Dispel Magic
Level 3 · Abjuration
- Utility
Dispel Magic is an abjuration spell at level 3, sitting on the bard, cleric, druid, paladin, ranger, sorcerer, warlock, and wizard lists. Cast time: Action. Range 120 feet, components V/S, duration instantaneous. Effect: Choose one creature, object, or magical effect within range. At higher levels: You automatically end a spell on the target if the spell's level is equal to or less than the level of the spell slot you use.
Stat Block
- Level
- 3
- School
- Abjuration
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Material
- —
Description
Choose one creature, object, or magical effect within range. Any ongoing spell of level 3 or lower on the target ends. For each ongoing spell of level 4 or higher on the target, make an ability check using your spellcasting ability (DC 10 plus that spell's level). On a successful check, the spell ends.
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
Dispel Magic is Abjuration — the school of denial, here applied to ending another spell. Target one magical effect; if it's 3rd level or lower, no roll is needed. If higher, the caster makes a spellcasting check (DC 10 + the slot level) to dispel it.
Class Fit
- Bard: Bards prep Dispel Magic from level 5 onwards as part of the canonical anti-mage loadout alongside Counterspell. The two spells solve different problems — Counterspell stops a cast; Dispel Magic ends one that's already active.
- Cleric: Clerics prep Dispel Magic in any campaign with significant enemy spellcasting. The spell's importance scales with the tier — tier 3 enemies routinely have longer-lasting magical effects to dispel.
- Druid: Druids prep Dispel Magic for the same reason as Clerics. The spell is one of the few non-school-specific picks that nearly every full-caster build prepares.
- Paladin: Paladins prep Dispel Magic in builds where the campaign expects significant enemy spellcasting. The slot cost is meaningful at the Paladin's small list.
- Ranger: A Ranger picking Dispel Magic compares it against the class's bread-and-butter Hunter's Mark — the slot economy favors picks that work in more than one terrain. Dispel Magic has an at-higher-levels rule; the spell's per-slot scaling makes upcasting worthwhile in the right context.
- Sorcerer: Sorcerers know Dispel Magic as a permanent pick by level 5. The known-spell budget pressure means most Sorcerers prioritize Counterspell first, Dispel Magic second.
- Warlock: Warlocks add Dispel Magic at level 5. Pact Magic's always-at-highest slot means automatic upcasting, which raises the dispel-check DC for tier-3 and tier-4 enemy effects.
- Wizard: Wizards add Dispel Magic to the spellbook at level 5 and keep it prepped through the rest of the campaign. Abjuration Wizards specifically gain Arcane Ward charges from successful dispels.
Tactical play (Doungim editorial)
Strip ongoing magic. Auto-success against spells cast at slot ≤ yours. Counters polymorph, dominate, Hold Monster.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Dispel Magic
- What level spell is Dispel Magic?
- The spell Dispel Magic is a level 3 spell in the Abjuration school. Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard all have access to it.
- What is the range of Dispel Magic?
- From the caster's position, Dispel Magic reaches 120 feet.
- What components and casting time does Dispel Magic need?
- Dispel Magic is cast with V, S, on a standard one-action cast.
- Can Dispel Magic be upcast?
- Yes — You automatically end a spell on the target if the spell's level is equal to or less than the level of the spell slot you use.