Thaumaturgy 5e spell

Transmutation cantrip · 2024 version below

Casting time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V
Duration: Up to 1 minute
School: Transmutation
Level: Cantrip

You manifest a minor wonder, a sign of supernatural power, within range. You create one of the following magical effects within range:

Your voice booms up to three times as loud as normal for 1 minute.
You cause flames to flicker, brighten, dim, or change color for 1 minute.
You cause harmless tremors in the ground for 1 minute.
You create an instantaneous sound that originates from a point of your choice within range, such as a rumble of thunder, the cry of a raven, or ominous whispers.
You instantaneously cause an unlocked door or window to fly open or slam shut.
You alter the appearance of your eyes for 1 minute.

If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its 1-minute effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action.

How Thaumaturgy plays

You show a small sign of divine power within 30 feet. For a minute your voice can boom three times louder, flames can flicker, brighten, dim or change color, the ground can tremble harmlessly, or your eyes can change. Or you can create an instant sound, like a thunderclap or a raven’s cry, or throw an unlocked door or window open or slam it shut.

It only needs a verbal component, so you can cast it with your hands full. None of it harms anyone, but it’s great theater: a priest whose voice fills the hall while the torches gutter makes an impression that no Charisma check can.

When to pick Thaumaturgy

Clerics who talk to people. It makes sermons, threats and dramatic entrances feel like a cleric’s work.
Tieflings of the Player’s Handbook get it for free with Infernal Legacy.
Distractions. A sound from the far end of the corridor, or a door slamming in another room, draws guards away.

Common questions

Does Thaumaturgy give advantage on Intimidation?

Not by the rules. It creates the effect; whether it helps a check is up to the DM, and many grant advantage for a well-timed use.

Can Thaumaturgy open a locked door?

No. It can only fling open or slam an unlocked door or window. Knock opens locks.

How many Thaumaturgy effects can I have at once?

Up to three of its 1-minute effects, such as a booming voice, glowing eyes and flickering torches. You can dismiss one as an action.

Can the tremors knock creatures down?

No. The tremors are harmless and have no effect on anyone’s footing.

Is Thaumaturgy only for clerics?

It’s on the cleric list, and tieflings get it as a racial trait. Others can learn it with the Magic Initiate feat.

Thaumaturgy compared with other utility cantrips

Spell	How it compares
Prestidigitation	The arcane version: cleaning, warming, flavoring, small marks and sparks within 10 feet.
Druidcraft	The druid’s version: nature tricks like weather prediction and blooming flowers.
Minor Illusion	A sound or still image for a minute. Better at fooling people than impressing them.
Message	A whispered message and reply with a creature up to 120 feet away. The quiet opposite of a booming voice.
Light	An object glows like a torch for an hour. Also on the cleric list.

Classes that can cast Thaumaturgy

Class	First available	Spellcasting ability
Cleric spells	1st level (cantrip)	Wisdom

Thaumaturgy 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: 30 feet
Components: V
Duration: Up to 1 minute
School: Transmutation
Level: Cantrip
Classes: Cleric

You manifest a minor wonder within range. You create one of the effects below within range. If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its 1-minute effects active at a time.

Altered Eyes. You alter the appearance of your eyes for 1 minute.

Booming Voice. Your voice booms up to three times as loud as normal for 1 minute. For the duration, you have Advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks.

Fire Play. You cause flames to flicker, brighten, dim, or change color for 1 minute.

Invisible Hand. You instantaneously cause an unlocked door or window to fly open or slam shut.

Phantom Sound. You create an instantaneous sound that originates from a point of your choice within range, such as a rumble of thunder, the cry of a raven, or ominous whispers.

Tremors. You cause harmless tremors in the ground for 1 minute.

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

Other transmutation cantrips

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