rules the creature makes a Strength saving throw instead of a contest.
Telekinesis gives you 10 minutes of a strong, invisible hand. Each round you pick one target: a creature to shove around and pin, or an object to lift, carry, or snatch.
Against creatures it is single-target control. On a success you move the creature up to 30 feet in any direction, including upward, but not beyond the spell's 60-foot range. Until the end of your next turn it is restrained, and a creature lifted upward hangs in mid-air. Restrained means speed 0, advantage on attack rolls against it, disadvantage on its attacks, and disadvantage on its Dexterity saves.
The 2014 contest is the weak point. You roll a d20 plus your spellcasting modifier, with no proficiency bonus, against the creature's Strength check. Strong monsters win often. The 2024 version uses a Strength save against your spell save DC, which includes your proficiency bonus.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Level | 5 |
| School | Transmutation |
| Casting Time | 1 action |
| Range | 60 feet |
| Components | V, S |
| Material | None |
| Duration | Up to 10 minutes |
| Concentration | Yes |
| Ritual | No |
| Save/Attack | Contest: spellcasting ability check vs Strength check (2014) |
| Classes | Sorcerer, Wizard |
| Metric | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Slot Efficiency | Good if the spell runs several rounds or solves an obstacle outside combat. |
| Action Economy | Weak. It takes your action every round to keep working, and the first cast already is an action. |
| Opportunity Cost | Concentration and your action each turn. Compare it with a 5th-level save-or-suck spell that lasts on its own. |
When worth the slot: Pinning a single dangerous flyer, holding an enemy away from the party, snatching a key item, or long exploration puzzles.
When NOT worth the slot: Big brutes with high Strength in 2014 play, or fights where you need area control.
Telekinesis has no "At Higher Levels" text in either edition. Higher slots add nothing.
Why it works: Your contest roll (2014) or the target's Strength save (2024) decides everything. Spellcasters and archers often have low Strength. Lifting an enemy caster into the air and holding it there keeps it restrained and away from your allies' reach.
This avoids the mistake of: Trying to wrestle an ogre with your Intelligence.
Why it works: Against a creature holding something, you can pull the object away and move it 30 feet. Taking a cult leader's holy symbol or a mage's wand can matter more than moving them.
This avoids the mistake of: Ignoring the object option when the creature is too strong to move.
Why it works: Opportunity attacks trigger when a creature leaves your reach using its own movement. A creature moved by your spell doesn't provoke. The same is true for allies you move.
This avoids the mistake of: Thinking your telekinetic shove gives your fighter a free swing. It doesn't.
Why it works: Fine control lets you open doors, carry loot, pull a lever over a pit, or haul a treasure chest up a cliff. Unattended objects up to 1,000 pounds move automatically in 2014, with no roll.
This avoids the mistake of: Only thinking of Telekinesis as a combat spell.
Why it's bad: It's an ability check with your spellcasting ability, not a spell attack or skill. Proficiency doesn't apply unless something else grants it.
Do this instead: Roll d20 plus your spellcasting modifier. Guidance or Enhance Ability can help.
Why it's bad: Concentration keeps the spell active, but each new effect takes your action. Without it, the target is free after the end of your next turn.
Do this instead: Plan for a few turns of Telekinesis, or don't cast it.
Why it's bad: The spell text gives no damage for hurling objects at creatures. Whether moving a heavy object into a creature deals damage is a DM ruling, not rules text.
Do this instead: Ask your DM before relying on it. Otherwise, use the spell for control.
Why it's bad: The 2014 text says a lifted creature is suspended in mid-air while restrained, but doesn't say what happens when the restraint ends. Whether it falls is a DM ruling, not rules text. The 2024 text settles it: the creature falls at the end of your next turn unless you use the creature option on it again and it fails the save.
Do this instead: In 2014 games, ask your DM how they rule it before you build a plan around a drop.
The examples use a 9th-level wizard with Intelligence 20: +5 on the 2014 contest, spell save DC 17 in 2024 (8 + 4 proficiency + 5 Intelligence).
The 2024 Player's Handbook keeps Telekinesis as a 5th-level transmutation for Sorcerers and Wizards with 60-foot range and concentration up to 10 minutes. The changes:
The fine-control clause remains. The SRD 5.2.1 text lists manipulating a simple tool, then breaks off mid-sentence, so check the 2024 Player's Handbook for the full list of examples.
For up to 10 minutes, you can use your action each round to move one creature or object you can see within 60 feet. A Huge or smaller creature moves up to 30 feet and is restrained until the end of your next turn if you win the 2014 contest or it fails the 2024 Strength save.
Up to 1,000 pounds in the 2014 rules. In 2024 it can move any Huge or smaller object.
In 2014, no. It uses a contest: your spellcasting ability check against the creature's Strength check. In 2024 the creature makes a Strength saving throw against your spell save DC.
In 2024, yes. A lifted creature falls at the end of your next turn unless you use the option on it again and it fails the save. In 2014 the text doesn't say, so it is a DM ruling, not rules text.
No. A creature moved by the spell isn't using its own movement, so it doesn't provoke.
The text doesn't say whether you can target yourself. It's a DM ruling, not rules text.
No damage appears in the text. Falling damage after a drop in 2024 is the standard 1d6 per 10 feet. Any damage from hurling objects is a DM ruling.
Yes. For a carried object you need to win the 2014 contest, or the holder must fail a Strength save in 2024. On success you pull the object away and can move it 30 feet.
Citations: SRD 5.1 (2014 rules), SRD 5.2.1 (2024 rules)
Includes material from the System Reference Document 5.1 and 5.2.1 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
This page includes material from the System Reference Document 5.1 and 5.2.1 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Loreify is not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast.
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