Minor Illusion
2024 Rules
- 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
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
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.
2014 Rules
- 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
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
You create a sound or an image of an object within range that lasts for the duration. The illusion also ends if you dismiss it as an action or cast this spell again.
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.
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, because things can pass through it.
If a creature uses its 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.
Minor Illusion 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
How popular is Minor Illusion in 5e?
Minor Illusion is the #5 most popular cantrip (of 49) and the #4 most picked Wizard cantrip (of 32).
Among cantrips, Minor Illusion ranks just below Fire Bolt and just above Light in popularity.
- #9 (of 567) most popular 5e spell
- #5 (of 49) most popular cantrip
- #4 (of 32) most picked Wizard cantrip
- #5 (of 31) most picked Sorcerer cantrip
- #4 (of 20) most picked Warlock cantrip
- #4 (of 13) most picked Bard cantrip
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Minor Illusion
Prestidigitation Transmutation cantrip
Both are versatile utility cantrips that provide small sensory effects and creative noncombat solutions.
Players prefer Prestidigitation over Minor Illusion
Dancing Lights Illusion cantrip
Both are Illusion cantrips that produce lasting visual effects for distraction, signaling, or misdirection.
Players prefer Minor Illusion over Dancing Lights
Creation 5th-level illusion
Creation uses Illusion magic to produce a physical-looking object for practical deception and problem-solving.
Players prefer Minor Illusion over Creation
Major Image 3rd-level illusion
This spell expands on Minor Illusion by creating a larger, longer-lasting illusion with multiple sensory effects.
Players prefer Minor Illusion over Major Image
Silent Image 1st-level illusion
It is the closest match, creating a persistent visual illusion for utility and deception, though at a larger scale.
Players prefer Minor Illusion over Silent Image
Magic Mouth 2nd-level illusion
It similarly creates a lasting sound-based magical effect useful for messages, warnings, and tricks.
Players prefer Minor Illusion over Magic Mouth