Nondetection Spell Guide 5e: The Best Defense Against Scrying Eyes

Nondetection is a nifty little spell that almost everyone forgets. When a wizard gets 3^rd-level spells, they usually go for the staple fireball, which, while iconic, is a bit cliché for a subtle, intelligent spellcaster like yourself.

Spell Description

For the duration, you hide a target that you touch from divination magic. The target can be a willing creature, a place, or an object no larger than 10 feet in any dimension.

The target can’t be targeted by any divination magic or perceived through magical scrying sensors.

Most spells have conditions around their effectiveness or how they can be overcome. This spell does not.

It is simple: you “can’t be targeted by any divination magic.” It’s like a permanent counterspell effect for an entire school of magic.

Should I Take This Spell?

That depends on what type of caster you are.

If you are a ranger, then yes, you should. I don’t care what “type” of ranger you are. Yes, there are some great 3^rd-level ranger spells, like flame arrows and any spell of the conjure variety.

However, nondetection will allow you and your party to travel discreetly. So long as you aren’t the only combatant in your party, this definitely needs to be in your wheelhouse.

If you are a bard, nondetection is probably not your first choice. As a bard, you will most likely be the charismatic face of the party, the diplomat, the resident smack talker, etc.

Unless you plan to cast this spell on another party member while you do your little turn on the catwalk, take something else like curse, catnap, or dispel magic.

If you are a wizard, then this is a tactical and flavor decision. For guidance on that, look at your character’s background.

Do they have an Urchin, Criminal, or other dubious legal backstory? Then nondetection may be the way to go. It can keep you off all of the radars and make you more than a glass cannon.

But if you are the wizard who always hammers, then an evocation spell will provide you the best tool for all of those damn nails out there.

For the wizard who has a little sneak mixed in with their smart? This is definitely for you.

When To Use Nondetection

Cast nondetection only on allies or on yourself. Cast it if:

• You or anyone else is being tracked.
• You or anyone else wants to Ocean’s 11 it up and go on a heist.
• You or anyone else suspects you may trip any alarms or traps that use any of the detect spells to trigger.
• You or anyone else thinks your thoughts are being listened to.
• You or your crazy uncle happens to pick up a ring of invisibility in a dungeon and now you have to wear it on a hike across the continent while it slowly gets heavier and heavier, not just heavier around your neck but around your soul all while a giant eye, lidless and wreathed in flame, searches for you from the spirit world.
• You or anyone else is just feeling a little paranoid.

Roleplay Applications  

Nondetection is one of those spells that can go a long way with a little imagination, especially if you are the DM.  

Consider:

• Having your villain cast this spell on themselves so they can not be tracked.
• An environmental feature like a waterfall that casts this spell on all those who walk beneath it (and putting your villain there!)
• Tracking your players via Clairvoyance or Scrying to impress upon them the need to take this spell, whether in their Spells Known or as a scroll.

And for the love of Gygax, DO NOT tell your players their divination magic isn’t working because the villain cast nondetection.

You need to keep the mystery in order to boost your villain’s scary-factor and make the PCs think the villain is much more powerful than he is.

For flavor, you could describe a character under the effects of this spell as having a “camouflaged aura” or that the eye just kind of slides right off of them.

Combinations 

Nondetection is like a fine wine that pairs well with other spells and abilities. Consider pairing nondetection with tiny hut to give you a safe space to get your eight hours of shuteye in guaranteed safety.

Combine nondetection with the Bard’s Song of Rest, or any other “Rest” based class ability to ensure the integrity of your sleepy-sleepy time.

When combined with pass without trace, your whole party can slip smoothly through a dungeon. Just cast nondetection on the Rogue or the Artificer, and let them disable all the traps while the rest of you trail behind.

Nondetection can also mix well in magic items. For you, a gift from the armory of the Black Citadel:

Plain Black Hoodie

Uncommon

This plain black hoodie is so anonymous that you can’t even be tracked magically.

Once per long rest, you can cast nondetection on yourself. In addition, as a bonus action, you can cast pass without trace but only on yourself, and it works for one minute.

You can use the pass-without-trace ability for a total of 1 hour per long rest. You need not use these minutes consecutively, but you must use a bonus action each minute to keep it active.

Armored Plain Black Hoodie

Rare

This plain black hoodie is made from reinforced alchemical fibers and is so anonymous that you can’t even be tracked magically.

Once per long rest, you can cast nondetection and mage armor on yourself. In addition, as a bonus action, you can cast pass without trace but only on yourself, and it works for one minute.

You can use the pass-without-trace ability for a total of 1 hour per long rest. You need not use these minutes consecutively, but you must use a bonus action each minute to keep it active.

Camo Tarp

Rare

This camo tarp can spread over a 15 radius. Everything under the net benefits from nondetection, including tents, vehicles, and creatures. Tent poles not included. Some assembly required.

Temporary Tattoo (Nondetection)

Uncommon

This tattoo will cast nondetection on the wearer once before fading away. Once receiving the tattoo, it will remain until the spell is cast.

Can Nondetection Work Against…

Most folks who come here with questions about nondetection are looking to see if the spell will work against specific other spells and circumstances.

The short answer is that nondetection will protect you from any spells that are aimed at you specifically, and it will protect you from any spells or magic items that require a magical sensor.

If you need specifics so that you can point to your DM or player and say, “Hey! Black Citadel Said So!” we got you covered.

Here is a list the magical ninja in the Citadel’s Dojo-Ryu gave me for those sneaky Citadelians who need assurance they will be unnoticed. Just scroll down to see your situation.

True Seeing? No. Nondetection protects you “from being targeted by any divination magic or through any magical sensor.” True Seeing is not a targeting spell. It allows the recipient to have truesight.

And before you ask, your eyes do not count as magical sensors. They are your eyes! Don’t argue, or I’ll get my spray bottle!

True Strike? Yes. Nondetection protects you “from being targeted by any divination magic or through any magical sensor.” True strike is included here since the cantrip requires you to “pick a target in range.”

Detect Magic / Good and Evil / Thoughts / Poison and Disease? Yes and No. Nondetection protects you “from being targeted by any divination magic or through any magical sensor.” These spells do not target you.

However, if you pass a magic item that uses these spells, you are protected since those are magical sensors. To fool a detect spell, you would need to cast magic aura.

Divine Sense? No. Nondetection protects you “from being targeted by any divination magic or through any magical sensor.” Divine Sense is not a divination magic effect.

Primeval Awareness? No. Nondetection protects you “from being targeted by any divination magic or through any magical sensor.” Primeval Awareness is not a divination magic effect.

Hunter’s Mark? Yes. Nondetection protects you “from being targeted by any divination magic or through any magical sensor.” Hunter’s Mark is a divination spell that targets a character.

Locate Animals or Plants/Object/Creature? Yes. Nondetection protects you “from being targeted by any divination magic or through any magical sensor.”

I once tracked down a wanted ranger by tracking their pet after they had cast nondetection on themselves. They forgot to protect poor fluffy too…

Mind Spike? Yes. Nondetection protects you “from being targeted by any divination magic or through any magical sensor.” Mind Spike requires the caster to choose a target.

See Invisibility – If I am also invisible? No. Nondetection protects you “from being targeted by any divination magic or through any magical sensor.” See Invisibility does not require a target.

Clairvoyance? Yes. Nondetection protects you “from being targeted by any divination magic or through any magical sensor.” Clairvoyance creates a sensor.

Tongues? No. Nondetection protects you “from being targeted by any divination magic or through any magical sensor.” Tongues does not target you.

Arcane Eye? Yes. Nondetection protects you “from being targeted by any divination magic or through any magical sensor.” Arcane Eye creates a sensor.

Rary’s Telepathic Bond? No. So long as you are a willing participant, you can be in the telepathic bond with all your friends too. It’s like sharing a password!

Scrying? Yes. Nondetection protects you “from being targeted by any divination magic or through any magical sensor.” Scrying requires a target.

Foresight? No. Foresight requires a willing target, and you can partake in any spell you are willing to.