Minor Illusion

A
Utility

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

See all Utility spells →
spell that creates a convincing sound or small image to distract, deceive, or hide what’s really there.

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

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

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

The 2024 version no longer lets you end Minor Illusion early by dismissing it as an action. Otherwise, it works the same.

Minor Illusion popularity

How popular is Minor Illusion? It is one of the most popular spells in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a proven favourite among spellcasters.

Spells similar to Minor Illusion

Minor Illusion is featured in