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Magic can be found in the darkest corners if you look hard enough. InDungeons & Dragons, players can swing greatswords and cast powerful spells. While conjuring magical abilities that can set a whole kingdom on fire is helpful, sometimes all you need is a way to see the magic around you to get through certain obstacles.
Detect Magic is one of those spells that gets overlooked because dealing damage is more important for some players than intelligence gathering. However, to those fortunate few with this spell in their spellbook, the possibilities are endless as to what you can use it for.
What Is The “Detect Magic” Spell?
As thePlayer’s Handbookdescribes,Detect Magicis a spell that allows you to see andsense any kind of magic in the area.On top of this, you willbe able to know what school of magicit is part of.
A level-one Divination spellis incredibly useful for scanning a room or searching for a specific item. Once cast,you will see a magic glow from any objects or creaturesthat have magic radiating from them.
However,Detect Magiccomes with a few rules that you will need to follow:
Detect Magic is also classified as a “Ritual” spell. This means that if the caster spends an extra ten minutes casting the spell, they can do so without spending a Spell Slot.
Uses For Detect Magic
At a core level, Detect Magic is a great spell forpointing out possible dangers.Instead of always wondering what kind of powerful sorcery is lurking around the corner, it is a handy way to at least get a warning of what is to come.
For treasure hunters, theDetect Magicspell is often used as a way to find an item they are looking for.Any kind of magic item,from magic robes to enchanted swords, will glow with some kind of magic while you are using this spell.
For Dungeon Masters,the spell can be used in an entirely different context, often as foreshadowing or hinting at the party’s solution to a puzzle.
For example, a room with various symbols on the wall may have one planted with a glyph that, when touched, will open a secret door. This would normally be concealed from most players unless a keen eye with Detect Magic can spot it.
Dungeon Masters should remember the visibility restrictions of Detect Magic to keep things fair, such as that it will not see through barriers of a specific depth and material.
Another example could be detailing characters and NPCs. A Dungeon Master may introduce a “neutral” NPC to the party who acts as a mere mortal, only to have them shrouded inWar Magic the moment someone looks at them with Detect Magic.
