Choose one creature, object, or magical effect within range. Any spell of 3rd level or lower on the target ends. For each spell of 4th level or higher on the target, make an ability check using your spellcasting ability. The DC equals 10 + the spell's level. On a successful check, the spell ends.
At higher levels
When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, you automatically end the effects of a spell on the target if the spell's level is equal to or less than the level of the spell slot you used.
How Dispel Magic plays
Choose one creature, object or magical effect within 120 feet. Every spell of 3rd level or lower on it ends. For each spell of 4th level or higher, you make an ability check with your spellcasting ability against DC 10 + that spell’s level, and on a success that spell ends too. Cast it with a higher slot and any spell of that level or lower ends automatically.
It’s the answer to magic that’s already in play: a Wall of Fire blocking the way, an ally who’s been held or polymorphed, an enemy flying or hasted, a glyph on a door. Where Counterspell stops a spell while it’s being cast, Dispel Magic cleans up after one that got through.
When to pick Dispel Magic
Almost every caster should have access to it. Bards, clerics, druids, paladins, sorcerers, warlocks and wizards can all learn or prepare it.
Target the biggest spell. Ending an enemy’s Haste is doubly good: the creature also loses its next turn to the spell’s lethargy.
Upcast when you know the level. A 5th-level slot guarantees the end of a 5th-level spell; with a 3rd-level slot you’d need a check total of 15 or more.
Don’t waste it on instantaneous spells. Once a spell with an instantaneous duration has taken effect, like healing or Animate Dead, there’s nothing left to dispel.
Common questions
What can Dispel Magic end?
Spells with a duration that are still running on the creature, object or effect you target: charms, curses from spells, walls, wards, transformations and buffs. It can’t undo instantaneous spells, so it won’t end the damage from a fireball, heal back hit points, or destroy skeletons raised by Animate Dead.
Does Dispel Magic work on magic items?
It doesn’t switch off a magic item’s own properties. It does end a spell with a duration that came from an item, like a wall conjured by a wand or staff, because that’s still a spell.
What’s the DC to dispel a higher-level spell?
10 + the spell’s level: 14 for a 4th-level spell, 19 for a 9th-level one. You add your spellcasting ability modifier to the d20, plus your proficiency bonus only if something lets you add it to ability checks.
Can Dispel Magic end a summoned creature?
Most tables say yes for summons that last as long as a spell does, like Conjure Animals: targeting the creature ends the spell holding it there. Creatures raised with an instantaneous spell, like Animate Dead, can’t be dispelled.
Dispel Magic or Counterspell?
Take both if you can. Counterspell is a reaction that stops a spell before it lands; Dispel Magic uses your action to end one that’s already working. Dispel Magic is on far more class lists, so every party can find a caster for it.
Can Dispel Magic remove a curse?
Only if the curse is a spell, like Bestow Curse. For curses in general, and to break attunement to a cursed item, use Remove Curse.
Choose one creature, object, or magical effect within range. Any ongoing spell of level 3 or lower on the target ends. For each ongoing spell of level 4 or higher on the target, make an ability check using your spellcasting ability (DC 10 plus that spell's level). On a successful check, the spell ends.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. You automatically end a spell on the target if the spell's level is equal to or less than the level of the spell slot you use.
2024 version from the SRD 5.2. Most tables settle on one edition, so check which one yours uses.
