D&D 5E (2024) Dissonant Whispers vs Command in high level play on a melee character.

[ECMO3]

So I am debating which of these spells to get on a Eldritch Knight/Warlock at 15th level (11 EK/4 Warlock) as part of the Fey Touched feat.

The Warlock uses a homebrew subclass that is not relevant.

The idea is using Action Surge and Extra Attack and then using an action to cast either Dissonant Whispers or Command with disadvantage on the save due to Eldritch Strike. Dissonant Whispers would cause an AOO on a failed save, which with Warcaster would usually be Agonizing Green Flame Blade, although it could be something else as well. On the other hand Command could be cast at 2nd level targeting 2 enemies that I hit and both make their save with disadvantage.

The way I see it is Dissonant Whispers is cooler and higher damage, but it doesn't steal actions and doesn't upcast well (and my pact slots are 2nd level at this point). Command is probably more effective overall.

What do you think?

Bonus question: This character already has 20 Charisma and as such will not get an ASI out of the feat. She also already knows Misty Step as one of her EK spells. If I go for Command is it better to go Magic Initiate-Cleric for Command instead of Fey Touched. She is hard melee and I am not sure the Cleric cantrips would be more valuable than a free cast of Misty Step.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

It depends on the campaign and rest of the party composition. Dissonant Whispers is limited in scope compared to the more open ended Command, deals a bit of damage, effects undead, and isn't language dependent. Command is multi target and more open ended in what you can accomplish but there are limitations. If your campaign has lots of undead or enemies you cannot communicate with, Id go Dissonant Whispers. Otherwise Command is superior IMO as it costs them their next action.

Guidance is pretty great, so in the unlikely event that no one has that, Magic Initiate gets you that. Sadly the res tof the cleric cantrips are pretty weak. I really feel True Strike should be on the cleric list, as whacking a guy with a mace is pretty iconic. I added it in my home game, but that's not an option for everyone obviously.'

Edit: Huh, the undead limitation for Command was removed in 2024. Ugh, so many tiny changes just to throw me off.

 

[Mistwell]

Both are a Wisdom save. And at that level, both are mostly used to get the target to move away from you. Whispers does some damage, but at that level it's not a lot of damage. Command can also do halt, drop, approach. and grovel. But, at least based on my limited experience, Command is most often used for Flee.

The major different then in those forced movements is Whispers allows the target to move away "using the safest route" while Command is just "fastest available means". So for the later, if jumping off a cliff is a faster means of getting away from you than running across the bridge, they must jump off the cliff.

But in general both spells are used to give your rogue PC a second sneak attack at the target, if the Rogue is next to the target and using a melee weapon (usually a rapier). And both accomplish that job roughly the same. Whispers takes their reaction to move their move speed and it happens immediately. Command takes their entire next turn, double moving.

In general I'd say at that level Command is the more useful spell.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

The major different then in those forced movements is Whispers allows the target to move away "using the safest route" while Command is just "fastest available means". So for the later, if jumping off a cliff is a faster means of getting away from you than running across the bridge, they must jump off the cliff.

I'd say that runs into the "not directly harmful" clause of Command.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I'd say that runs into the "not directly harmful" clause of Command.

Which is not there anymore.

But jumping off a cliff seems out of scope for a first level spell.

I think moving by the fastest available means refers to the fastest speed. So of a monster has move 5ft, fly 60ft, it flies

 

[Mistwell]

I'd say that runs into the "not directly harmful" clause of Command.

That clause was removed in 2024. It definitely no longer says that. Here is all it says now, "Flee. The target spends its turn moving away from you by the fastest available means."

It USED to say, back in 2014, "The spell has no effect if ... your command is directly harmful to it." That's been removed in 2024. You can now do harm with Command.

 

[ECMO3]

Edit: Huh, the undead limitation for Command was removed in 2024. Ugh, so many tiny changes just to throw me off.

It is also not open ended any more. You can only use the commands in the spell description.

 

[Zardnaar]

I would go with command. It's an S tier spell imho.

 

[mellored]

At level 15, I wouldn't consider 3d8 damage to be much of anything.

But removing an action is always useful.