The official description of Stunned in 5e is as follows: (Source – Roll20)
- A stunned creature is incapacitated (see the condition), can’t move, and can speak only falteringly.
- The creature automatically fails Strength and Dexterity Saving Throws.
- Attack rolls against the creature have advantage.
Causes of the Condition Stunned in 5E DND
There are quite a few causes of stunned in 5e DND, with most of them being the abilities of specific monsters. The Monk class is the most capable regarding a player’s ability to cause stunned. With that said, there are also some spells available to caster classes, available as early as second-level spells.
Beyond that, the only other official way to cause the stunning condition is through magic items.
However, it is essential to remember that the Game Master may decide to inflict a stun on you for any reason. They have the power to homebrew any ability onto any monster or any effect onto any item, so always expect the unexpected.
Monster Abilities
- Vrock {Stunning Screech} [Monster Manual Pg 64]
- Intellect Devourer {Devour Intellect} [Monster Manual Pg 191]
- Mind Flayer {Tentacles, Mind Blast} [Monster Manual Pg 222]
- Mummy Lord {Blasphemous Word} [Monster Manual Pg 229]
- Myconid Adult {Pacifying Spores} [Monster Manual Pg 232]
- Myconid Sovereign {Pacifying Spores} [Monster Manual Pg 232]
- Otyugh {Tentacle Slam} [Monster Manual Pg 248]
- Ultroloth {Hypnotic Gaze} [Monster Manual Pg 314]
Class Abilities
- Stunning Strike (Monk 5th Level) [Player’s Handbook Pg 79]
Optional Rules
- Massive Damage {System Shock 4-5 D10} [Dungeon Master’s Guide Pg 273]
Special Sources
- Wuxia [Dungeon Master’s Guide Pg 41]
- Short Term Madness {81-90} [Dungeon Master’s Guide Pg 259]
Environment Hazards
- Psychic Wind (Astral Plane) {1-8 D20 roll effect} [Dungeon Master’s Guide Pg 48]
Magical Items
- Hammer of Thunderbolts (Charge Use) [Dungeon Master’s Guide Pg 173]
- Robe of Scintillating Colors (Charge Use) [Dungeon Master’s Guide Pg 194]
- The Staff of Thunder and Lightning {Thunder} [Dungeon Master’s Guide Pg 205]
- Wand of Wonder {11-15 D100 Result} [Dungeon Master’s Guide Pg 210]
- Whelm {Shock Wave} [Dungeon Master’s Guide Pg 218]
Spells
- Suggestion {Stunning} (2nd Level) [Player’s Handbook Pg 279]
- Available to Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Contagion {Slimy Doom} (5th Level) [Player’s Handbook Pg 227]
- Available to Cleric, Druid, Oathbreaker Paladin
- Mass Suggestion {Stunning} (6th Level) [Basic Rules Pg 258]
- Available to Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Divine Word (7th Level) [Player’s Handbook Pg 234]
- Available to Cleric
- Power Word Stun (8th Level) [Player’s Handbook Pg 267]
- Available to Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Counters to Stunned
Since most things that apply stun only last a single round, there is almost no need to counter it. However, in emergency situations, such as your healer getting stunned, there are a few ways to protect against it and remove it if necessary.
All of those methods include the use of spells or some very clever roleplay that your game master accepts. (The Rule of Cool.) If your party is going up against mind flayers or intellect devourers, maybe talk with the GM to see if you can prep some homemade remedy to combat its stunning capabilities if taken before the fight. They might not allow it, but it is worth asking, assuming you pass a history or nature check regarding the creatures.
Spells
- Aura of Purity (4th Level) [Player’s Handbook Pg 216]
- Power Word Heal (9th level) [Player’s Handbook Pg 266]
- Wish (9th level) [Player’s Handbook Pg 288]
How Bad is Stunned?
Getting stunned in 5e within combat is quite bad for those on the receiving end. After all, it effectively makes the recipient lose their next turn. (Or multiple turns if it is a long duration stun with multiple failed saving throws.) Additionally, any enemy that goes to hit a stunned target will have advantage, and succeed at any strength or dexterity-based attacks/spells, like Lightning bolt or Lightning Lure.
However, because most things that can stun you can only do so for a single round unless they specifically target one person to lockdown, it isn’t as bad as a condition like petrified. However, for a few sources, the stunned effect can last up to 1 minute (Myconid Adult/Sovereign) or even 10 minutes.
