Detect Poison and Disease

A
Utility

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

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spell that reveals poisons, venomous creatures, and magical contagions nearby, giving you
key details

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

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about each.

2024 Rules

Level & School
1st-level divination
Casting Time
Action or Ritual
Range
Self
Components
V, S, M (a yew leaf)
Duration
Concentration, up to 10 minutes
Classes
Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger

For the duration, you sense the location of poisons, poisonous or venomous creatures, and magical contagions within 30 feet of yourself. You sense the kind of poison, creature, or contagion in each case.

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, M (a yew leaf)
Duration
Concentration, 10 minutes
Classes
Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger

For the duration, you can sense the presence and location of poisons, poisonous creatures, and diseases within 30 feet of you. You also identify the kind of poison, poisonous creature, or disease in each case.

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 Poison and Disease 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

It now has the Ritual tag. It no longer detects diseases; instead, it detects magical contagions. It also expands the creature detection to poisonous or venomous creatures.

Detect Poison and Disease popularity

How popular is Detect Poison and Disease? 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.

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