Locate Creature 5e spell

4th-level divination (concentration) · 2024 version below

Casting time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S, M (A bit of fur from a bloodhound)
Duration: Concentration, Up to 1 hour
School: Divination
Level: 4

Describe or name a creature that is familiar to you. You sense the direction to the creature's location, as long as that creature is within 1,000 feet of you. If the creature is moving, you know the direction of its movement.

The spell can locate a specific creature known to you, or the nearest creature of a specific kind (such as a human or a unicorn), so long as you have seen such a creature up close—within 30 feet—at least once. If the creature you described or named is in a different form, such as being under the effects of a polymorph spell, this spell doesn't locate the creature.

This spell can't locate a creature if running water at least 10 feet wide blocks a direct path between you and the creature.

Classes that can cast Locate Creature

Class	First available	Spellcasting ability
Bard spells	7th character level	Charisma
Cleric spells	7th character level	Wisdom
Druid spells	7th character level	Wisdom
Paladin spells	13th character level	Charisma
Ranger spells	13th character level	Wisdom
Wizard spells	7th character level	Intelligence

Locate Creature in the 2024 rules

The 2024 Player’s Handbook revised many spells, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new text. What changed from the 2014 version above:

Same level, casting time, range, components, duration and dice; the text is reworded for the 2024 rules glossary.

Casting time: Action
Range: Self
Components: V, S, M (fur from a bloodhound)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
School: Divination
Level: 4
Classes: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger, Wizard
Tags: concentration

Describe or name a creature that is familiar to you. You sense the direction to the creature's location if that creature is within 1,000 feet of you. If the creature is moving, you know the direction of its movement.

The spell can locate a specific creature known to you or the nearest creature of a specific kind (such as a human or a unicorn) if you have seen such a creature up close—within 30 feet—at least once. If the creature you described or named is in a different form, such as under the effects of a Flesh to Stone or Polymorph spell, this spell doesn't locate the creature.

This spell can't locate a creature if any thickness of lead blocks a direct path between you and the creature.

2024 version from the SRD 5.2. Most tables settle on one edition, so check which one yours uses.

Other 4th-level divination spells

Browse: all 4th-level spells · divination spells · concentration spells