Scrying

A
Utility

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

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 spell that reveals a distant creature through hidden
information

Scrying is a Information spell. Information spells provide ways to transmit, perceive, detect, or reveal hidden or unknown information.

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, while an uneasy save can stop the magic cold
save-or-suck

Scrying is a Save or Suck spell. Save or Suck spells fall entirely flat if the target succeeds on a saving throw.

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.

2024 Rules
Level & School
5th-level divination
Casting Time
10 minutes
Range
Self
Components
V, S, M (a focus worth 1,000+ GP, such as a crystal ball, mirror, or water-filled font)
Duration
Concentration, up to 10 minutes
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Druid, Warlock, Wizard

You can see and hear a creature you choose that is on the same plane of existence as you. The target makes a Wisdom saving throw, which is modified (see the tables below) by how well you know the target and the sort of physical connection you have to it. The target doesn’t know what it is making the save against, only that it feels uneasy.

Your Knowledge of the Target Is... Save Modifier
Secondhand (heard of the target) +5
Firsthand (met the target) +0
Extensive (know the target well) -5
You Have the Target’s... Save Modifier
--------------------------------------- -------------
Picture or other likeness -2
Garment or other possession -4
Body part, lock of hair, or bit of nail -10

On a successful save, the target isn’t affected, and you can’t use this spell on it again for 24 hours.

On a failed save, the spell creates an Invisible, intangible sensor within 10 feet of the target. You can see and hear through the sensor as if you were there. The sensor moves with the target, remaining within 10 feet of it for the duration. If something can see the sensor, it appears as a luminous orb about the size of your fist. Instead of targeting a creature, you can target a location you have seen. When you do so, the sensor appears at that location and doesn’t move.

2014 Rules
Level & School
5th-level divination
Casting Time
10 minutes
Range
Self
Components
V, S, M (a focus worth at least 1,000 gp, such as a crystal ball, a silver mirror, or a font filled with holy water)
Duration
Concentration, 10 minutes
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Druid, Warlock, Wizard

You can see and hear a particular creature you choose that is on the same plane of existence as you. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw, which is modified by how well you know the target and the sort of physical connection you have to it. If a target knows you're casting this spell, it can fail the saving throw voluntarily if it wants to be observed.

Knowledge Save Modifier
Secondhand (you have heard of the target) +5
Firsthand (you have met the target) +0
Familiar (you know the target well) -5
Connection Save Modifier
Likeness or picture -2
Possession or garment -4
Body part, lock of hair, bit of nail, or the like -10

On a successful save, the target isn't affected, and you can't use this spell against it again for 24 hours.

On a failed save, the spell creates an invisible sensor within 10 feet of the target. You can see and hear through the sensor as if you were there. The sensor moves with the target, remaining within 10 feet of it for the duration. A creature that can see invisible objects sees the sensor as a luminous orb about the size of your fist.

Instead of targeting a creature, you can choose a location you have seen before as the target of this spell. When you do, the sensor appears at that location and doesn't move.

Scrying 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The target no longer automatically knows it’s being scryed on; it just feels uneasy. The sensor is now explicitly intangible as well as invisible, and its visibility is phrased a bit more broadly: if something can see the sensor, it appears as a luminous orb.

Scrying popularity

Scrying is a commonly found spell in the game.

Spells similar to Scrying

  • Clairvoyance 3rd-level divination

    It creates a distant invisible sensor you can see and hear through, like this spell but at a lower level and shorter duration.

  • Arcane Eye 4th-level divination

    It also makes a mobile sensor you can use to scout remotely, sharing the same remote-vision utility and concentration limitation.

  • Contact Other Plane 5th-level divination

    It’s a same-level divination that gives hard-to-get information and involves risk from the attempt, echoing the investigative theme.

  • Locate Creature 4th-level divination

    It’s a divination that helps you find a specific being on the same plane, serving a similar tracking/information purpose without direct viewing.

  • Dream 5th-level illusion

    It lets you reach and learn from a target at range in a more limited, special way, offering long-distance contact and information-gathering.