Seeming
Level 5 · Illusion
- Save
Listed under illusion, Seeming costs a 5th-level slot for bard, sorcerer, and wizard casters. Cast time: Action. Range 30 feet, components V/S, duration 8 hours. Effect: You give an illusory appearance to each creature of your choice that you can see within range.
Stat Block
- Level
- 5
- School
- Illusion
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 30 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- 8 Hours
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Material
- —
Description
You give an illusory appearance to each creature of your choice that you can see within range. An unwilling target can make a Charisma saving throw, and if it succeeds, it is unaffected by this spell. You can give the same appearance or different ones to the targets. The spell can change the appearance of the targets' bodies and equipment. You can make each creature seem 1 foot shorter or taller and appear heavier or lighter. A target's new appearance must have the same basic arrangement of limbs as the target, but the extent of the illusion is otherwise up to you. The spell lasts for the duration. The changes wrought by this spell fail to hold up to physical inspection. For example, if you use this spell to add a hat to a creature's outfit, objects pass through the hat. A creature that takes the Study action to examine a target can make an Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC. If it succeeds, it becomes aware that the target is disguised.
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
Illusion magic is the school of the unfair fight — unfair in the caster's favour, by way of misdirection rather than damage. The school fit for Seeming comes from the spell creates a perceptual fiction the target's senses report as real. Slots at level 5 arrive slowly through the campaign; Seeming earns its prep on the days it solves a problem.
Class Fit
- Bard: College of Lore Bards have the easiest case for Seeming: Magical Secrets means the class can reach outside the standard list to grab adjacent picks. Seeming reaches 30 feet, which lets the caster stay clear of the front line.
- Sorcerer: Draconic, Wild Magic, Aberrant Mind, Clockwork Soul, and Lunar Sorcerers each get subclass-bonus spells. If Seeming is already on the bonus list, save the known-spell budget. 30 feet is enough range that Seeming doesn't pull the caster forward.
- Wizard: Arcane Recovery returns one or two slots on a short rest. Seeming's slot cost is therefore not exactly what the slot column says. At 30 feet, Seeming stays usable from the caster's typical positioning.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Seeming
- What level spell is Seeming?
- Seeming sits at level 5 in the Illusion school of magic, prepared by Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard.
- What save does Seeming require?
- The save against Seeming is a Charisma saving throw. Specific rules for a successful save are spelled out in the spell description.
- What is the range of Seeming?
- Seeming can target a point or creature within 30 feet of the caster.
- How long does Seeming last?
- The duration on Seeming is 8 hours, with no concentration required.
- What components and casting time does Seeming need?
- To cast Seeming: the cast needs V, S with a standard Action.