Sanctuary

Sanctuary is a level 1 abjuration spell. It allows spellcasters to ward themselves or an ally against enemy attacks.

Description

You or an ally cannot be targeted until you attack or harm a creature. You can still take damage from area spells.

Until the affected entity attacks or harms another creature, it cannot be targeted by enemy attacks. However, it can still take damage from spells that influence a larger area.

Properties

Cost

 Bonus Action +  Level 1 Spell Slot

Details

 Range: 18 m (60 ft)

At higher levels

Casting this spell at a higher level grants no additional benefit.

Technical details

UID

Target_Sanctuary

Spell flags

HasSomaticComponent, HasVerbalComponent, IsSpell

Condition: Sanctuary

 Sanctuary

Duration: 10 turns

• Affected entity can't be targeted by enemy attacks or spells. However, it can still take damage from spells that influence a larger area. Condition ends if the affected entity attacks or harms another creature, and will receive  Sanctuary Blocked for 1 turn.

How to learn

Classes:

• Class level 1: Cleric
• Class level 3: Oath of Devotion (Oath Spell)
• Class level 6: College of Lore (via Magical Secrets)
• Class level 10: Bard (via Magical Secrets)

Granted by features:

•  Magic Initiate: Cleric

Notes

• There are several actions and effects that a creature under Sanctuary can use which end the spell early:
  • Weapon attacks that hit or damage something
  • Self-inflicted damage^[verify]
  •  Shove
  •  Throw – this applies to any object, including healing potions^[verify]
  • Damage dealt by a surface created by the creature under Sanctuary or a condition inflicted by the surface – regardless of when the surface was created
  • Damage dealt by a condition the creature under Sanctuary inflicted – regardless of when the condition was inflicted
    • This does not include cases where the condition is not attributed to the creature under Sanctuary, such as  Singing Sword: Shriek^[verify]
  •  Reactions that target an enemy, such as:^[verify]
    •  Counterspell
    •  Opportunity Attack – only if it hits
    •  Cutting Words
• There are some seemingly harmful actions and effects that a creature under Sanctuary can use which do not end the spell:
  • Weapon attacks that miss
  • Damage dealt by controlled summons
  •  Hypnotic Gaze
  •  Sleet Storm 
  •  Moonbeam  or  Move Moonbeam – regardless of whether or not damage is dealt
  •  Flaming Revenge or  Psionic Revenge
  •  Portent Die or  Bend Luck: Ability Check Penalty
  •  Gust of Wind or  Chromatic Orb – provided no damage is dealt^[verify]
• The incantation for Sanctuary is Mactē Virtutē, Latin for "With great virtue".

Bugs

• Creatures affected by Sanctuary can still be targeted with  Blight,  Chain Lightning, and  Thorn Whip, due to these spells lacking the IsHarmful spell flag. For the same reason, a large number of NPC actions (for example,  Sharp Rock) can target creatures that are affected by Sanctuary.

External links

• ⁠Sanctuary on the Forgotten Realms Wiki