System Reference Document 5.2.1
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Poison
Given their insidious and deadly nature, poisons are 
a favorite tool among assassins and evil creatures.
 Poisons come in the following four types:
Contact.  Contact poison can be smeared on an 
object and remains potent until it is touched or 
washed off. A creature that touches contact poi -
son with exposed skin suffers its effects.
Ingested.  A creature must swallow an entire dose 
of ingested poison to suffer its effects. The dose 
can be delivered in food or a liquid. You may de -
cide that a partial dose has a reduced effect, such 
as allowing Advantage on the saving throw or 
dealing only half as much damage on a failed save.
Inhaled. Poisonous powders and gases take effect 
when inhaled. Blowing the powder or releasing 
the gas subjects creatures in a 5-foot Cube to its 
effect. The resulting cloud dissipates immediately 
afterward. Holding one’s breath is ineffective 
against inhaled poisons, as they affect nasal mem -
branes, tear ducts, and other parts of the body.
Injury. Injury poison can be applied as a Bonus 
Action to a weapon, a piece of ammunition, or 
similar object. The poison remains potent until 
delivered through a wound or washed off. A crea-
ture that takes Piercing or Slashing damage from 
an object coated with the poison is exposed to its 
effects.
Purchasing Poison
In some settings, laws prohibit the possession and 
use of poison, but an illicit dealer or unscrupulous 
apothecary might keep a hidden stash. Characters 
with criminal contacts might be able to acquire poi -
son easily. Other characters might have to make ex -
tensive inquiries and pay bribes before they acquire 
the poison they seek.
Harvesting Poison
A character can attempt to harvest poison from a 
venomous creature that is dead or has the Incapaci -
tated condition. The effort takes 1d6 minutes, after 
which the character makes a DC 20 Intelligence 
(Nature) check using a Poisoner’s Kit. On a success -
ful check, the character harvests enough poison 
for a single dose, and no additional poison can be 
harvested from that creature. On a failed check, 
the character is unable to extract any poison. If the 
character fails the check by 5 or more, the character 
is subjected to the creature’s poison.
Sample Poisons
Example poisons are detailed here in alphabetical 
order. Each poison’s description includes the sug -
gested price for a single dose of the poison, its type 
(contact, ingested, inhaled, or injury), and a descrip -
tion of the poison’s debilitating effects.
Assassin’s Blood (150 GP)
Ingested Poison
A creature subjected to Assassin’s Blood makes a 
DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, 
the creature takes 6 (1d12) Poison damage and has 
the Poisoned condition for 24 hours. On a successful 
save, the creature takes half as much damage only.
Burnt Othur Fumes (500 GP)
Inhaled Poison
A creature subjected to Burnt Othur Fumes must 
succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or 
take 10 (3d6) Poison damage, and it must repeat the 
save at the start of each of its turns. On each succes -
sive failed save, the creature takes 3 (1d6) Poison 
damage. After three successful saves, the poison 
ends.
Crawler Mucus (200 GP)
Contact Poison
A creature subjected to Crawler Mucus must suc -
ceed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or have 
the Poisoned condition for 1 minute. The creature 
also has the Paralyzed condition while Poisoned in 
this way. The creature repeats the save at the end 
of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a 
success.
Essence of Ether (300 GP)
Inhaled Poison
A creature subjected to Essence of Ether must suc -
ceed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have 
the Poisoned condition for 8 hours. The creature 
also has the Unconscious condition while Poisoned 
in this way. The creature wakes up if it takes dam -
age or if another creature takes an action to shake 
it awake.
Malice (250 GP)
Inhaled Poison
A creature subjected to Malice must succeed on a 
DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have the Poi -
soned condition for 1 hour. The creature also has 
the Blinded condition while Poisoned in this way.
Midnight Tears (1,500 GP)
Ingested Poison
A creature that ingests Midnight Tears suffers no 
effect until the stroke of midnight. Any effect that 