Protection from Evil and Good

A
Support

Protection from Evil and Good is a Support spell. Support spells strengthen, protect, or buff allies.

See all Support spells →
 spell that shields one creature from fiends, fey, undead, and other outsiders, warding off charms, fear, and possession.

2024 Rules
Level & School
1st-level abjuration
Casting Time
Action
Range
Touch
Components
V, S, M (a flask of Holy Water worth 25+ GP, which the spell consumes)
Duration
Concentration, up to 10 minutes
Classes
Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Warlock, Wizard

Until the spell ends, one willing creature you touch is protected against creatures that are Aberrations, Celestials, Elementals, Fey, Fiends, or Undead. The protection grants several benefits. Creatures of those types have Disadvantage on attack rolls against the target. The target also can't be possessed by or gain the Charmed or Frightened conditions from them. If the target is already possessed, Charmed, or Frightened by such a creature, the target has Advantage on any new saving throw against the relevant effect.

2014 Rules
Level & School
1st-level abjuration
Casting Time
Action
Range
Touch
Components
V, S, M (holy water or powdered silver and iron, which the spell consumes)
Duration
Concentration, 10 minutes
Classes
Cleric, Paladin, Warlock, Wizard

Until the spell ends, one willing creature you touch is protected against certain types of creatures: aberrations, celestials, elementals, fey, fiends, and undead.

The protection grants several benefits. Creatures of those types have disadvantage on attack rolls against the target. The target also can't be charmed, frightened, or possessed by them. If the target is already charmed, frightened, or possessed by such a creature, the target has advantage on any new saving throw against the relevant effect.

Protection from Evil and Good 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Effectively the same spell. Now also available to Druids.

Protection from Evil and Good popularity

Protection from Evil and Good is a commonly chosen level 1 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Protection from Evil and Good

  • Sanctuary 1st-level abjuration

    Both are low-level abjuration spells you cast to keep a single ally safer by interfering with attacks against them.

  • Magic Circle 3rd-level abjuration

    Magic Circle and the target both create explicit protection against specific creature types and prevent hostile supernatural effects from taking hold.

  • Dispel Evil and Good 5th-level abjuration

    This spell shares the same thematic niche of defending against extraplanar or type-based threats and has overlapping defensive effects.

  • Shield of Faith 1st-level abjuration

    Although it works differently, Shield of Faith is a simple, low-level abjuration buff you might pick for the same goal of improving an ally's survivability in combat.

  • Warding Bond 2nd-level abjuration

    Warding Bond is another protective abjuration that links to a single creature to reduce harm and provide a durable defensive benefit.