Locate Creature

Utility Information

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.

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 2024 version specifies "up to 1 hour" duration, clarifying it's not a fixed duration. It states "if that creature is within 1,000 feet" instead of "as long as," clarifying the range. It adds "any thickness of lead" blocking the path, replacing "running water at least 10 feet wide." It explicitly states "under the effects of a Flesh to Stone or Polymorph spell" for form changes.

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.