Detect Magic

A
Utility

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

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 spell that reveals nearby magic, showing faint auras and the school behind spell effects with
swift inspection

Detect Magic is a Action Economy spell. Action Economy spells grant you more choices on future turns.

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 and useful
insight

Detect Magic 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 divination
Casting Time
Action or Ritual
Range
Self
Components
V, S
Duration
Concentration, up to 10 minutes
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

For the duration, you sense the presence of magical effects within 30 feet of yourself. If you sense such effects, you can take the Magic action to see a faint aura around any visible creature or object in the area that bears the magic, and if an effect was created by a spell, you learn the spell's school of magic.

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
Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger, Sorcerer, Wizard

For the duration, you sense the presence of magic within 30 feet of you. If you sense magic in this way, you can use your action to see a faint aura around any visible creature or object in the area that bears magic, and you learn its school of magic, if any.

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 Magic 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Now a ritual, and Warlocks can cast it. It also now senses magical effects rather than magic in general, and when an effect comes from a spell, you learn that spell’s school instead of the aura’s school.

Detect Magic popularity

Detect Magic is one of the most popular level 1 spells in the game. Choosing it adds a D&D staple to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Detect Magic

  • Detect Evil and Good 1st-level divination

    It is a 1st-level self-range divination that senses supernatural presences for a short, concentration-limited duration, making it functionally close to this spell.

  • Detect Poison and Disease 1st-level divination

    This spell shares the same level, casting time, range, and sensing-for-duration pattern and likewise reveals hidden hazardous conditions around the caster.

  • Identify 1st-level divination

    Identify is a low-level divination that reveals magical properties of objects and spells, so players reach for it in similar investigative situations.

  • Comprehend Languages 1st-level divination

    While different in subject matter, it is a 1st-level divination utility that provides crucial information a party might need while exploring or investigating.

  • True Seeing 6th-level divination

    True Seeing is a higher-level information-focused divination which uncovers hidden or illusionary aspects of creatures and objects, serving similar detection needs at greater power.

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