Detect Evil and Good

A
Utility

Detect Evil and Good is a Utility spell. Utility spells solve problems outside of combat or provide unique situational advantages.

See all Utility spells →
 spell of
revealing hidden foes

Detect Evil and Good is a Information spell. Information spells provide ways to transmit, perceive, detect, or reveal hidden or unknown information.

See all Information spells →
 that lets you sense nearby outsiders, undead, and holy wards.

2024 Rules
Level & School
1st-level divination
Casting Time
Action
Range
Self
Components
V, S
Duration
Concentration, up to 10 minutes
Classes
Cleric, Paladin

For the duration, you sense the location of any Aberration, Celestial, Elemental, Fey, Fiend, or Undead within 30 feet of yourself. You also sense whether the Hallow spell is active there and, if so, where.

The spell is blocked by 1 foot of stone, dirt, or wood; 1 inch of metal; or a thin sheet of lead.

2014 Rules
Level & School
1st-level divination
Casting Time
Action
Range
Self
Components
V, S
Duration
Concentration, 10 minutes
Classes
Cleric, Paladin

For the duration, you know if there is an aberration, celestial, elemental, fey, fiend, or undead within 30 feet of you, as well as where the creature is located. Similarly, you know if there is a place or object within 30 feet of you that has been magically consecrated or desecrated.

The spell can penetrate most barriers, but it is blocked by 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt.

Detect Evil and Good 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

It no longer detects any magically consecrated or desecrated place or object; it only senses whether Hallow is active there and where. The barrier limits also changed: it’s now blocked by 1 foot of stone, dirt, or wood, or 1 inch of metal, instead of 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, 3 feet of wood or dirt, and thin lead.

Detect Evil and Good popularity

How popular is Detect Evil and Good? It is a commonly found spell in the game, but is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may be situational for many spellbooks.

Spells similar to Detect Evil and Good