Illusory Script
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 1st-level illusion
- Casting Time
- 1 minute or Ritual
- Range
- Touch
- Components
- S, M (ink worth 10+ GP, which the spell consumes)
- Duration
- 10 days
- Classes
- Bard, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
You write on parchment, paper, or another suitable material and imbue it with an illusion that lasts for the duration. To you and any creatures you designate when you cast the spell, the writing appears normal, seems to be written in your hand, and conveys whatever meaning you intended when you wrote the text. To all others, the writing appears as if it were written in an unknown or magical script that is unintelligible. Alternatively, the illusion can alter the meaning, handwriting, and language of the text, though the language must be one you know.
If the spell is dispelled, the original script and the illusion both disappear.
A creature that has Truesight can read the hidden message.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 1st-level illusion
- Casting Time
- 1 minute or Ritual
- Range
- Touch
- Components
- S, M (a lead-based ink worth at least 10 gp, which the spell consumes)
- Duration
- 10 days
- Classes
- Bard, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
You write on parchment, paper, or some other suitable writing material and imbue it with a potent illusion that lasts for the duration.
To you and any creatures you designate when you cast the spell, the writing appears normal, written in your hand, and conveys whatever meaning you intended when you wrote the text. To all others, the writing appears as if it were written in an unknown or magical script that is unintelligible. Alternatively, you can cause the writing to appear to be an entirely different message, written in a different hand and language, though the language must be one you know.
Should the spell be dispelled, the original script and the illusion both disappear.
A creature with truesight can read the hidden message.
Illusory Script 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Illusory Script popularity
How popular is Illusory Script? 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.
- Top 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 25% picked level 1 Wizard spell
- Bottom 25% of all level 1 spells
- Bottom 25% picked level 1 Warlock spell
- Bottom 25% picked level 1 Bard spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Illusory Script
Comprehend Languages 1st-level divination
The spells overlap in making written language and hidden textual meaning accessible to the right reader.
Players prefer Comprehend Languages over Illusory Script
Magic Mouth 2nd-level illusion
Both are touch-based magical inscriptions that preserve or convey hidden information over an extended duration.
Players prefer Magic Mouth over Illusory Script
Arcanist's Magic Aura 2nd-level illusion
As another touch-range Illusion, it disguises magical information and supports long-term deception outside combat.
Players prefer Arcanist's Magic Aura over Illusory Script
Skywrite 2nd-level transmutation
Both create magical writing intended to communicate a chosen message rather than deal damage.
Players prefer Skywrite over Illusory Script
Distort Value 1st-level illusion
This low-level Illusion also alters the perceived meaning or significance of a written object for deceptive purposes.
Players prefer Illusory Script over Distort Value
Encode Thoughts Enchantment cantrip
It similarly stores information in an unusual magical form so that a message can be preserved or transferred.
Players prefer Illusory Script over Encode Thoughts