[Sticky] SUGGESTION FOR DUMMIES: How to Administer the 2024 Suggestion Spell

SUGGESTION FOR DUMMIES: How to Administer the 2024 Suggestion Spell

by Baron Maximilion d’Vadalis, The Monster Whisperer(TM)

Few spells evoke more controversy than the second level spell Suggestion. This is mostly because the wording is completely open ended, which necessitates a certain amount of judgement by the DM. Luckily the new 2024 PHB version tightens things up considerably, leaving much less room for subjective interpretation.

Here is the new 2024 wording:

You suggest a course of activity—described in no more than 25 words—to one creature you can see within range that can hear and understand you. The suggestion must sound achievable and not involve anything that would obviously deal damage to the target or it<sic> allies. For example, you could say, "Fetch the key to the cult's treasure vault, and give the key to me." Or you could say, "Stop fighting, leave this library peacefully, and don't return."

The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have the Charmed condition for the duration or until you or your allies deal damage to the target. The Charmed target pursues the suggestion to the best of its ability. The suggested activity can continue for the entire duration, but if the suggested activity can be completed in a shorter time, the spell ends for the target upon completing it.

When done correctly, this spell can easily be used to enthral a target for a potential duration of up to 8 hours.

Here is a logical breakdown of the RAW criteria for determining whether a certain proposed suggestion is valid or not:
1. Can you see the target?
2. Is the target within 30’?
3. Can the target understand you?
4. Did the target fail its saving throw?
5. Can the target be affected by Charm effects?
6. Is the suggestion 25 words or less?
7. Does the suggestion sound achievable?
8. Can the suggestion be carried out without obviously causing one or more hit points of damage to the target or its allies?

IFF the answer to all 8 questions is “yes” then a successful outcome is required by RAW. The target immediately pursues the suggested course of action to the best of its ability.

Separate from the above effects, the target is also subjected to the following additional effects for the entire duration:
1. The Charmed condition, which entails the following:
2. The target can't attack the charmer or target the charmer with damaging abilities or magical effects.
3. The charmer has Advantage on any ability check to interact with the target socially.

The target continues under these effects and performs the suggested course of activity until the first of the following conditions occurs:
A. Concentration is broken.
B. The caster or their allies inflict one or more hit points of damage to the target.
C. The suggested activity is completed.
D. The suggested course of action changes to involve anything that would obviously deal damage to the target or its allies.
E. Eight hours has elapsed.

EXTENDED EXAMPLE:

Questions 1 to 6 are trivial to adjudicate so we can presume the affirmative. Only questions 7 and 8 require any meaningful adjudication. For the purposes of illustration lets consider the two-word Suggestion to “Obey me!”

7. Does the suggestion to "obey me" sound achievable? Obviously yes, otherwise all forms of military or institutional bureaucracy would be impossible. People obey the commands of others on a routine basis in all forms of hierarchical social structures. The test is not whether the course of action ALWAYS succeeds, but merely that it could succeed. Clearly it is possible for a vassal to obey the orders of a lord, since it happens routinely.

8. Can the suggestion to "obey me" be carried out without obviously causing one or more hit points of damage to the target or its allies? Obviously yes. There are innumerable instances of peacetime institutions where bureaucrats obey their superiors without suffering physical violence. Furthermore, even in military organizations where orders must be obeyed at all times--even and especially during physical violence--there are numerous situations where doing so does not result in physical harm, such as for those who operate in logistical or intelligence roles far away from active combat.

If all answers are in the affirmative then the suggested course of action to “obey me” is successful by RAW and the target must begin obeying the caster "to the best of their ability." From that point on the target is compelled to obey unless the instructions violate one of the preconditions, such as ordering the target to attack their former allies. If that happens the spell immediately ends. Also, if one of the five end conditions occurs during the proscribed course of action then the spell will immediately end.

One can then add additional flavour to the wording of the Suggestion, so long as the functional core of "Obey Me" remains and the flavour does not add elements that would violate any of the 8 prerequisite conditions. Thus the optimal formula for a 2024 Suggestion spell cast with the intention of enthralling a target for 8 hours would be:

“…(insert flavour)… …OBEY ME… …(insert flavour).”

Example, with flavour inserted, word count exactly 25:
"I am your Liege Lord Baron Maximilion d'Vadalis and your are my dutiful and obedient vassal. OBEY ME, and you shall share in my glory."

The above guidelines are official and binding RAW that must be followed for all PureRAWdnd games.

Have fun enthralling your enemies! 🙂