Mage Armor
Level 1 · Abjuration
- Utility
Mage Armor is an abjuration spell at level 1, sitting on the sorcerer and wizard lists. Cast time: Action. Range Touch, components V/S/M, duration 8 hours. Material: a piece of cured leather. Effect: You touch a willing creature who isn't wearing armor.
Stat Block
- Level
- 1
- School
- Abjuration
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- Touch
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- 8 Hours
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Material
- a piece of cured leather
Description
You touch a willing creature who isn't wearing armor. Until the spell ends, the target's base AC becomes 13 plus its Dexterity modifier. The spell ends early if the target dons armor.
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 is the school of conserved magic. Its spells keep things from happening that would otherwise happen — the most invisible and underrated school. Mage Armor earns the Abjuration tag through the spell ends, prevents, or absorbs an effect that would otherwise land. The 1st-level slot is the most-cast slot of tier 1 — Mage Armor earns its place there or somewhere else.
Class Fit
- Sorcerer: At tier 1 a Sorcerer's known-spell budget is brutal. Mage Armor earns its slot only if the build cannot win the next ten sessions without it.
- Wizard: Once Mage Armor is in the spellbook the cost is gold-and-ritual-time at acquisition; from then on the daily prep decision is free.
Tactical play (Doungim editorial)
Cast Mage Armor on yourself once per long rest. AC becomes 13 + Dex. Mandatory for wizards and sorcerers in any campaign with weekly long rests. Don't forget to recast at dawn.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Mage Armor
- What level spell is Mage Armor?
- The spell Mage Armor is a level 1 spell in the Abjuration school. Sorcerer, Wizard all have access to it.
- What is the range of Mage Armor?
- Touch range on Mage Armor means the caster has to make physical contact with the target.
- How long does Mage Armor last?
- Mage Armor sticks for 8 hours. Concentration is not required, so the caster's concentration slot stays free.
- What components and casting time does Mage Armor need?
- To cast: the components are V, S, M. Additionally, Material component: a piece of cured leather.