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Detect Poison and Disease

Divination
Level: 1st-level
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Duration: Up to 10 minutes
Components: V, S, M
Materials: A yew leaf.

For the duration, you can sense the presence and location of poisons, poisonous creatures, and diseases within 30 feet of you. You also identify the kind of poison, poisonous creature, or disease in each case. The spell can penetrate most barriers, but it is blocked by 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt.

Concentration Ritual

Spell Details

School: Divination
Level: 1
Ritual: Yes
Concentration: Yes
Classes: Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger, Ritual Caster
B-Tier A situationally powerful utility spell that excels in specific scenarios like investigating poisonings or navigating hazardous environments, but lacks combat versatility and requires prior knowledge to be truly valuable.

Player Guide

Use this spell before entering potentially dangerous areas, particularly dungeons, swamps, or locations where poison traps are expected, to identify threats before they harm your party. The 30-foot range and ability to penetrate most barriers makes it ideal for scouting ahead without direct exposure. Identify the specific poison or disease to determine appropriate countermeasures—knowing it's a black dragon's poison versus a spider's venom helps you prepare cure spells or antitoxins accordingly. Cast this as a ritual when possible to conserve spell slots, since its utility often matters more in exploration than combat.

DM Tips

Clarify whether the spell identifies poisons on weapons or objects versus airborne toxins, and establish how specific the identification is—does the caster learn exact lethality or only the poison type? Remember the spell requires concentration and lasts only 10 minutes per casting, so it's best used during exploration phases rather than continuous monitoring.