Tongues
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level divination
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Touch
- Components
- V, M (a miniature ziggurat)
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Classes
- Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
This spell grants the creature you touch the ability to understand any spoken or signed language that it hears or sees. Moreover, when the target communicates by speaking or signing, any creature that knows at least one language can understand it if that creature can hear the speech or see the signing.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level divination
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Touch
- Components
- V, M (a small clay model of a ziggurat)
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Classes
- Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
This spell grants the creature you touch the ability to understand any spoken language it hears. Moreover, when the target speaks, any creature that knows at least one language and can hear the target understands what it says.
Tongues 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Tongues popularity
How popular is Tongues? It is a commonly found spell in the game, but is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may be situational for many spellbooks.
- Top 50% of all level 3 spells
- Top 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 50% picked level 3 Wizard spell
- Bottom 50% picked level 3 Bard spell
- Bottom 50% picked level 3 Sorcerer spell
- Bottom 50% picked level 3 Warlock spell
- Bottom 50% picked level 3 Cleric spell
Spells similar to Tongues
Sending 3rd-level divination
Both solve communication problems at a distance and are third‑level divinations commonly chosen by the same classes for exchanging information.
Players prefer Sending over Tongues
Speak with Dead 3rd-level necromancy
It’s a third‑level spell that focuses on extracting or exchanging spoken information with creatures, so it fills a comparable information‑gathering niche.
Players prefer Speak with Dead over Tongues
Message Transmutation cantrip
Although a lower level and short‑range, it’s a direct communication spell favored by the same casters for private exchanges of information.
Players prefer Message over Tongues
Comprehend Languages 1st-level divination
It grants the ability to understand languages for a similar duration and comes from the same school and class family, making it the closest mechanical analogue.
Players prefer Tongues over Comprehend Languages
Speak with Plants 3rd-level transmutation
Like the target, it grants temporary understanding and communication ability with a category of beings, serving a similar utility/information purpose.
Players prefer Tongues over Speak with Plants