Message 5e
Message lets you whisper to one creature within 120 feet so that only it hears you, and it can whisper a reply only you hear. The spell lasts 1 round. In the 2024 rules it needs no verbal component, just a gesture and a copper wire, which makes it one of the quietest spells in the game.
Message at a glance
| Level | Cantrip transmutation |
| Casting time | 1 action |
| Range | 120 feet |
| Components | S, M (a copper wire) |
| Duration | 1 round |
| Classes | Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard |
| Resolution | Automatic; no attack roll or saving throw |
How Message works
How it works: Point at a creature within 120 feet and whisper. Only that creature hears you, and it can answer with a whisper only you hear. That is one exchange; the spell lasts 1 round, so a real conversation means casting it again.
Through walls: You can send a message through solid objects if you know the target and know it is on the other side. Magical silence stops it, and so do 1 foot of stone, metal or wood, or a thin sheet of lead in the 2024 text. The 2014 text was more specific: 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead or 3 feet of wood.
Why the 2024 version matters: With only somatic and material components, nobody nearby hears you cast it. That makes it the spell for coordinating a heist, warning the rogue across the ballroom, or feeding the bard lines during a negotiation. The target still needs to understand your language for the words to mean anything.
Common mistake: It costs your action. In combat it's rarely worth it, since talking is free on your turn anyway. Save it for situations where being overheard is the problem. For a scout who must stay quiet, pair it with Minor Illusion to cover your tracks.
Message: 2014 vs 2024 rules
| 2014 PHB | 2024 PHB | |
|---|---|---|
| Components | V, S, M (a short piece of copper wire) | S, M (a copper wire) |
| Blocked by | Magical silence, 1 ft stone, 1 in common metal, thin lead sheet, 3 ft wood | Magical silence, 1 ft stone, metal or wood, thin lead sheet |
| Classes | Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard | Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard |
| Range and duration | 120 feet, 1 round | 120 feet, 1 round |
Message FAQ
Can other people hear the Message spell?
No. Only the target hears your message, and only you hear its whispered reply.
Does Message have a verbal component?
In the 2024 rules, no: it needs only a gesture and a copper wire. In the 2014 rules it had verbal, somatic and material components.
Can Message go through walls?
Yes, if you are familiar with the target and know it is beyond the barrier. Magical silence, a thin sheet of lead, or 1 foot of stone, metal or wood (2024) blocks it.
How long does a Message last?
One round. You get one whisper and the target gets one whispered reply.
Related
Other cantrips
- Acid Splash
- Chill Touch
- Dancing Lights
- Druidcraft
- Elementalism
- Fire Bolt
- Guidance
- Light
- Mage Hand
- Mending
- Minor Illusion
- Poison Spray
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