Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 ft
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration
, up to 1 minute
Save: Wisdom
Conditions: Charmed
One creature that you can see within range must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have the Charmed condition for the duration. The creature succeeds automatically if it isn’t Humanoid.
A spectral crown appears on the Charmed target's head, and it must use its action before moving on each of its turns to make a melee attack against a creature other than itself that you mentally choose. The target can act normally on its turn if you choose no creature or if no creature is within its reach. The target repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the spell on itself on a success.
On your later turns, you must take the Magic action to maintain control of the target, or the spell ends.
Verbal Component:
Corona Dementiae
Verbal Component (Alternative):
In quiet sadness, your mind I drown, with iron madness, your head I crown.
Classes: Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard, Rogue
Domain: Madness
Tags: Compulsion, Control
Source: Player's Handbook (2024) (page 259)
View Crown of Madness Spell Card
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Other Planes and Effects
Below is information about this spell as it relates to other planes and area of effects (i.e. underwater). Some of the information is pulled official D&D sources (such as books and the twitter feeds of D&D officials), but other information is derived from forums and online discussions. As always, it is up to the DM to decide how they wish to handle spell effects.
Underwater - Verbal Component
Official rules have been verified by Jeremy Crawford - "No rule prohibits verbal components from working underwater. Keep in mind that if you're talking, you're not holding your breath." Hence, while submerged underwater and holding its breath, a creature can cast a spell that requires a verbal component. After casting the spell, if the creature can't breathe underwater, it immediately runs out of breath. The creature can survive for a number of rounds equal to its Constitution modifier (minimum of 1 round).
