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
Artificer, Ranger, Wizard
Source
Player's Handbook (2024)

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 or Ritual
Range
30 feet
Components
V, S, M (a tiny bell and a piece of fine silver wire)
Duration
8 hours
Classes
Artificer, Ranger, Wizard
Source
Player's Handbook (2014)

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

The 2024 version now triggers when any creature touches or enters the warded area, instead of only Tiny or larger creatures.

How popular is Alarm in 5e?

Alarm is the #30 most popular level 1 spell (of 82) and the #12 most picked level 1 Wizard spell (of 45).

Among level 1 spells, Alarm ranks just below Tasha's Hideous Laughter and just above Entangle in popularity.

Read about how this popularity data is calculated.

Spells similar to Alarm