Fog Cloud is a first-level spell in the 5e of Dungeons and Dragons that creates a thick fog in a designated area, obscuring vision and making it difficult for creatures to see or attack within the cloud.
You can use Fog Cloud in a variety of situations, including combat, exploration, and as a means of escape. The spell is available to several classes, including wizards, sorcerers, and druids, and can be a valuable tool for both offense and defense.
How to Use Fog Cloud in D&d 5e
Here are some tips on how to use the Fog Cloud spell in D&D 5e:
Create cover: You can use Fog Cloud to create a cover for yourself and your allies, making it harder for enemies to target you with ranged attacks. If you are being pursued, you can cast the spell behind you to provide a temporary barrier between you and your pursuers.
Create confusion: The use of Fog Cloud can create confusion among enemies by disrupting their ability to see and target the party, giving an advantage in combat by forcing enemies to move closer and potentially exposing themselves to attacks of opportunity.
Escape: Fog Cloud enables you to create a foggy veil that provides an opportunity for you and your allies to escape from a perilous situation. It is particularly handy in combat when you are facing overwhelming odds.
Set traps: You can use Fog Cloud to set traps for your enemies by creating a dense fog t that they might stumble into. If you have laid an ambush, you can cast the spell at a chokepoint to create a situation where your enemies are forced to move blindly into your waiting arms.
Enhance stealth: Fog Cloud can be used to enhance your ability to move stealthily, making it harder for enemies to detect you. If you are trying to infiltrate a location undetected, casting the spell can provide you with a temporary veil of concealment
How Does Fog Cloud Work in D&D 5e?
Fog Cloud is a 1st-level conjuration spell that creates a cloud of fog in a designated area. The spell has a casting time of 1 action and a range of 120 feet. Once cast, the cloud of fog expands outwards from a point within range, filling a 20-foot radius sphere.
The fog is heavily obscuring, reducing visibility to only 5 feet inside the cloud. This means that creatures inside the fog cannot see beyond that distance, and all Perception checks made to see into or out of the fog are made at a disadvantage.
In addition, ranged attacks made into or out of the fog are also made at a disadvantage. The spell’s duration is up to 1 hour, or until the wind disperses the fog. The spell can also be ended early by using a strong wind (such as the gust of wind spell) to disperse the fog.
The components of the spell include verbal and somatic components, meaning that the caster must speak an incantation and make specific hand gestures to cast the spell. In addition, the caster must also provide a pinch of crushed, dried peas as a material component.
Who Can Cast Fog Cloud in D&d 5e?
In D&D 5e, the Fog Cloud spell can be cast by any character who can cast spells and has the spell on their spell list.
The spell is available to several classes, including:
Sorcerers
Wizards
Druids
Rangers (via the Hunter archetype)
Warlocks (via the Archfey patron)
The exact level at which a character gains access to the spell can vary depending on their class. For example, sorcerers gain access to Fog Cloud at 3rd level, while druids can cast the spell starting at 5th level.
In addition to having the spell on their spell list, the character must also have the necessary spellcasting ability score (Charisma, Intelligence, Wisdom, or occasionally, Dexterity) to cast the spell. The character must also have a spell slot of the appropriate level available to cast the spell.
Overall, Fog Cloud is a relatively low-level spell that is accessible to several classes, making it a versatile and useful tool for a variety of characters.
What Subclasses Can Cast Fog Cloud in D&d 5e?
In D&D 5e, several subclasses have access to the Fog Cloud spell in addition to the main spellcasting classes. Here are some examples:
Land Druid: This subclass gains access to additional spells based on their chosen terrain type. If a land druid chooses the Swamp terrain, they gain access to Fog Cloud as one of their additional spells.
Hunter Ranger: The Hunter subclass gains access to Fog Cloud at the 5th level as one of their subclass spells.
Archfey Warlock: The Archfey patron grants their warlock access to Fog Cloud as one of their expanded spells
Nature Cleric: The Nature domain grants clerics access to Fog Cloud at 3rd level.
Trickery Cleric: The Trickery domain grants clerics access to Fog Cloud at 5th level.
Races That Can Cast Fog Cloud in D&d 5e
In D&D 5e, no races have innate access to the Fog Cloud spell. However, some races have racial abilities or traits that can help them cast spells, which could potentially include Fog Cloud. Here are a few examples:
Drow: Drow has the innate ability to cast the Darkness spell once per day, which creates a similar effect to Fog Cloud in terms of obscuring vision. In addition, Drow has a +1 bonus to their Charisma score, which could be useful for characters who want to cast Fog Cloud.
High Elves: High Elves have a +2 bonus to their Intelligence score, which is the spellcasting ability score for wizards. This could make them effective wizards who can cast Fog Cloud, among other spells.
Tieflings: Tieflings have a +2 bonus to their Charisma score, which is the spellcasting ability score for several classes that can cast Fog Cloud, such as sorcerers and warlocks
Aasimar: Aasimar have a +2 bonus to their Wisdom score, which is the spellcasting ability score for clerics and druids, both of which can cast Fog Cloud.
Overall, while no race has direct access to the Fog Cloud spell, racial abilities, and bonuses can help characters of certain races be more effective spellcasters who can potentially cast Fog Cloud.
Creative and Useful Ways to Use Fog Cloud in D&d 5e
Fog Cloud is a versatile spell in D&D 5e that can be used creatively and effectively in a variety of situations. Here are some creative and useful ways to use Fog Cloud in your D&D 5e game:
Cover and Concealment
One of the most basic uses of Fog Cloud is to create cover and concealment in combat. The spell creates a 20-foot-radius sphere of fog that obscures vision, making it harder for enemies to hit you with ranged attacks.
This can be especially useful if you are facing a group of archers or spellcasters who are attacking from a distance.
Escape and Evasion
Another useful application of Fog Cloud is to create a veil of fog that allows you and your allies to escape from a dangerous situation. If you are outnumbered or outmatched in combat, casting Fog Cloud can create a barrier that slows down your enemies and gives you time to flee.
Deception and Misdirection
Fog Cloud can also be used to deceive and misdirect your enemies.
For example, you could cast the spell in a location where your party isn’t actually present, making your enemies think that you are in one place while you are actually somewhere else. This can be a useful tactic for ambushing or flanking your enemies.
Disable Spellcasting
Against spellcasting enemies, you can use Fog Cloud to disable their line of sight, making it more difficult for them to target your party with spells. This can be especially useful if you are facing a powerful spellcaster who is wreaking havoc on your party.
Combining with Other Spells and Abilities
Combining Fog Cloud with other spells and abilities can result in maximum effect. For example, a cleric could use Spiritual Weapon to attack enemies from within the Fog Cloud while maintaining Concentration on the spell.
A wizard could cast Web or Grease outside the Fog Cloud to slow down enemies before obscuring their line of sight.
Creative Use of Environment
Finally, Fog Cloud can be used creatively in combination with the environment to gain tactical advantages.
For example, you could cast the spell in a location where there are flammable materials, creating a smokescreen that hides your party while also setting the area on fire.
Alternatively, you could cast the spell in a location where there are natural or artificial hazards, such as cliffs or traps, creating a barrier that forces your enemies to either move through the hazards or find another way around.
Covering Up Traps Using Fog Cloud in D&d 5e
Fog Cloud can be a useful tool for covering up traps in D&D 5e. One common trap that Fog Cloud can help to conceal is a pit trap, which is a hole in the ground that characters can fall into.
By casting Fog Cloud over the trap, a character can make it more difficult for other characters to see the pit and potentially fall in. This can be particularly useful in situations where the party is being pursued by enemies or where time is of the essence.
Another trap that Fog Cloud can help to conceal is a pressure plate or tripwire trap. These traps often rely on characters triggering a mechanism that sets off the trap, such as stepping on a pressure plate or breaking a tripwire.
By casting Fog Cloud over the trap, a character can make it more difficult for other characters to see the mechanism and avoid triggering the trap. One important consideration when using Fog Cloud to cover up traps is that it can also obscure the trap from the party.
To avoid accidentally triggering the trap themselves, characters should take care to mark the location of the trap or to use other means, such as a rogue’s Trapfinding ability, to detect the trap before moving through the fog.
Disabling Sight-Based Spells and Abilities Using Fog Cloud in D&D 5e
Fog Cloud can be a useful tool for disabling sight-based spells and abilities in D&D 5e. Spells and abilities that rely on sight, such as the spell Scorching Ray or the ability Sneak Attack, require a clear line of sight to their targets.
By casting Fog Cloud, a character can obscure the line of sight and make it more difficult for these spells and abilities to be used effectively.
For example, a character being pursued by an enemy wizard could cast Fog Cloud to make it more difficult for the wizard to target them with spells such as Magic Missile or Fireball.
Similarly, a rogue attempting to sneak past guards could use Fog Cloud to make it more difficult for the guards to spot them, potentially allowing the rogue to use their Sneak Attack ability to greater effect.
One important consideration when using Fog Cloud to disable sight-based spells and abilities is that it can also affect the party’s ability to see.
To avoid accidentally hindering their own abilities, characters should take care to position the Fog Cloud in a way that maximizes its benefits while minimizing its drawbacks.
Disabling Opportunity Attacks Using Fog Cloud in D&D 5e
Fog Cloud can also be used to disable opportunity attacks in D&D 5e. Opportunity attacks are attacks that a character can make against an enemy when the enemy moves out of their reach.
By casting Fog Cloud, a character can obscure the enemy’s movement and make it more difficult for them to trigger opportunity attacks.
For example, a character could use Fog Cloud to move past an enemy without triggering an opportunity attack. The Fog Cloud would make it more difficult for the enemy to see the character’s movement and react in time to make an attack.
One important consideration when using Fog Cloud to disable opportunity attacks is that it can also affect the party’s ability to see.
To avoid accidentally hindering their own abilities, characters should take care to position the Fog Cloud in a way that maximizes its benefits while minimizing its drawbacks.
Fog Cloud can be a useful tool for disabling opportunity attacks in D&D 5e. By obscuring the enemy’s movement, characters can potentially move past them without triggering an attack and gain a tactical advantage.
However, it’s important to use caution and take steps to ensure that the party doesn’t accidentally hinder their own abilities.
When to Use Fog Cloud
Fog Cloud can be a useful spell for a variety of classes and builds in D&D 5e, but some may benefit from it more than others.
Classes that rely heavily on ranged attacks, such as wizards or sorcerers, may find Fog Cloud particularly useful as it can provide cover and make it more difficult for enemies to target them.
Additionally, classes that specialize in hit-and-run tactics or stealth, such as rogues or rangers, may find Fog Cloud useful for creating opportunities to move around unnoticed or disengage from combat.
Ideal Situations for Using Fog Cloud
Using Fog Cloud can be effective both before and during combat, as well as in exploration scenarios where visibility is limited. The party can use it before combat to create a cover, potentially allowing them to approach enemies undetected or set up ambushes.
During combat, they can use it to obscure the enemy’s line of sight, disable their sight-based abilities, and make it more difficult for them to target the party.
In exploration scenarios, the party can use Fog Cloud to navigate through difficult terrain or create a cover in situations where visibility is low, such as in a dense forest or a dark cave.
Strategies for Using Fog Cloud
Here are some strategies for using Fog Cloud:
- Use Fog Cloud to create a cover and reduce the likelihood of being hit by long-range attacks when facing ranged enemies.
- Use Fog Cloud against spellcasting enemies to disable their line of sight, making it more difficult for them to target the party with spells.
- Position the Fog Cloud in a way that provides cover while also allowing the party to see and attack their enemies.
- Combine Fog Cloud with other spells and abilities, such as Spiritual Weapon or Web, for maximum effect.
- Remember the Concentration mechanic when using Fog Cloud, as casting another Concentration spell or taking damage while maintaining the spell can cause it to end prematurely.
- Balance using Fog Cloud with other actions in combat or exploration, and consider other options, such as positioning or terrain, to gain advantages in combat or exploration.
Roleplaying with Fog Cloud
Incorporating Fog Cloud into a character’s backstory and personality can be a fun and creative way to add depth to their character. For example, a rogue who specializes in thievery could have learned to use Fog Cloud to cover their tracks during a heist.
Alternatively, a druid who specializes in manipulating the elements could have an affinity for creating natural weather patterns, including thick fog.
When using Fog Cloud in roleplaying scenarios, it’s important to consider the potential consequences and ethical implications of obscuring one’s surroundings.
Some players may justify using Fog Cloud to gain an advantage in combat or escape a dangerous situation, while others may see it as cowardly or dishonorable.
Roleplaying a character who uses Fog Cloud may involve grappling with these moral considerations and justifying the use of the spell to themselves and their allies.
To create a compelling and effective character that incorporates Fog Cloud, it’s important to consider their motivations and goals. Do they use the spell for personal gain, or to protect themselves or others?
Are they cautious and strategic thinkers, or impulsive and reckless? These personality traits can inform how the character uses Fog Cloud in different situations, and can also contribute to their overall character arc.
Variant Rules and Homebrew Options
There are many potential variant rules and homebrew options for Fog Cloud in D&D 5e, depending on the DM’s preferences and the campaign’s needs. Here are a few examples:
Duration
The default duration of Fog Cloud is 1 hour, and the spell does not require concentration. However, a DM could choose to modify the duration to better suit the needs of the campaign.
For example, they could make it a concentration-based spell that lasts for 10 minutes, or a non-concentration spell that lasts for only 1 minute.
Effects
The basic Fog Cloud spell creates a heavily obscured area of fog within a 20-foot radius. However, a DM could choose to modify the effects of the spell in various ways.
For example, they could increase the radius of the cloud, reduce the amount of obscuration, or add additional effects such as rain or thunder.
Utility Options
While Fog Cloud is primarily a defensive spell, a DM could choose to add additional utility options to the spell to make it more versatile. For example, they could allow a caster to shape the cloud into specific forms (such as a wall or dome) to block the line of sight or create the cover.
Customizations
Depending on the setting and the character builds of the players, a DM could choose to create customizations for Fog Cloud that better suit their needs.
For example, in a seafaring campaign, a Fog Cloud spell that creates a thick mist over the water could be particularly useful for escaping pursuing ships.
Alternatively, a character built that specializes in manipulating air and water could have access to a modified version of the spell that creates a cloud of steam or mist instead of fog.
Equalize Advantages and Disadvantages
One of the main advantages of Fog Cloud in D&D 5e is its ability to negate certain enemy advantages and ally disadvantages in combat. There are different ways by which we can accomplish our goals.
Ranged Attacks
Fog Cloud is particularly effective against enemies that rely on ranged attacks, such as archers or spellcasters. By creating a heavily obscured area of fog, the caster can prevent these enemies from targeting specific allies or using certain spells that require a line of sight.
Environmental Hazards
In certain environments, there may be hazards that pose a threat to the party, such as traps or hazards that deal damage or impose conditions. Using Fog Cloud can obscure hazards and prevent the party from accidentally triggering them.
Stealth
If the party is trying to sneak past enemies or remain hidden, Fog Cloud can be a useful tool for creating cover and obscuring their movements. This can prevent enemies from detecting the party or following them.
Crowd Control
The party can use Fog Cloud to create a barrier between themselves and their enemies in situations where they are a large amount. This can prevent enemies from getting too close or surrounding the party and can give the party more time to prepare or regroup.
Using Fog Cloud to increase weapon reach in D&D 5e
One creative use of Fog Cloud in D&D 5e is to extend the reach of a ranged weapon. Here’s how it works:
A character with a ranged weapon can fire at an enemy that is outside of their normal range but within the range of the Fog Cloud spell. The character casts Fog Cloud to create an area of heavy obscurement between themselves and the enemy.
The character can now use their ranged weapon to attack the enemy from within the Fog Cloud, as long as they have a clear line of sight.
Because the enemy is beyond the normal range of the character’s weapon, they would typically have a disadvantage on the attack roll.
However, since the Fog Cloud provides cover and obscurement, the enemy is effectively within the normal range of the character’s weapon, and they can make the attack roll without disadvantage.
The character can continue to attack the enemy in this way as long as the Fog Cloud remains in effect.
This strategy can be particularly effective for characters with ranged weapons that have a short range or low accuracy, such as crossbows or thrown weapons.
By using Fog Cloud to extend the reach of their attacks, these characters can stay at a safe distance while still dealing damage to their enemies.
