D&D 5E Charm Person After Effect

[Samloyal23]

So the description of the Charm Person spell says that a target of the spell realizes that it has been used on him or her as soon as the spell ends. How does this not make every user of this spell a slew of enemies? What Wizard would want to use the spell knowing it will make an enemy out of the target? There has to be a work around to avoid the target knowing a charm has changed his or her behaviour...

 

[iserith]

The spell does not say what happens when the target realizes after the spell ends that it was charmed. The creature could become hostile, but that doesn't necessarily mean violent, only that it may oppose the caster's goals. Further, even if hostile (there's no guarantee of this), the target might not have the means to do anything about it. So really it's on the caster to choose targets wisely and, when advisable, work to make amends.

 

[commandercrud]

You wouldn't use it on friends in the first place.

 

[jgsugden]

There is a work around for School of Enchantment wizards at level 14.

For other PCs, it is not meant as a way to mind control enemies, it is meant as a way to temporarily turn an enemy into a friend, or to get what you need from a new friend quickly. It is not meant as a 'no repurcussions' way to change a person's opinion of you - as theat gets into icky territory. For a limited version of that, you can try the suggestion spell. If they do not recognize yur spellcasting, this can work (which is great for still sorcerers).

 

[BookTenTiger]

So the description of the Charm Person spell says that a target of the spell realizes that it has been used on him or her as soon as the spell ends. How does this not make every user of this spell a slew of enemies? What Wizard would want to use the spell knowing it will make an enemy out of the target? There has to be a work around to avoid the target knowing a charm has changed his or her behaviour...

I think of Charm Person as "auto success with a cost." The spellcaster has to consider the power of the individual they are charming: too powerful, and the price might be too high. Try to charm a king? They're going to be angry after and they have an army! Charm the lad who keeps the kitchen fires burning? He'll know he's been charmed, but what can he do about it?

 

[MatthewJHanson]

You wouldn't use it on friends in the first place.

This. You're not meant to just walk through town charming everybody. You're only supposed to use it on people who will probably be your enemies anyway.

Also it's a first level-spell so don't expect too much out of it.

 

[toucanbuzz]

...How does this not make every user of this spell a slew of enemies? What Wizard would want to use the spell knowing it will make an enemy out of the target?...

Both of the below points were covered in Sage Advice a few years ago.

1. Identity. If you charm someone secretly from a distance and then don't interact with them, then there is no perceptible effect. The target doesn't know it's been charmed because it is not interacting with you. Once it does, it'd realize its behavior and responses are being manipulated.

2. Disguise. The target knows it was charmed by the person you appear to be. So, if you want to Charm, change your appearance.

 

[MarkB]

1. Identity. If you charm someone secretly from a distance and then don't interact with them, then there is no perceptible effect. The target doesn't know it's been charmed because it is not interacting with you. Once it does, it'd realize its behavior and responses are being manipulated.

But then what's the point of doing it? Charm Person literally only affects the manner in which the target interacts with you.

Also, it's a spell with a 30-foot range, with verbal and somatic components, which requires line of sight. Barring subtle spell metamagic, how is the target not going to notice you doing it?

 

[Oofta]

Would you be happy with someone that temporarily drugged you without your consent to be more compliant? Well, that's how someone is going to react to being charmed. Altering someone's innermost thoughts is about as invasive as you can get.

So disguise yourself first unless you want to piss people off or live with the consequences.

 

[jayoungr]

My groups tend to use it on people they don't expect to see again.