V, S, M (Ashes from a burned leaf of mistletoe and a sprig of spruce)
Duration
Concentration, Up to 1 hour
School
Abjuration
Level
2
A veil of shadows and silence radiates from you, masking you and your companions from detection. For the duration, each creature you choose within 30 feet of you (including you) has a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks and can't be tracked except by magical means. A creature that receives this bonus leaves behind no tracks or other traces of its passage.
How Pass without Trace plays
For up to an hour while you concentrate, you and every creature you choose within 30 feet of you gain a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks, leave no tracks and can’t be tracked except by magic. The effect radiates from you, so it moves as you move, and anyone who strays more than 30 feet away loses it.
A +10 is enormous. It lets the fighter in plate armor sneak as well as the rogue, and it means a group Stealth check, where half the party has to succeed, almost never fails. Getting the party past guards, scouting an enemy camp or starting a fight with the enemy surprised all come down to that one spell.
When to pick Pass without Trace
Any party that likes ambushes or infiltration. Druids and rangers should have it prepared whenever there’s sneaking to do.
Cast it before you move in. It takes an action and lasts an hour, so cast it at the edge of the forest, not at the camp.
Remember the limits. It improves Stealth checks; it doesn’t make you invisible. You still need cover, darkness or heavy foliage to hide in, and the heavy-armor Stealth disadvantage still applies, just with +10 on top.
Common questions
Does Pass without Trace move with me?
Yes. It affects creatures you choose within 30 feet of you, measured from wherever you are. Keep the party close, because anyone who moves farther than 30 feet away loses the bonus.
Does Pass without Trace help with surprise?
Yes. Surprise is decided by comparing the sneaking side’s Stealth checks with the other side’s passive Perception, so +10 to every Stealth check makes surprising them much more likely.
Does it stack with advantage or the Cloak of Elvenkind?
Yes. The +10 is a bonus to the roll, and advantage from something like a Cloak of Elvenkind or Boots of Elvenkind is a separate effect, so you get both.
Does it cancel disadvantage from heavy armor?
No. You still roll with disadvantage, but you add +10 to the result, which usually more than makes up for it.
Does Pass without Trace need concentration?
Yes, up to 1 hour. Taking damage can break it, so the caster should stay out of any fight until the ambush is sprung.
Did the 2024 rules change Pass without Trace?
Not in any way that matters. The 2024 version is a 30-foot Emanation from you that grants the same +10 to Stealth and leaves no tracks.
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 (ashes from burned mistletoe)
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 hour
School
Abjuration
Level
2
Classes
Druid, Ranger
Tags
concentration
You radiate a concealing aura in a 30-foot Emanation for the duration. While in the aura, you and each creature you choose have a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks and leave no tracks.
2024 version from the SRD 5.2. Most tables settle on one edition, so check which one yours uses.
