What Is an Emanation in 5E?¶
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If you’ve stumbled across powers or abilities that create a "10 foot emanation" or a "30 foot emanation" you might wonder: what exactly does that mean? How is it different from a cone, burst, or aura?
An emanation is an area of effect that radiates outward from the creature (typically the caster or monster) in all directions, forming a perfect circle. It's often used for magical auras, divine pulses, or environmental effects like shrieks or miasmas.
It’s essentially a circular aura that sweeps out from the creature. It's useful for waves of cold, pulses of necrotic energy, or divine light.
What It Used to Be Called
In the original 2014 edition of 5E, these effects were often described in long-form:
“Each creature within 10 feet of you...” or
“An aura extends 30 feet in every direction centered on you...”
Starting in 2024-era rules (and Foe Foundry), the keyword emanation is used instead. It's just a shorthand to make rules clearer and faster to parse.
Common Emanation Sizes¶
| Radius | Area Size | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft | 5x5 | Close-range pulses (roars, shocks) |
| 15 ft | 7x7 | Medium auras (Spirit Guardians, fear fields) |
| 30 ft | 13x13 | Battlefield control (boss auras, divine storms) |
| 60 ft | 25x25 | Legendary-scale auras, domain-wide effects |
DM Tips: Make Emanations Matter¶
Emanations shine when they change how players move. Use them for:
- Lingering auras: A Wight's aura of despair or a solar’s divine halo
- Triggered pulses: A Banshee’s scream or psychic nova
Here are two emanation examples - Raging Flames and Draconic Standard
Raging Flames
Actions
Raging Flames (Recharge 5-6). The wizard creates a Medium Raging Flames Token (AC/DC 12, 3 Charges) in an unoccupied space within 30 feet. Each creature that starts its turn within a 30 foot emanation of the Raging Flames takes 11 (2d10) fire damage.
Draconic Standard
Actions
Aspirant's Breath (When Draconic Standard Charged). The kobold breathes draconic force in a 15 ft cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 13 Dexterity save. On a failure, the creature takes 16 (3d10) force damage or half as much on a success.
Bonus Actions
Draconic Standard (1/day). The kobold reverently places its Draconic Standard Token (AC/DC 10, 1 Charges) in an unoccupied space within 5ft. Whenever another Kobold dies within a 60ft emanation of the standard, its draconic zeal is absorbed by the standard, which gains 1 charge. Whenever the standard has at least 5 charges, it grants all Kobolds within a 60 foot emanation the ability to use the Aspirant's Breath as an Action at the cost of expending a charge.
Try It Out¶
Foe Foundry is a free 5E monster generator that can create monsters with emanation powers. For example, the Kobold Ascendant has a fun and unique emanation ability:
Kobold Ascendant
Summoned with Foe FoundrySmall Humanoid (Dragon*, Kobold)
AC 17 (Splint Armor) Initiative +0 (10)
HP 27 (6d6 + 6)
Speed 30 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 15 | +2 | +2 |
| Dex | 11 | +0 | +0 |
| Con | 12 | +1 | +1 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 8 | -1 | -1 |
| Wis | 7 | -2 | -2 |
| Cha | 8 | -1 | -1 |
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 8
Languages Common, Draconic
CR 1 (200 XP; PB +2)
Traits
Draconic Servants. The kobold has resistance to the damage type of its draconic overlord (Fire, Cold, Lightning, Poison, or Acid). Additionally, if the kobold is within 60 feet of a True Dragon then its attacks deal an additional 1d6 damage of that dragon's element.
Phalanx. The kobold gains a +1 bonus to its AC and d20 tests whenever another ally with this trait is within 5 feet.
Actions
Multiattack. The kobold makes two Dragonfang Halberd attacks.
Dragonfang Halberd. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 10ft., one target. Hit 7 (1d10 + 2) slashing damage. If the attack misses, the target still takes 2 slashing damage.
Aspirant's Breath (When Draconic Standard Charged). The kobold breathes draconic force in a 15 ft cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 12 Dexterity save. On a failure, the creature takes 11 (2d10) force damage or half as much on a success.
Bonus Actions
Draconic Standard (1/day). The kobold reverently places its Draconic Standard Token (AC/DC 10, 1 Charges) in an unoccupied space within 5ft. Whenever another Kobold dies within a 60ft emanation of the standard, its draconic zeal is absorbed by the standard, which gains 1 charge. Whenever the standard has at least 5 charges, it grants all Kobolds within a 60 foot emanation the ability to use the Aspirant's Breath as an Action at the cost of expending a charge.
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