Earthquake (One)

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Earthquake[SRD5 OGL/CC-BY][1] [2] [3] (Spell)
Level: 8th-level spell
Class List: Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer
School: Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range:  600 feet
Components: V, S, M (a pinch of dirt, a piece of rock, and a lump of clay)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Scales: False

You create a seismic disturbance at a point on the ground that you can see within range. For the duration, an intense tremor rips through the ground in a 100-­foot-­radius circle centered on that point and shakes creatures[4] and structures in contact with the ground in that area.

The ground in the area becomes difficult terrain. Each creature on the ground that is concentrating must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature’s concentration is broken.

When you cast this spell and at the end of each turn you spend concentrating on it, each creature on the ground in the area must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is knocked prone.

This spell can have additional effects depending on the terrain in the area, as determined by the GM.

Fissures. Fissures open throughout the spell’s area at the start of your next turn after you cast the spell. A total of 1d6 such fissures open in locations chosen by the GM. Each is 1d10 × 10 feet deep, 10 feet wide, and extends from one edge of the spell’s area to the opposite side. A creature standing on a spot where a fissure opens must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or fall in. A creature that successfully saves moves with the fissure’s edge as it opens.

A fissure that opens beneath a structure causes it to automatically collapse (see below).

Structures. The tremor deals 50 bludgeoning damage to any structure in contact with the ground in the area when you cast the spell and at the start of each of your turns until the spell ends. If a structure drops to 0 hit points, it collapses and potentially damages nearby creatures. A creature within half [5] the distance of a structure’s height must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 5d6 bludgeoning damage, is knocked prone, and is buried in the rubble, requiring a DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check as an action to escape. The GM can adjust the DC higher or lower, depending on the nature of the rubble. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and doesn’t fall prone or become buried.


Sources and Notes[edit]

  1. SRD5:
  2. School — Jeremy Crawford, with Christopher Perkins, Ray Winninger (29 September 2022). UA 2022 Expert Classes. (Dungeons and Dragons One D&D) Wizards of the Coast.
  3. class tags — WotC RPG Team (5 October 2023). UA 2023 Bastions and Cantrips. (Dungeons and Dragons One D&D) Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Rule Tip: You're a Creature: A creature is anything that belongs to one of the creature types listed in the introduction of the Monster Manual (5e). Player characters — including your character — are all creatures, and most of them are humanoids, one of the game’s types. — UA 2020 Subclasses Part 3
  5. Rule Tip: Round Down. Whenever you end up with a fraction in the game, round down, even if the fraction is one-half or greater, unless a rule explicitly tells you to round up. - Player's Handbook (5e) p.7, UA 2020 Subclasses Part 3.
One D&D is Playtest Material Only

These game mechanics are in draft form, usable in your D&D campaign but not refined by full game development and editing. They aren’t officially part of the game and aren’t permitted in D&D Adventurers League events, nor are they available for use on D&D Beyond.

— D&D Beyond One D&D Playtest material
Unearthed Arcana

The material in Unearthed Arcana is not Official Material. It is presented for playtesting and to spark your imagination. These game mechanics are in draft form, usable in your campaign but not refined by final game development and editing. They are not officially part of the game. For these reasons, material in this column is not legal in D&D Adventurers League events.

—Notice on most 5e Unearthed Arcana PDFs

Main PageOne D&DSpell
Main PageOne D&DUnearthed Arcana

Facts about "Earthquake (One)"
Author"Varied" +
Canontrue +
Cast Time1 action +
ComponentV +, S + and M +
Concentrationtrue +
Level8 +
NameEarthquake +
OneDnD Playtesttrue +
Publication"Varied" +
Range600 feet +
SchoolTransmutation +
SortTextEarthquake (One) One +
Spell ListCleric +, Druid + and Sorcerer +
Unearthed Arcanatrue +