Comprehend Languages1st-level Divination
A 1st-level divination spell for bards, sorcerers, warlocks and wizards. Can be cast as a ritual.
The card
Comprehend Languages
1st-level Divination · Ritual
Comprehend Languages
Components: V, S, M (a pinch of soot and salt)
For the duration, you understand the literal meaning of any spoken language that you hear. You also understand any written language that you see, but you must be touching the surface on which the words are written. It takes about 1 minute to read one page of text.
This spell doesn't decode secret messages in a text or a glyph, such as an arcane sigil, that isn't part of a written language.
Bringing it to the table
Usage
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Add Comprehend Languages to a Character
Pick one of the classes that gets it — level and the rest fill themselves in.
The Forge
Forge a character with Comprehend Languages
Choose a class that gets this spell. The forge builds the character around it.
Bard · level 1 · pre-filled
Nearby in the book
Related Spells
Same level, or same school.
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Detect Poison and Disease
A 1st-level divination spell for clerics, druids, paladins and rangers. Requires concentration, up to 10 minutes.
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Comprehend Languages, Answered
What level spell is Comprehend Languages in 5e?
Comprehend Languages is a 1st-level divination spell, so casting it costs a 1st-level slot or higher.
What classes can cast Comprehend Languages?
Comprehend Languages appears on the bard, sorcerer, warlock and wizard spell lists in the SRD. Subclasses that draw from the wizard list, such as the Arcane Trickster and Eldritch Knight, can also gain access.
Does Comprehend Languages require concentration?
No. Comprehend Languages does not require concentration, so it runs alongside any concentration spell you already have up. Duration: 1 hour.
Can Comprehend Languages be cast as a ritual?
Yes. Comprehend Languages has the ritual tag, so it can be cast without expending a spell slot by taking an extra 10 minutes — provided your class has the Ritual Casting feature.
Put It In A Spellbook
Pick a class, and forge the character that casts it. Your first is free.
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