Sending
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level divination
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Unlimited
- Components
- V, S, M (a copper wire)
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Bard, Cleric, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
You send a short message of 25 words or fewer to a creature you have met or a creature described to you by someone who has met it. The target hears the message in its mind, recognizes you as the sender if it knows you, and can answer in a like manner immediately. The spell enables targets to understand the meaning of your message.
You can send the message across any distance and even to other planes of existence, but if the target is on a different plane than you, there is a 5 chance that the message doesn't arrive. You know if the delivery fails.
Upon receiving your message, a creature can block your ability to reach it again with this spell for 8 hours. If you try to send another message during that time, you learn that you are blocked, and the spell fails.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Unlimited
- Components
- V, S, M (a short piece of fine copper wire)
- Duration
- 1 round
- Classes
- Bard, Cleric, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
You send a short message of twenty-five words or less to a creature with which you are familiar. The creature hears the message in its mind, recognizes you as the sender if it knows you, and can answer in a like manner immediately. The spell enables creatures with Intelligence scores of at least 1 to understand the meaning of your message.
You can send the message across any distance and even to other planes of existence, but if the target is on a different plane than you, there is a 5 chance that the message doesn't arrive.
Sending 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Sending popularity
How popular is Sending? It is a commonly found spell in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a reliable addition to any spellbook.
- Top 50% of all level 3 spells
- Top 50% picked level 3 Wizard spell
- Top 50% of all 5e spells
- Top 50% picked level 3 Bard spell
- Bottom 50% picked level 3 Cleric spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Sending
Animal Messenger 2nd-level enchantment
It delivers a spoken message to a distant recipient and overlaps heavily in bard and ranger utility.
Players prefer Animal Messenger over Sending
Message Transmutation cantrip
The spells share direct whispered communication and the ability for the recipient to respond.
Players prefer Message over Sending
Rary's Telepathic Bond 5th-level divination
This divination creates a sustained mental communication link between multiple creatures.
Players prefer Sending over Rary's Telepathic Bond
Dream 5th-level illusion
Both allow a caster to contact someone remotely with a message, including across great distances.
Players prefer Sending over Dream
Magic Mouth 2nd-level illusion
Both are primarily used to deliver information through magical speech rather than deal combat damage.
Players prefer Sending over Magic Mouth
Telepathy 8th-level divination
It provides long-range mental communication, though it lasts much longer and requires a higher-level slot.
Players prefer Sending over Telepathy