Mordenkainen's Private Sanctum

A
Utility

Mordenkainen's Private Sanctum is a Utility spell. Utility spells solve problems outside of combat or provide unique situational advantages.

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 spell that seals an area, muffling sound, hiding it from sight, and blocking divination, teleportation, and planar travel with
battlefield control

Mordenkainen's Private Sanctum is a Battlefield Shaping spell. Battlefield Shaping spells alter terrain, create obstacles, introduce hazards, and affect enemy positioning.

See all Battlefield Shaping spells →
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2024 Rules
Level & School
4th-level abjuration
Casting Time
10 minutes
Range
120 feet
Components
V, S, M (a thin sheet of lead)
Duration
24 hours
Classes
Wizard

You make an area within range magically secure. The area is a Cube that can be as small as 5 feet to as large as 100 feet on each side. The spell lasts for the duration.

When you cast the spell, you decide what sort of security the spell provides, choosing any of the following properties:

  • Sound can't pass through the barrier at the edge of the warded area.

  • The barrier of the warded area appears dark and foggy, preventing vision (including Dark vision) through it.

  • Sensors created by Divination spells can't appear inside the protected area or pass through the barrier at its perimeter.

  • Creatures in the area can't be targeted by Divination spells.

  • Nothing can teleport into or out of the warded area.

  • Planar travel is blocked within the warded area. Casting this spell on the same spot every day for 365 days makes the spell last until dispelled.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. You can increase the size of the Cube by 100 feet for each spell slot level above 4.

2014 Rules
Level & School
4th-level abjuration
Casting Time
10 minutes
Range
120 feet
Components
V, S, M (a thin sheet of lead, a piece of opaque glass, a wad of cotton or cloth, and powdered chrysolite)
Duration
24 hours
Classes
Wizard

You make an area within range magically secure. The area is a cube that can be as small as 5 feet to as large as 100 feet on each side. The spell lasts for the duration or until you use an action to dismiss it.

When you cast the spell, you decide what sort of security the spell provides, choosing any or all of the following properties:

  • Sound can't pass through the barrier at the edge of the warded area.

  • The barrier of the warded area appears dark and foggy, preventing vision (including darkvision) through it.

  • Sensors created by divination spells can't appear inside the protected area or pass through the barrier at its perimeter.

  • Creatures in the area can't be targeted by divination spells.

  • Nothing can teleport into or out of the warded area.

  • Planar travel is blocked within the warded area. Casting this spell on the same spot every day for a year makes this effect permanent.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, you can increase the size of the cube by 100 feet for each slot level beyond 4th. Thus you could protect a cube that can be up to 200 feet on one side by using a spell slot of 5th level.

Mordenkainen's Private Sanctum 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The 2024 version no longer lets you dismiss the spell early with an action; it just lasts for the duration. The year-long permanence condition is now 365 days instead of “a year,” which is functionally the same.

Mordenkainen's Private Sanctum popularity

Mordenkainen's Private Sanctum is a seldom chosen level 4 spell. Choosing it adds a unique option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Mordenkainen's Private Sanctum

  • Forbiddance 6th-level abjuration

    It’s an area abjuration that blocks planar travel and creates a long‑lasting ward over a large space, much like this spell’s travel- and plane‑blocking options.

  • Guards and Wards 6th-level abjuration

    Both are long‑duration protective magics that shape and secure an area with multiple customizable defensive effects.

  • Arcane Lock 2nd-level abjuration

    This lower‑level abjuration is a targeted, enduring security spell for doors and spaces, matching the same niche of area protection and access control.

  • Alarm 1st-level abjuration

    Alarm provides ritualizable area security and detection over hours, serving a similar practical purpose for guarding a space even though it’s weaker.

  • Hallow 5th-level abjuration

    Hallow creates a sanctified, customizable area with long duration and warding options, overlapping the idea of imposing specific protections on a site.