Poisoned in 5e – Potential for Deadly Effects

The official description of poisoned is as follows: (Source – Roll20)

• A poisoned creature has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks

It uses a Constitution Saving throw in most cases.

Monster Abilities

• Giant Spider {Bite} [Player’s Handbook Pg 306]
  • Applies Paralysis for poison’s duration if reduced to 0 hp with the hit. Target is Stable (No death saves needed) (1 hour)
  • DC 11 Constitution Saving throw
• Imp {Sting} [Player’s Handbook Pg 306
  • 3d6 poison damage on failed saving throw, half for successful save
  • DC 11 Constitution Saving Throw
• Poisonous Snake {Bite} [Player’s Handbook Pg 308]
  • 2d4 Poison damage on failed saving throw, half for successful save
  • DC 10 Constitution Saving Throw
• Pseudodragon {Sting} [Player’s Handbook Pg 308]
  • If failed saving throw, becomes poisoned for 1 hour. If Saving throw is 6 or lower, target falls unconcious for the poisons duration until it takes damage or another creature uses an action to wake it.
  • DC 11 Constitution Saving Throw
• Quasit {Claws} [Player’s Handbook Pg 309]
  • Poison Damage over time (2d4). Saving throw repeated each turn for the poison’s duration. Lasts 1 minute.
  • DC 10 Constitution Saving Throw
• Sprite {Shortbow} [Player’s Handbook Pg 310]
  • Inflicts unconscious for 1 minute if failed saving throw with a value of 5 or lower
  • Unconcious can be ended early if inflicted target takes damage, or another creature uses an action to wake it up.
  • DC 10 Constitution Saving Throw
• Carrion Crawler {Tentacles} [Monster Manual Pg 37]
  • Inflicts Paralysis for 1 minute if failed saving throw
  • Target can repeat saving throw at the end of each turn, ending poison on first success
  • DC 13 Constitutuon Saving Throw
• Chuul {Tentacles} [Monster Manual Pg 40]
  • Inflicts Paralysis for 1 minute if failed saving throw
  • Target can repeat saving throw at the end of each turn, ending poison on first success
  • DC 13 Constitutuon Saving Throw
• Couatl {Bite} [Monster Manual Pg 43]
  • Inflicts Unconsciousness for 24 hours, unless awoken by an action to shake by another creature
  • DC 13 Constitution Saving Throw
• Dretch {Fetid Cloud} [Monster Manual Pg 57]
  • Prevents the use of an action or bonus action while afflicted (choose one)
  • DC 11 Constitution Saving Throw
• Hezrou {Stench} [Monster Manual Pg 60]
  • Basic Poisoned Condition (See the beginning of the article)
  • DC 14 Constition Saving Throw
• Vrock {Spores} [Monster Manual Pg 64]
  • Damage each turn until removed or saving throw success
  • DC 14 Constitution Saving Throw
• Yochlol {Mist Form} [Monster Manual Pg 65]
  • Incapacitated while afflicted
  • DC 14 Constitution Saving Throw
• Bearded Devil {Beard} [Monster Manual Pg 70]
  • Can’t regain hit points while afflicted
  • DC 12 Constitution Saving Throw
• Bone Devil {Sting} [Monster Manual Pg 71]
  • Basic Poison (See beginning of article)
  • DC 14 Constitution Saving Throw
• Erinyes {Longbow} [Monster Manual Pg 73]
  • Infinite Duration Poison until removed by lesser restoration or similar magic
  • DC 14 Constitution Saving Throw
• Pit Fiend {Bite} [Monster Manual Pg 77]
  • Prevents healing, deals damage at the start of each of it’s turn to poisoned targets
  • Effect ends on first constition saving throw or magic that removes poison
  • DC 21 Constitution Saving Throw
• …And Many more (This is getting a bit too long.)

Consumable Items

• Poison, Basic (Vial)
  • DC 10 Constitution Saving Throw
  • 1d4 Poison damage per turn, con save applies each turn
  • Lasts 1 minute

Spells

• Ray of Sickness (1st level) [Player’s Handbook Pg 271]
  • Doesn’t specify what the poison does. See begining of article for generic poison effect.
  • DM can specify a secondary poison effect if they so desire.
• Stinking Cloud (3rd level) [Player’s Handbook Pg 278]

Class Features

• Wild Magic Surge (73-74)
  • A random creature within 60 feet of you becomes poisoned for 1d4 hours.
  • See start of article for what the poisoned effect itself does
  • DM Can specify a specific type of poison effect if they wish

Magic Items

• Disadvantage on Saving throws against poison
  • Artifact Minor Detrimental properties
• Bag of Beans {01} & {71-80} [Dungeon Master’s Guide Pg 152]
• Dagger of Venom [Dungeon Master’s Guide Pg 161]
• Potion of Poison [Dungeon Master’s Guide Pg 188]

Dungeon Hazards

• Yellow Mold [Dungeon Master’s Guide Pg 105]
• Poison Dart Trap [Dungeon Master’s Guide Pg 123]
• Spiked Pit [Dungeon Master’s Guide Pg 123]
• |Dragon Lair Actions| Volcanic Gasses [Monster Manual Pg 99]