Locate Creature

A
Utility

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

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 spell that reveals a familiar creature’s direction and movement, or helps you
gather information

Locate Creature is a Information spell. Information spells provide ways to transmit, perceive, detect, or reveal hidden or unknown information.

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 on the nearest of a kind.

2024 Rules
Level & School
4th-level divination
Casting Time
Action
Range
Self
Components
V, S, M (fur from a bloodhound)
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 hour
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger, Wizard

Describe or name a creature that is familiar to you. You sense the direction to the creature's location if that creature is within 1,000 feet of you. If the creature is moving, you know the direction of its movement.

The spell can locate a specific creature known to you or the nearest creature of a specific kind (such as a human or a unicorn) if you have seen such a creature up close—within 30 feet—at least once. If the creature you described or named is in a different form, such as under the effects of a Flesh to Stone or Polymorph spell, this spell doesn't locate the creature.

This spell can't locate a creature if any thickness of lead blocks a direct path between you and the creature.

2014 Rules
Level & School
4th-level divination
Casting Time
Action
Range
Self
Components
V, S, M (a bit of fur from a bloodhound)
Duration
Concentration, 1 hour
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger, Wizard

Describe or name a creature that is familiar to you. You sense the direction to the creature's location, as long as that creature is within 1,000 feet of you. If the creature is moving, you know the direction of its movement.

The spell can locate a specific creature known to you, or the nearest creature of a specific kind (such as a human or a unicorn), so long as you have seen such a creature up close-within 30 feet-at least once. If the creature you described or named is in a different form, such as being under the effects of a polymorph spell, this spell doesn't locate the creature.

This spell can't locate a creature if running water at least 10 feet wide blocks a direct path between you and the creature.

Locate Creature 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The only real change is the blocker: in 2024, any thickness of lead blocks the spell’s path, replacing the 2014 limit that only running water at least 10 feet wide could block it. Everything else works the same.

Locate Creature popularity

Locate Creature is a commonly chosen level 4 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Locate Creature

  • Locate Object 2nd-level divination

    It uses the same sensing concept to find something familiar to you, differing mainly in target type and level.

  • Locate Animals or Plants 2nd-level divination

    This spell is a close thematic match that narrows detection to living creatures of a category and is cast in a similar, searchable way.

  • Clairvoyance 3rd-level divination

    Both provide remote sensory information about a location or being and require concentration to maintain that awareness.

  • Scrying 5th-level divination

    Scrying and this spell let you learn the whereabouts of a specific creature from afar, with scrying offering a more detailed but higher-level option.

  • Find the Path 6th-level divination

    While focused on destinations rather than creatures, it similarly gives directional guidance over long durations for navigation.