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Speak with Animals

Divination
Level: 1st-level
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Duration: 10 minutes
Components: V, S

You gain the ability to comprehend and verbally communicate with beasts for the duration. The knowledge and awareness of many beasts is limited by their intelligence, but at a minimum, beasts can give you information about nearby locations and monsters, including whatever they can perceive or have perceived within the past day. You might be able to persuade a beast to perform a small favor for you, at the DM's discretion.

Ritual

Spell Details

School: Divination
Level: 1
Ritual: Yes
Concentration: No
Classes: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger, Ritual Caster
B-Tier Excellent utility and roleplay value with limited combat applications, highly situational effectiveness.

Player Guide

Use Speak with Animals primarily for scouting and information gathering before combat—ask friendly beasts about enemy positions, traps, and terrain hazards. During combat, coordinate with animal allies or dominate creatures through negotiation rather than force. The spell's value depends heavily on available beasts and their intelligence; a raven provides far more useful intel than a commoner's cat.

DM Tips

Use animal intelligence as a natural limiter—a beast won't understand complex strategy or abstract concepts. Consider which animals realistically inhabit your environment and whether they'd willingly help the party.