Alarm

A
Utility

Alarm is a Utility spell. Utility spells solve problems outside of combat or provide unique situational advantages.

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 spell that wards a door, window, or small area, alerting you to intruders with a bell or mental ping and
intruder alerts

Alarm is a Information spell. Information spells provide ways to transmit, perceive, detect, or reveal hidden or unknown information.

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.

2024 Rules
Level & School
1st-level abjuration
Casting Time
1 minute or Ritual
Range
30 feet
Components
V, S, M (a bell and silver wire)
Duration
8 hours
Classes
Ranger, Wizard

You set an alarm against intrusion. Choose a door, a window, or an area within range that is no larger than a 20-foot Cube. Until the spell ends, an alarm alerts you whenever a creature touches or enters the warded area. When you cast the spell, you can designate creatures that won't set off the alarm. You also choose whether the alarm is audible or mental:

Audible Alarm. The alarm produces the sound of a handbell for 10 seconds within 60 feet of the warded area.

Mental Alarm. You are alerted by a mental ping if you are within 1 mile of the warded area. This ping awakens you if you're asleep.

2014 Rules
Level & School
1st-level abjuration
Casting Time
1 minute
Range
30 feet
Components
V, S, M (a tiny bell and a piece of fine silver wire)
Duration
8 hours
Classes
Ranger, Wizard

You set an alarm against unwanted intrusion. Choose a door, a window, or an area within range that is no larger than a 20-foot cube. Until the spell ends, an alarm alerts you whenever a Tiny or larger creature touches or enters the warded area. When you cast the spell, you can designate creatures that won't set off the alarm. You also choose whether the alarm is mental or audible.

A mental alarm alerts you with a ping in your mind if you are within 1 mile of the warded area. This ping awakens you if you are sleeping.

An audible alarm produces the sound of a hand bell for 10 seconds within 60 feet.

Alarm 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Alarm now has the Ritual tag. It also no longer limits the trigger to Tiny or larger creatures, so any creature touching or entering the warded area can set it off.

Alarm popularity

Alarm is a seldom chosen level 1 spell. Choosing it adds a unique option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Alarm

  • Arcane Lock 2nd-level abjuration

    Both are low-level abjuration effects that secure doors or entry points to prevent or detect intrusion.

  • Glyph of Warding 3rd-level abjuration

    It creates a placed, triggerable magical ward that watches an area until triggered, which is conceptually very close to an alarm's triggered protection.

  • Magic Mouth 2nd-level illusion

    Magic Mouth is a placed, triggered effect that produces an audible response when someone activates it, similar to Alarm's audible option.

  • Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound 4th-level conjuration

    Faithful Hound creates a persistent guardian that detects and reacts to intruders over an extended period, much like an alarmed sentinel.

  • Find Familiar 1st-level conjuration

    A familiar can be stationed to watch an area and relay information back to the caster, providing an information-and-alerting function akin to Alarm's mental notice.