Zone of Truth
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 2nd-level enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- 10 minutes
- Classes
- Bard, Cleric, Paladin
You create a magical zone that guards against deception in a 15- foot-radius Sphere centered on a point within range. Until the spell ends, a creature that enters the spell's area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there makes a Charisma saving throw. On a failed save, a creature can't speak a deliberate lie while in the radius. You know whether a creature succeeds or fails on this save. An affected creature is aware of the spell and can avoid answering questions to which it would normally respond with a lie. Such a creature can be evasive yet must be truthful.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 2nd-level enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- 10 minutes
- Classes
- Bard, Cleric, Paladin
You create a magical zone that guards against deception in a 15-foot radius sphere centered on a point of your choice within range. Until the spell ends, a creature that enters the spell's area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there must make a Charisma saving throw. On a failed save, a creature can't speak a deliberate lie while in the radius. You know whether each creature succeeds or fails on its saving throw.
An affected creature is aware of the spell and can thus avoid answering questions to which it would normally respond with a lie. Such a creature can be evasive in its answers as long as it remains within the boundaries of the truth.
Zone of Truth 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Zone of Truth popularity
How popular is Zone of Truth? 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 5e spells
- Top 50% of all level 2 spells
- Top 50% picked level 2 Bard spell
- Top 50% picked level 2 Cleric spell
- Bottom 50% picked level 2 Paladin spell
Spells similar to Zone of Truth
Calm Emotions 2nd-level enchantment
It’s the same spell level and school family effecting social interactions across an area, used to shape how creatures respond when you want to control dialogue or de-escalate an exchange.
Players prefer Calm Emotions over Zone of Truth
Command 1st-level enchantment
This lower-level enchantment forces brief verbal compliance and is often chosen for the same kinds of social-control or interrogation moments where you need predictable answers or actions.
Players prefer Command over Zone of Truth
Suggestion 2nd-level enchantment
It’s the same school and a low-level option for shaping a creature’s replies or behavior through a charm-like effect that influences social outcomes.
Players prefer Suggestion over Zone of Truth
Silence 2nd-level illusion
Both create an area effect that directly interferes with speech and conversation for up to ten minutes, making them tools for controlling what can be said in a zone.
Players prefer Silence over Zone of Truth
Detect Thoughts 2nd-level divination
Although it’s divination, it’s a short-duration information spell that targets minds and is commonly used in the same investigative or interrogation situations as this spell.
Players prefer Detect Thoughts over Zone of Truth