Sanctuary is a 1st-level cleric abjuration cast as a bonus action on a creature within 30 feet. For 1 minute, any creature that targets the warded creature with an attack or a harmful spell must first make a Wisdom saving throw. On a fail, it must pick a new target or lose the attack or spell. In 2014 rules, the ward ends if the warded creature attacks or casts a spell that affects an enemy. It does not stop area effects and does not need concentration.
Sanctuary is a 1st-level abjuration spell that makes one creature hard to target. Clerics get it at 1st level. It costs only a bonus action, lasts a minute, and needs no concentration, so it does not compete with Bless or Spirit Guardians.
The ward fits a character who does not need to attack. In the 2014 rules, a cleric under Sanctuary can heal allies, Dodge, Help, or stabilize the dying without ending it. That makes it a strong tool for a party healer, a downed ally, or someone carrying a vital item. It is weak against area damage, which ignores it entirely, and against enemies with high Wisdom saves.
The 2024 rules made it much stricter. Casting any spell now ends it, including healing.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Level | 1 |
| School | Abjuration |
| Casting Time | 1 bonus action |
| Range | 30 feet |
| Components | V, S, M |
| Material | A small silver mirror. |
| Duration | 1 minute |
| Concentration | No |
| Ritual | No |
| Save/Attack | WIS |
| Classes | Cleric |
| Metric | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Slot Efficiency | Good. One 1st-level slot gives up to 10 rounds of protection. |
| Action Economy | Excellent. It costs a bonus action and leaves your action free. |
| Opportunity Cost | A bonus action and a 1st-level slot. In 2014 rules, your action that turn can only be a cantrip if you want to cast a spell with it. |
When worth the slot: Protecting a downed ally, a healer focused on support, a hostage, or a character who needs to cross a battlefield safely.
When NOT worth the slot: When the warded creature will attack next turn, or when enemies mostly use area effects.
Why it works: A creature at 0 hit points is unconscious, and hits from within 5 feet are critical hits that cause two death save failures. Sanctuary forces a Wisdom save before an enemy can attack it at all.
This avoids the mistake of: Leaving a dying ally exposed while you are out of reach to heal them.
Why it works: The 2014 ward only ends if you attack or cast a spell that affects an enemy. Healing an ally, buffing allies, Dodge, and Help do not end it.
This avoids the mistake of: Thinking Sanctuary means you can do nothing.
Why it works: A non-combatant or a character carrying a key item can cross a fight while enemies must save before attacking it.
This avoids the mistake of: Spending your strongest slots trying to kill everything before the escort moves.
Why it works: The ward lasts a full minute without concentration as long as the warded creature behaves. A fighter who will attack next turn ends it right away.
This avoids the mistake of: Warding your best damage dealer and losing the spell on their next turn.
Why it's bad: The spell says it does not protect against area effects, like the explosion of a fireball.
Do this instead: Pair it with spreading out, cover, or features that help against saves.
Why it's bad: On a failed save, the attacker must choose a new target or lose the attack. If another target is in reach, the damage just moves.
Do this instead: Use it where the warded creature is the only good target, or when moving damage onto a sturdier ally is fine.
Why it's bad: In 2024, the spell ends if the warded creature casts any spell, makes an attack roll, or deals damage. Healing Word ends it.
Do this instead: Under 2024 rules, ward someone who only needs to move, Dodge, or use items.
Why it's bad: In 2014, after you cast a bonus-action spell, the only other spell you can cast that turn is a cantrip with a 1-action casting time. In 2024, you can expend only one spell slot per turn.
Do this instead: Cast Sanctuary with your bonus action and use your action for a cantrip, Dodge, or Help.
The 2024 version changes both the trigger and the end condition. The save now applies to any creature that targets the warded creature with an attack roll or a damaging spell. A spell that targets it without dealing damage, such as a charm or hold effect, no longer needs the save. It still offers no protection from areas of effect.
The end condition is much stricter. The spell ends if the warded creature makes an attack roll, casts a spell, or deals damage. In 2014 it ended only on an attack or a spell that affected an enemy. That means a warded 2024 cleric cannot cast Healing Word without ending the ward. Casting time (bonus action), range (30 feet), duration (1 minute), and class (Cleric) are unchanged. The material is now a shard of glass from a mirror.
You ward a creature within 30 feet as a bonus action. For 1 minute, any creature that targets it with an attack or harmful spell must first succeed on a Wisdom save, or choose a new target or lose the attack or spell. It does not stop area effects.
In 2014 rules, the warded creature making an attack or casting a spell that affects an enemy creature ends it. In 2024 rules, making an attack roll, casting any spell, or dealing damage ends it.
Under 2014 rules, yes. Healing an ally does not affect an enemy, so it does not end the ward. Under 2024 rules, casting any spell ends Sanctuary, including healing spells.
No. The spell does not protect the warded creature from area effects such as Fireball or a breath weapon, because those do not target it.
No. It lasts 1 minute without concentration, so the caster can also hold Bless or another concentration spell.
Yes. The spell targets a creature within 30 feet, and you are a creature within range.
Yes, in the right situations. It protects a downed ally, a non-combatant, or a support caster for a bonus action and one 1st-level slot. It is weak against area damage and when enemies have other good targets nearby.
In 2014 rules, a grapple or shove is described as a special melee attack, so the usual reading is that it requires the save; confirm with your DM. In 2024 rules, a grapple or shove forces a saving throw instead of an attack roll, and Sanctuary only triggers on attack rolls and damaging spells, so read literally it does not stop them.
Citations: api:spells/sanctuary; SRD 5.1; SRD 5.2.1
Includes SRD content per CC BY 4.0. Sources: dnd5eapi.co, System Reference Document 5.1 and 5.2.1.
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