Modify Memory
Level 5 · Enchantment
- Concentration
- Save
- Control
- Buff
Listed under enchantment, Modify Memory costs a 5th-level slot for bard and wizard casters. Cast time: Action. Range 30 feet, components V/S, duration up to 1 minute. Marked concentration. Effect: You attempt to reshape another creature's memories. At higher levels: You can alter the target's memories of an event that took place up to 7 days ago (level 6 spell slot), 30 days ago (level 7 spell slot), 365 days ago (level 8 spell slot), or any t…
Stat Block
- Level
- 5
- School
- Enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 30 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- up to 1 Minute
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Bard, Wizard
- Material
- —
Description
You attempt to reshape another creature's memories. One creature that you can see within range makes a Wisdom saving throw. If you are fighting the creature, it has Advantage on the save. On a failed save, the target has the Charmed condition for the duration. While Charmed in this way, the target also has the Incapacitated condition and is unaware of its surroundings, though it can hear you. If it takes any damage or is targeted by another spell, this spell ends, and no memories are modified. While this charm lasts, you can affect the target's memory of an event that it experienced within the last 24 hours and that lasted no more than 10 minutes. You can permanently eliminate all memory of the event, allow the target to recall the event with perfect clarity, change its memory of the event's details, or create a memory of some other event. You must speak to the target to describe how its memories are affected, and it must be able to understand your language for the modified memories to take root. Its mind fills in any gaps in the details of your description. If the spell ends before you finish describing the modified memories, the creature's memory isn't altered. Otherwise, the modified memories take hold when the spell ends. A modified memory doesn't necessarily affect how a creature behaves, particularly if the memory contradicts the creature's natural inclinations, alignment, or beliefs. An illogical modified memory, such as a false memory of how much the creature enjoyed swimming in acid, is dismissed as a bad dream. The DM might deem a modified memory too nonsensical to affect a creature. A Remove Curse or Greater Restoration spell cast on the target restores the creature's true memory.
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
Enchantment magic is the great cheating school of the casters. Its spells reach where no martial weapon and no fireball can. Modify Memory is Enchantment because the spell rewrites a sentient creature's intent or perception. At level 5, the slot economy tightens — Modify Memory competes with the strongest spells in the band.
Class Fit
- Bard: A Bard prepares Modify Memory from the known list, which means it stays on the sheet for several levels of play before retraining is an option. At higher spell-slot levels Modify Memory grows — refer to the upcast clause for the exact terms.
- Wizard: Arcane Recovery returns one or two slots on a short rest. Modify Memory's slot cost is therefore not exactly what the slot column says. 30 feet is enough range that Modify Memory doesn't pull the caster forward.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Modify Memory
- What level spell is Modify Memory?
- Modify Memory sits at level 5 in the Enchantment school of magic, prepared by Bard, Wizard.
- What save does Modify Memory require?
- Modify Memory calls for a Wisdom save against the caster's DC. Success conditions are described in the spell text.
- What is the range of Modify Memory?
- The range on Modify Memory is 30 feet — far enough that most casters can stay clear of the front line.
- Is Modify Memory a concentration spell?
- Concentration is required for Modify Memory, with a maximum duration up to 1 minute. The concentration rules apply: one at a time, and Con saves on damage.
- What components and casting time does Modify Memory need?
- Modify Memory requires V, S; casting time is the standard Action.
- Can Modify Memory be upcast?
- Yes — You can alter the target's memories of an event that took place up to 7 days ago (level 6 spell slot), 30 days ago (level 7 spell slot), 365 days ago (level 8 spell slot), or any time in the creature's past (level 9 spell slot).