The upcomingDungeons & Dragonsshowon Netflix has the chance to embrace this underrated spell from the tabletop. While there are a lot ofDungeons & Dragonsmovies and showsfor the Netflix series to pay homage to, the new series should focus on the tabletop game’s mechanics and lore. There is so much that has been left unexplored within those settings that could add to the series' unique tone, from creatures to locations to magic types.
The history within the Forgotten Realms has only been lightly touched upon by pieces ofDungeons & Dragonsmedia, likely due to not having time to dive into the intricate detailing of the setting.The Forgotten Realms booksand tabletop quirks, however, would give the series a fun edge, especially if it adds in some of the newer aspects that have been introduced to the game. This includes the spell known as Tasha’s Hideous Laughter.
Tasha’s Hideous Laughter Is A Perfect D&D Spell To Make The Jump To The Screen
The Spell Could Add To The Show’s Humor
Tasha’s Hideous Laughter could help the series in balancing out its humor.Tasha’s Hideous Laughter is a low-level enchantment that sends the affected creature into a fit of uncontrollable, crippling laughterafter said creature makes a failed Wisdom saving throw. The spell is largely limited to just the Bard and Wizard classes, but its wider implications are more intriguing and helpful for the series' tone and character dynamics.
By including Tasha’s Hideous Laughter in its system, theDungeons & Dragonsseries could add to the humor through various situations. A character could use the spell to incapacitate a monologuing foe, their laughter confusing or impressing the party after a few moments.The spell could also allow a character to tell a bad joke that showcases the party’s dynamics,as some complain or join in the laughter. That being said, this spell could do more than help theNetflix show balance the humor and fantasyelements of its story.
Netflix’s Dungeons & Dragons Show Can Highlight Many Underrated Spells From The Game
Tasha’s Hidious Laughter Gives Many Opportunities For Teamwork
Adding in Tasha’s Hideous Laughter to theDungeons & Dragonsseries would highlight components of the spell some players may not have considered, paving the way for other underutilized spells in later seasons. This spell even has some unseen benefits, such as how the incapacitation condition could be useful in different ways.The spell also allows characters to work together to maintain it,which is one of the things that makesDungeons & Dragonsso compelling.
If the Netflix series were to include this spell, it would give the combat a new, dynamic layer that plays into the group’s strengths while adding more slapstick, even if just for one specific segment. Not only that, but it would also give the combat more shared attack moments, which can sometimes be difficult to pull off in a fantasy group with diverse skills. More importantly, other lesser-known spells could be given the same treatment, with theDungeons & Dragonsshow going beyond their surface-level descriptions.
Dungeons & Dragons
TheDungeons & Dragonsfranchise is a fantasy adventure series based on the iconic tabletop role-playing game. The franchise includes both live-action and animated adaptations, with the most notable being the recent filmDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves(2023), which brought the fantasy world of D&D to a broader audience with its blend of humor, action, and classic D&D elements. The franchise explores themes of heroism, friendship, and the unpredictable nature of adventuring in a magical world filled with dragons, wizards, and mythical creatures.
