Minor Illusion

  • Level & School
    Illusion cantrip
  • Casting Time
    Action
  • Range
    30 feet
  • Components
    S, M (a bit of fleece)
  • Duration
    1 minute
  • Classes
    Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

You create a sound or an image of an object within range that lasts for the duration. See the descriptions below for the effects of each. The illusion ends if you cast this spell again. If a creature takes a Study action to examine the sound or image, the creature can determine that it is an illusion with a successful Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC. If a creature discerns the illusion for what it is, the illusion becomes faint to the creature.

Sound. If you create a sound, its volume can range from a whisper to a scream. It can be your voice, someone else's voice, a lion's roar, a beating of drums, or any other sound you choose. The sound continues unabated throughout the duration, or you can make discrete sounds at different times before the spell ends.

Image. If you create an image of an object—such as a chair, muddy footprints, or a small chest—it must be no larger than a 5- foot Cube. The image can't create sound, light, smell, or any other sensory effect. Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be an illusion, since things can pass through it.

Minor Illusion 5e 2024 vs. 2014 edition differences

The 2024 version introduces a "Study" action for examining illusions, replacing the "use its action" wording. The description of effects for sound and image are separated into distinct sections, but the core mechanics—sound volume, image size, and illusion end conditions—remain the same.