Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition augury offers a focused way to seek guidance on a single question by consulting higher powers. This concise divination spell is popular among players who want a quick answer without heavy commitment or complex rituals.
Whether you are a cautious scout or a devout cleric, understanding how augury works and how to interpret its ambiguous results can change the course of an adventure. The following sections explain its mechanics, optimal uses, and common misunderstandings.
| Level | Casting Time | Range | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 minute | Self | Concentration, up to 10 minutes |
| Components | Focus | School | Classes |
| Ritual | Yes | Divination | Cleric, Druid |
| Slots | 1st level or higher | Capacity | Answers per casting |
Understanding augury mechanics
How the spell works
The caster seeks a sign from their chosen divine source about the outcome of a specific course of action. The spell requires concentration for up to 10 minutes, and the answer manifests as one of three cryptic results: yes, no, or maybe.
Interpreting the results
Yes indicates a favorable outcome, no means an unfavorable outcome, and maybe suggests interference, delay, or an effect shaped by chance or another party. Players often debate whether maybe hints at timing, partial success, or outside influence.
Strategic timing usage
Picking the right moment
Augury works best when you frame a clear, concise question tied to an imminent decision, such as whether an ambush awaits the party at the next crossroads. Avoid vague or overly broad queries, because the spell responds best to actions with defined outcomes.
Ritual efficiency
As a ritual, augury can be cast without expending a spell slot, making it attractive for resource-conscious clerics and druids during downtime or long journeys when concentration is not required elsewhere. p>
Limitations and risks
Concentration constraints
Although the casting time is only a minute, maintaining concentration for up to 10 minutes can be risky in hostile environments. Interruptions, damage, or forced movement can break the spell and waste the ritual effort.
Information boundaries
The spell does not reveal details, hidden mechanics, or motivations behind events. It only hints at general success or failure, so relying solely on augury for complex plans can lead to dangerous assumptions if players ignore other sources of information.
Optimizing divination workflows
Effective use of augury fits into a broader divination workflow, where players combine short-term guidance with other spells and information gathering to reduce risk. Treat it as one tool among many rather than a universal answer key.
- Define a single, specific action to ask about, such as entering a door or opening a specific container.
- Use ritual casting in safe locations to preserve spell slots and avoid concentration conflicts during combat.
- Combine results with scouting, perception checks, and knowledge skills to contextualize ambiguous answers.
- Document past augury results to notice patterns from your table or setting-specific interpretations.
FAQ
Reader questions
Can augury be cast as a ritual by a level 1 cleric?
Yes, a level 1 cleric with the Ritual Casting feature can cast augury as a ritual without preparing it, as long as they have a divine focus available.
What happens if I ask more than one question during the casting?
You receive only one answer tied to the first clearly defined question you pose; additional questions asked within the same casting are ignored by the spell.
Does concentration on augury interact with other concentration effects?
Yes, like any concentration spell, you can maintain only one concentration spell at a time, so casting or taking damage while concentrating will end augery.
Can magic that suppresses divination block augury?
Yes, effects that block divination, such as a nondetection cast at higher level or a consecrated area with specific anti-s divination rules, can prevent augury from producing a meaningful result.