Contingency

A
Utility

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

See all Utility spells →
 spell that stores a protective or helpful spell to trigger later, letting you prepare for danger before it strikes.

2024 Rules
Level & School
6th-level abjuration
Casting Time
10 minutes
Range
Self
Components
V, S, M (a gem-incrusted statuette of yourself worth 1,500+ GP)
Duration
10 days
Classes
Wizard

Choose a spell of level 5 or lower that you can cast, that has a casting time of an action, and that can target you. You cast that spell—called the contingent spell—as part of casting Contingency, expending spell slots for both, but the contingent spell doesn't come into effect. Instead, it takes effect when a certain trigger occurs. You describe that trigger when you cast the two spells. For example, a Contingency cast with Water Breathing might stipulate that Water Breathing comes into effect when you are engulfed in water or a similar liquid.

The contingent spell takes effect immediately after the trigger occurs for the first time, whether or not you want it to, and then Contingency ends.

The contingent spell takes effect only on you, even if it can normally target others. You can use only one Contingency spell at a time. If you cast this spell again, the effect of another Contingency spell on you ends. Also, Contingency ends on you if its material component is ever not on your person.

2014 Rules
Level & School
6th-level evocation
Casting Time
10 minutes
Range
Self
Components
V, S, M (a statuette of yourself carved from ivory and decorated with gems worth at least 1,500 gp)
Duration
10 days
Classes
Wizard

Choose a spell of 5th level or lower that you can cast, that has a casting time of 1 action, and that can target you. You cast that spell-called the contingent spell-as part of casting contingency, expending spell slots for both, but the contingent spell doesn't come into effect. Instead, it takes effect when a certain circumstance occurs. You describe that circumstance when you cast the two spells. For example, a contingency cast with water breathing might stipulate that water breathing comes into effect when you are engulfed in water or a similar liquid.

The contingent spell takes effect immediately after the circumstance is met for the first time, whether or not you want it to, and then contingency ends.

The contingent spell takes effect only on you, even if it can normally target others. You can use only one contingency spell at a time. If you cast this spell again, the effect of another contingency spell on you ends. Also, contingency ends on you if its material component is ever not on your person.

Contingency 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Effectively the same spell. The 2024 version is reworded but functions identically.

Spells similar to Contingency

  • Glyph of Warding 3rd-level abjuration

    Both let a caster prepare a spell-like effect that sits dormant until a defined trigger activates it.

  • Magic Mouth 2nd-level illusion

    Like Contingency, it requires you to set a trigger and have an effect occur later rather than immediately when cast.

  • Programmed Illusion 6th-level illusion

    You create an effect ahead of time and specify the conditions that cause it to run, making its setup-and-trigger behavior closely match Contingency's.

  • Symbol 7th-level abjuration

    This spell stores an effect and activates upon a condition you choose, mirroring Contingency's delayed, conditional activation model.

  • Drawmij's Instant Summons 6th-level conjuration

    Although focused on items, it provides a prepared, long‑term utility that you can call into effect later, which echoes Contingency's prepare-and-wait design.