Arcanist's Magic Aura

A
Utility

Arcanist's Magic Aura is a Utility spell. Utility spells solve problems outside of combat or provide unique situational advantages.

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spell that hides a creature’s true type or makes an object mimic, mask, or fake its magical aura.

2024 Rules

Level & School
2nd-level illusion
Casting Time
Action
Range
Touch
Components
V, S, M (a small square of silk)
Duration
24 hours
Classes
Wizard
Source
Player's Handbook (2024)

With a touch, you place an illusion on a willing creature or an object that isn't being worn or carried. A creature gains the Mask effect below, and an object gains the False Aura effect below. The effect lasts for the duration. If you cast the spell on the same target every day for 30 days, the illusion lasts until dispelled.

Mask (Creature). Choose a creature type other than the target's actual type. Spells and other magical effects treat the target as if it were a creature of the chosen type.

False Aura (Object). You change the way the target appears to spells and magical effects that detect magical auras, such as Detect Magic. You can make a nonmagical object appear magical, make a magic item appear nonmagical, or change the object's aura so that it appears to belong to a school of magic you choose.

2014 Rules

Level & School
2nd-level illusion
Casting Time
Action
Range
Touch
Components
V, S, M (a small square of silk)
Duration
24 hours
Classes
Wizard
Source
Player's Handbook (2014)

You place an illusion on a creature or an object you touch so that divination spells reveal false information about it. The target can be a willing creature or an object that isn't being carried or worn by another creature.

When you cast the spell, choose one or both of the following effects. The effect lasts for the duration. If you cast this spell on the same creature or object every day for 30 days, placing the same effect on it each time, the illusion lasts until it is dispelled.

False Aura. You change the way the target appears to spells and magical effects, such as detect magic, that detect magical auras. You can make a nonmagical object appear magical, a magical object appear nonmagical, or change the object's magical aura so that it appears to belong to a specific school of magic that you choose. When you use this effect on an object, you can make the false magic apparent to any creature that handles the item.

Mask. You change the way the target appears to spells and magical effects that detect creature types, such as a paladin's {@classFeature Divine Sense|Paladin|PHB|1} or the trigger of a symbol spell. You choose a creature type and other spells and magical effects treat the target as if it were a creature of that type or of that alignment.

Arcanist's Magic Aura 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

A creature now only gets Mask and an object only gets False Aura; you can’t apply both to the same target anymore. Mask no longer can mimic an alignment, and False Aura no longer lets you make the item’s false magic apparent by handling it.

Arcanist's Magic Aura popularity

How popular is Arcanist's Magic Aura? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, and it is almost never chosen when available. This spell is one that few spellcasters would ever acquire.

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