Contingency
Level 6 · Abjuration
- Utility
Listed under abjuration, Contingency costs a 6th-level slot for wizard casters. Cast time: 10 Minutes. Range Self, components V/S/M, duration 10 days. Material: a gem-incrusted statuette of yourself worth 1,500+ GP. Effect: Choose a spell of level 5 or lower that you can cast, that has a casting time of an action, and that can target you.
Stat Block
- Level
- 6
- School
- Abjuration
- Casting Time
- 10 Minutes
- Range / Area
- Self
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- 10 days
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Wizard
- Material
- a gem-incrusted statuette of yourself worth 1,500+ GP
Description
Choose a spell of level 5 or lower that you can cast, that has a casting time of an action, and that can target you. You cast that spell—called the contingent spell—as part of casting Contingency, expending spell slots for both, but the contingent spell doesn't come into effect. Instead, it takes effect when a certain trigger occurs. You describe that trigger when you cast the two spells. For example, a Contingency cast with Water Breathing might stipulate that Water Breathing comes into effect when you are engulfed in water or a similar liquid. The contingent spell takes effect immediately after the trigger occurs for the first time, whether or not you want it to, and then Contingency ends. The contingent spell takes effect only on you, even if it can normally target others. You can use only one Contingency spell at a time. If you cast this spell again, the effect of another Contingency spell on you ends. Also, Contingency ends on you if its material component is ever not on your person.
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
Abjuration magic is reactive. The spells trigger when something the caster does not want is already in motion, and their job is to interrupt or absorb it. Contingency earns the Abjuration tag through the spell ends, prevents, or absorbs an effect that would otherwise land. At level 6, a single cast of Contingency can be the most important action of the adventuring day.
Class Fit
- Wizard: At tier 1 Wizards have small prepared lists. Contingency earns its place by either being always-relevant (Shield, Mage Armor) or by being the right answer to a known problem.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Contingency
- What level spell is Contingency?
- In D&D 5e, Contingency is classified as a level 6 spell of the Abjuration school. Available classes: Wizard.
- What is the range of Contingency?
- Contingency is self-target only — the caster is the target of the spell, not another creature.
- How long does Contingency last?
- Without concentration, Contingency runs for its full 10 days duration regardless of what else the caster is doing.
- What components and casting time does Contingency need?
- Note: Contingency is cast with V, S, M. Beyond that — Material component: a gem-incrusted statuette of yourself worth 1,500+ GP; the casting time is 10 minutes (not a standard Action).