Alarm
Level 1 · Abjuration
- Ritual
- AOE
A 1st-level spell in the abjuration school, Alarm appears on the ranger and wizard lists. Cast time: 1 Minute. Range 30 feet, components V/S/M, duration 8 hours. Material: a bell and silver wire. Marked ritual. Effect: You set an alarm against intrusion.
Stat Block
- Level
- 1
- School
- Abjuration
- Casting Time
- 1 Minute
- Range / Area
- 30 feet (20-foot cube)
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- 8 Hours
- Ritual
- Yes
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Ranger, Wizard
- Material
- a bell and silver wire
Description
You set an alarm against intrusion. Choose a door, a window, or an area within range that is no larger than a 20-foot Cube. Until the spell ends, an alarm alerts you whenever a creature touches or enters the warded area. When you cast the spell, you can designate creatures that won't set off the alarm. You also choose whether the alarm is audible or mental:
The alarm produces the sound of a handbell for 10 seconds within 60 feet of the warded area.
You are alerted by a mental ping if you are within 1 mile of the warded area. This ping awakens you if you're asleep.
5e (2014) vs 2024 changes
This spell has both a 5e (2014) and 2024 Player's Handbook version. Doungim shows the current 2024 stat block above. Differences between editions typically affect components, range, or scaling — check both source books for the table.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
The Abjuration tradition is the spellcaster's defence cabinet. It is the school of warded doors, of wards over thresholds, of shields raised in the moment of the attack. On the school axis, Alarm is Abjuration: the spell ends, prevents, or absorbs an effect that would otherwise land. The 1st-level slot is the most-cast slot of tier 1 — Alarm earns its place there or somewhere else.
Class Fit
- Ranger: Wisdom is the Ranger's casting stat. Alarm casts at the build's normal spell-save DC, which is competitive but not the focus of most Ranger builds. Alarm reaches 30 feet, which lets the caster stay clear of the front line.
- Wizard: The Wizard's daily prep list is the class's flexibility lever — every long rest is a chance to reconsider what Alarm is doing on the sheet. At 30 feet, Alarm stays usable from the caster's typical positioning.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Alarm
- What level spell is Alarm?
- In D&D 5e, Alarm is classified as a level 1 spell of the Abjuration school. Available classes: Ranger, Wizard.
- What is the range of Alarm?
- The range on Alarm is 30 feet — far enough that most casters can stay clear of the front line.
- How long does Alarm last?
- Without concentration, Alarm runs for its full 8 hours duration regardless of what else the caster is doing.
- What components and casting time does Alarm need?
- Alarm is cast with V, S, M. Material component: a bell and silver wire; Alarm can be cast as a ritual: an extra 10 minutes of casting time, no spell slot consumed; the casting time is 1 minute (not a standard Action).