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Detect Thoughts2nd-level Divination · Concentration

Surface thoughts are free. Digging deeper costs a save — and your cover.

Level
2nd
School
Divination
Casting Time
1 action
Range
Self
Duration
Conc.

The card

Detect Thoughts

2nd-level Divination

Detect Thoughts

Casting
1 action
Range
Self
Duration
Concentration

Components: V, S, M (a copper coin)

For the duration, you can read the thoughts of certain creatures. When you cast the spell and as your action on each turn until the spell ends, you can focus your mind on any one creature that you can see within 30 feet of you. If the creature you choose has an Intelligence of 3 or lower or doesn't speak any language, the creature is unaffected.

You initially learn the surface thoughts of the creature - what is most on its mind in that moment. As an action, you can either shift your attention to another creature's thoughts or attempt to probe deeper into the same creature's mind. If you probe deeper, the target must make a Wisdom saving throw. If it fails, you gain insight into its reasoning (if any), its emotional state, and something that looms large in its mind (such as something it worries over, loves, or hates). If it succeeds, the spell ends. Either way, the target knows that you are probing into its mind, and unless you shift your attention to another creature's thoughts, the creature can use its action on its turn to make an Intelligence check contested by your Intelligence check; if it succeeds, the spell ends.

Questions verbally directed at the target creature naturally shape the course of its thoughts, so this spell is particularly effective as part of an interrogation.

You can also use this spell to detect the presence of thinking creatures you can't see. When you cast the spell or as your action during the duration, you can search for thoughts within 30 feet of you. The spell can penetrate barriers, but 2 feet of rock, 2 inches of any metal other than lead, or a thin sheet of lead blocks you. You can't detect a creature with an Intelligence of 3 or lower or one that doesn't speak any language.

Once you detect the presence of a creature in this way, you can read its thoughts for the rest of the duration as described above, even if you can't see it, but it must still be within range.

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Usage

Available toBardSorcererWizard

Best Used For

1Surface thoughts need no save at all. Focus on a creature within 30 feet and you learn what is most on its mind — the lie, the price, the ambush it is about to spring.
2Probing deeper is the gamble. Wisdom save: fail and you get its reasoning and what looms large in its mind; succeed and the spell simply ends. Either way it knows someone is in there.
3It is a searchlight too — search for thoughts within 30 feet and you find the thinking thing behind the door. Two feet of rock or a thin sheet of lead blocks it.
4Intelligence 3 or lower, or no language, and the creature is immune. Do not try to read the guard dog.

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Bard · level 3 · pre-filled

Counsel

Detect Thoughts, Answered

Does the target know you are reading their thoughts?

Only if you probe deeper. Reading surface thoughts needs no save and goes unnoticed. The moment you probe, the target saves and — pass or fail — knows someone is probing its mind.

What happens if the target succeeds on the save?

The spell ends outright. It can also end afterwards: once it knows, it can use its action to make an Intelligence check contested by yours, and the spell ends if it wins.

What can Detect Thoughts not read?

Any creature with an Intelligence of 3 or lower, or one that does not speak a language, is unaffected — most beasts, oozes and constructs.

Can Detect Thoughts find hidden creatures?

Yes. You can search for the thoughts of thinking creatures you cannot see within 30 feet. It penetrates most barriers, but 2 feet of rock, 2 inches of any metal other than lead, or a thin sheet of lead blocks it.

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