Knock

Utility

Level & School
2nd-level transmutation
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard

Choose an object that you can see within range. The object can be a door, a box, a chest, a set of manacles, a padlock, or another object that contains a mundane or magical means that prevents access. A target that is held shut by a mundane lock or that is stuck or barred becomes unlocked, unstuck, or unbarred. If the object has multiple locks, only one of them is unlocked.

If the target is held shut by Arcane Lock, that spell is suppressed for 10 minutes, during which time the target can be opened and closed.

When you cast the spell, a loud knock, audible up to 300 feet away, emanates from the target.

Level & School
2nd-level transmutation
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard

Choose an object that you can see within range. The object can be a door, a box, a chest, a set of manacles, a padlock, or another object that contains a mundane or magical means that prevents access.

A target that is held shut by a mundane lock or that is stuck or barred becomes unlocked, unstuck, or unbarred. If the object has multiple locks, only one of them is unlocked.

If you choose a target that is held shut with arcane lock, that spell is suppressed for 10 minutes, during which time the target can be opened and shut normally.

When you cast the spell, a loud knock, audible from as far away as 300 feet, emanates from the target object.

Knock 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The 2024 version clarifies that Arcane Lock is a spell, not a lock type, and states "opened and closed" instead of "opened and shut," but otherwise, the mechanical effects—unlocking mundane or magical locks, suppression of Arcane Lock for 10 minutes, and audible knock up to 300 feet—are essentially the same.

Spells similar to Knock

  • Arcane Lock, 2nd-level abjuration

    It directly sets the same kind of magical barrier that Knock specifically counters, so they pair as opposing object-lock spells.

  • Dispel Magic, 3rd-level abjuration

    Both remove magical effects that prevent or alter access to things, making Dispel Magic a broader way to deal with enchanted locks or wards.

  • Mage Hand, Conjuration cantrip

    Mage Hand is a cheap, ranged way to manipulate objects and open simple containers or doors, serving a similar object-focused utility role at lower power.

  • Magic Mouth, 2nd-level illusion

    Magic Mouth attaches a magical effect to an object and produces an audible effect when triggered, echoing Knock's object-targeted casting and loud sound on use.

  • Find Traps, 2nd-level divination

    Both are utility spells used when dealing with secured or dangerous objects and locations, helping handle obstacles like traps and locked mechanisms.