Pass Without Trace 5e is a popular spell in Dungeons & Dragons that allows characters to move stealthily and evade detection. This powerful spell can be a valuable asset in a variety of situations, from sneaking past enemies to avoiding traps and obstacles.
In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of Pass Without Trace, including its history, how to cast it, its advantages and limitations, and strategies for using it effectively in combat. Whether you’re a seasoned D&D player or just starting out, this guide will help you make the most of this valuable spell.
Explanation of what “Pass Without Trace” is
Pass Without Trace is a spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition that enables characters to move stealthily and avoid detection. When cast, this spell shrouds the subject creatures in a veil of shadow and silence, making them harder to see and hear.
Specifically, the spell grants the following benefits to the affected creatures:
- +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks: This bonus applies to any checks made to move silently, hide, or avoid detection. This makes it much easier for the affected creatures to slip past guards, sneak up on enemies, or evade detection by traps and other hazards.
- Creatures leave no tracks or other traces of their passage: This means that they can move through areas without leaving any physical evidence of their presence. This can be especially useful when trying to avoid detection by enemies or tracking creatures.
- Creatures can’t be tracked except by magical means: This benefit means that even if enemies are actively searching for the affected creatures, they won’t be able to follow their trail. Only magical tracking methods such as scrying or divination spells will be able to locate the creatures.
History of Pass Without Trace
The Pass Without Trace spell has been a part of the Dungeons & Dragons universe since the game’s early editions. It first appeared in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition Player’s Handbook in 1989 and has since been included in every subsequent edition of the game, including the current 5th edition.
In the early editions of D&D, Pass Without Trace was primarily used as a utility spell to help characters move through wilderness areas undetected. It provided a bonus to characters’ chances of avoiding detection by enemies and helped them move through difficult terrain without leaving a trail.
In later editions, Pass Without Trace was expanded to include more general stealth benefits, making it a valuable tool for characters in a variety of situations. The current 5th edition version of the spell provides a significant bonus to Stealth checks, makes characters harder to track, and prevents them from leaving tracks or other traces of their passage.
In some campaign settings, Pass Without Trace has been adapted to include additional benefits or limitations. For example, in the Eberron campaign setting, the spell is limited to affecting only creatures native to the material plane, and in the Dark Sun setting, it can only be used in natural environments, such as deserts or forests.
In addition to tabletop RPGs, Pass Without Trace has also appeared in various video games based on the Dungeons & Dragons universe, such as Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights. In these games, the spell functions similarly to its tabletop counterpart, providing characters with a bonus to stealth and making them harder to detect.
Overall, the Pass Without Trace spell has a rich history in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, dating back to the game’s earliest editions. Its versatility and usefulness have made it a popular tool for characters seeking to move stealthily and avoid detection, and its adaptations in various campaign settings and adaptations have kept it relevant throughout the game’s history.
How to Cast Pass Without Trace 5e
Casting the Pass Without Trace spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition requires a character to meet certain requirements and follow a specific set of steps. Here is a breakdown of how to cast the spell,
Requirements
Before attempting to cast the Pass Without Trace spell, a character must meet certain requirements. They must be a spellcaster capable of casting 2nd-level spells and have the spell prepared. They must also have access to the material components required to cast the spell.
Material Components
The Pass Without Trace spell requires two material components: a pinch of ash, and a sprig of mistletoe. The character casting the spell must have these components on hand and be able to use them during the casting.
Casting the Spell
To cast the Pass Without Trace spell, the character must follow these steps:
Choose up to ten creatures within range (30 feet) to be affected by the spell.
The caster must present the material components (pinch of ash and a sprig of mistletoe) and utter an incantation.
The spell takes effect, and the affected creatures are shrouded in shadow and silence, granting them a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks and making them harder to detect.
Duration
The Pass Without Trace spell’s effects last for up to one hour or until the affected creatures take an action that breaks their stealth, such as attacking or casting a spell.
Higher-level Casting
If the caster has access to a higher-level spell slot, they can choose to cast Pass Without Trace using that slot to increase the number of creatures affected by the spell. When cast using a 3rd-level slot, the spell can affect up to 15 creatures. At the 4th level, it can affect up to 20 creatures, and so on.
Advantages and Limitations of Pass Without Trace
Pass Without Trace is a powerful spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition that enables characters to move stealthily and avoid detection. Pass Without Trace is a powerful spell that offers numerous advantages in stealth situations.
However, it also has limitations that must be carefully considered and managed to make the most of its benefits. By using the spell strategically and combining it with other abilities and tactics, characters can gain a significant advantage in a wide range of situations.
Here is a breakdown of the advantages and limitations of Pass Without Trace in complete detail:
Advantages:
- Increased Stealth: One of the primary advantages of Pass Without Trace is that it grants a significant bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks. The +10 bonus can make a significant difference in the success of stealth efforts and enable characters to move silently, hide, and avoid detection with ease.
- No Traces Left: Another advantage of the spell is that it enables characters to move through areas without leaving any physical evidence of their presence. This can be particularly useful when trying to avoid detection by enemies or tracking creatures.
- Protection Against Tracking: The spell also offers protection against tracking by non-magical means. This means that even if enemies are actively searching for the affected characters, they won’t be able to follow their trail. Only magical tracking methods such as scrying or divination spells will be able to locate the characters.
- Versatility: Pass Without Trace is a versatile spell that can be used in a wide range of situations. Whether characters need to sneak past guards, infiltrate a hostile area, or simply move through a dangerous wilderness without being detected, the spell can provide them with a significant advantage.
Limitations:
- Limited Duration: One of the primary limitations of Pass Without Trace is that its effects only last for up to one hour or until the affected characters take an action that breaks their stealth, such as attacking or casting a spell. This means that characters must use the spell strategically and carefully to make the most of its benefits.
- Limited Range: Pass Without Trace has a relatively short range of 30 feet, which means that characters must be within that range to benefit from its effects. This can make it challenging to use in larger or more spread-out environments.
- Limited Targets: The spell can only affect up to ten creatures at once. While this is often enough to cover a small party of adventurers, larger groups may find it challenging to benefit from the spell’s effects.
- Limited Protection: Pass Without Trace only offers protection against tracking by non-magical means. Characters who are being actively hunted or tracked by magical means may still be detected, making the spell less useful in these situations.
Who Can Cast Pass Without Trace 5e?
Pass Without Trace is a spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition that can be cast by characters who have access to the Druid or Ranger spell lists. In addition, certain subclasses of other classes may also gain access to the spell. Here is a breakdown of the classes and subclasses that can cast Pass Without Trace:
| Class | Subclasses |
| Druid | All subclasses |
| Ranger | All subclasses |
| Sorcerer | Shadow Magic |
| Rogue | Arcane Trickster, Thief |
| Warlock | The Hexblade (Pact of the Blade feature) |
| Wizard | Bladesinger (Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide) |
Druids gain access to Pass Without Trace at 2nd level, while Rangers gain access to it at 3rd level. The spell can be cast using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher and requires verbal and somatic components. The caster must also have a focus, such as a sprig of pine or spruce, which is consumed during the casting of the spell.
In addition to the Druid and Ranger classes, other subclasses may also gain access to Pass Without Trace.
For example, the Shadow Magic Sorcerer subclass gains access to the spell at 3rd level. The Arcane Trickster Rogue subclass gains access to the spell at the 9th level, while the Thief Rogue subclass gains access to it at the 13th level.
The Hexblade Warlock subclass also gains access to Pass Without Trace through the Pact of the Blade feature. Finally, the Bladesinger Wizard subclass, introduced in the Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide, gains access to the spell at 2nd level.
It’s worth noting that while these classes and subclasses have access to Pass Without Trace, they may have different ways of using the spell or variations on its effects. Players should consult their class and subclass features to understand how they can utilize the spell fully.
Furthermore, a character’s background may also play a role in their ability to cast Pass Without Trace. Backgrounds such as Outlander or Hermit, which emphasize survival and wilderness skills, may be more likely to have characters who can cast the spell.
Whether a character can cast Pass Without Trace depends on their class, subclass, level, and other factors such as their background. Players should work with their DM to create a character that fits their desired playstyle and abilities, including the use of spells like Pass Without Trace.
Pass Without Trace 5e Concentration
Pass Without Trace is a spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition that provides a significant bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks and can help characters move around unnoticed. However, the spell requires concentration to maintain, which means the caster cannot use other concentration spells at the same time.
Concentration is a mechanic in D&D 5e that limits a character’s ability to maintain multiple spells at once. When a character casts a spell that requires concentration, they must maintain their focus on the spell for the duration of its effect. While concentrating on a spell, a character cannot cast other spells that also require concentration.
Pass Without Trace is a concentration spell that lasts for up to one hour. During this time, the caster must maintain their concentration on the spell to keep the veil of shadows and silence in place. If the caster takes damage or becomes incapacitated, they must make a Constitution saving throw to maintain their concentration on the spell. If they fail the saving throw, the spell ends, and the bonus to Stealth checks is lost.
It’s important to note that the concentration requirement for Pass Without Trace can limit a character’s ability to use other spells in combat.
For example, if a character casts Pass Without Trace and then tries to cast a spell like Hold Person or Invisibility, they would not be able to maintain both spells at the same time. They would need to choose which spell to concentrate on and let the other spell end.
Players should carefully consider their spells and abilities when using Pass Without Trace in combat. While the spell can provide a significant advantage, its concentration requirement means that characters must choose their actions carefully to avoid losing the bonus to Stealth checks.
If used effectively, Pass Without Trace can be a powerful tool for moving around unnoticed and gaining a tactical advantage in combat.
How to Use Pass Without Trace 5e in Combat
Pass Without Trace 5e is a spell in Dungeons & Dragons that can provide a significant advantage in combat situations. While the spell is primarily used for stealth and exploration, it can also be used effectively in combat to help characters move around the battlefield unnoticed and gain a tactical advantage over their enemies. In this article, we will explore how to use Pass Without Trace in combat in complete detail.
First, let’s review what Pass Without Trace does. The spell creates a veil of shadows and silence around the caster and any creatures within 30 feet of them. This grants a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks and makes it difficult for enemies to detect the presence of the caster and their allies. The spell lasts for up to one hour, but it requires concentration to maintain.
One effective way to use Pass Without Trace in combat is to have the caster and their allies move around the battlefield unnoticed to gain a tactical advantage over their enemies.
This can be especially useful for characters who rely on ranged attacks, as they can move into position without drawing the attention of the enemy. It can also help melee characters get into position to launch surprise attacks or flank enemies.
When using Pass Without Trace 5e spell in combat, it’s important to remember that the spell only provides a bonus to Stealth checks, not total invisibility.
Characters still need to stay behind the cover and avoid making noise to avoid detection. If they attack an enemy or are detected in any way, the bonus to Stealth checks ends and the enemies become aware of their presence.
Another effective way to use Pass Without Trace in combat is to use it to set up ambushes or surprise attacks. For example, a group of characters could use the spell to move around the battlefield unnoticed, then suddenly appear behind a group of enemies and launch a surprise attack.
This can catch enemies off guard and allow characters to quickly dispatch them before they have a chance to respond.
Pass Without Trace 5e spell can also be used to retreat from combat if necessary. If characters find themselves in a dangerous situation, they can use the spell to move away from the enemy unnoticed and avoid further conflict. This can be especially useful if the characters are outnumbered or outmatched.
It’s important to note that while Pass Without Trace can provide a significant advantage in combat, it does have limitations. The spell requires concentration to maintain, which means the caster cannot use other concentration spells at the same time.
Additionally, the spell only affects creatures within 30 feet of the caster, so characters who move too far away from the caster will lose the bonus to Stealth checks.
Pass Without Trace can be a powerful tool in combat when used effectively. By moving around the battlefield unnoticed and gaining a tactical advantage over enemies, characters can take control of the situation and emerge victorious.
However, it’s important to use the spell wisely and remember its limitations to avoid being caught off guard.
Pass Without Trace vs Other Stealth-Boosting Spells
Pass Without Trace 5e is a powerful spell in Dungeons & Dragons that provides a significant bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks. However, it’s not the only spell that can boost a character’s ability to move around unnoticed. Let’s take a closer look at Pass Without Trace compared to other stealth-boosting spells in D&D 5e.
Pass Without Trace vs Invisibility
Invisibility is another popular spell that can help characters move around unnoticed. However, unlike Pass Without Trace, Invisibility doesn’t provide a bonus to Stealth checks. Instead, it makes the character invisible, making it more difficult for enemies to detect them.
While Invisibility can be a powerful tool for avoiding combat and sneaking past enemies, it has some limitations. First, the spell ends if the character attacks or casts a spell.
This means that if the character is trying to move past enemies undetected, they must be careful not to take any actions that would break the spell. Additionally, Invisibility lasts only up to one hour, whereas Pass Without Trace lasts up to eight hours if the caster maintains concentration.
Pass Without Trace vs Silence
Silence is a spell that creates a zone of magical silence, making it impossible for enemies to hear anything inside the area. While Silence can be useful for sneaking past enemies, it doesn’t provide any bonus to Stealth checks like Pass Without Trace does.
Additionally, Silence has some limitations. First, it only affects a small area around the caster, whereas Pass Without Trace can provide a bonus to Stealth checks for the entire party. Additionally, Silence only lasts for up to ten minutes, whereas Pass Without Trace can last for up to eight hours if the caster maintains concentration.
Pass Without Trace vs Greater Invisibility
Greater Invisibility is a more powerful version of the Invisibility spell that also provides an advantage on attack rolls. Like Invisibility, Greater Invisibility doesn’t provide a bonus to Stealth checks like Pass Without Trace does.
While Greater Invisibility can be a powerful tool for avoiding combat and gaining an advantage on attack rolls, it has some limitations. First, the spell ends if the character attacks or casts a spell. This means that if the character is trying to move past enemies undetected, they must be careful not to take any actions that would break the spell.
Additionally, Greater Invisibility lasts only up to one minute, whereas Pass Without Trace lasts up to eight hours if the caster maintains concentration.
Pass Without Trace vs Darkness
Darkness is a spell that creates a zone of magical darkness, making it difficult for enemies to see anything inside the area. While Darkness can be useful for sneaking past enemies, it doesn’t provide any bonus to Stealth checks like Pass Without Trace does.
Additionally, Darkness has some limitations. First, it only affects a small area around the caster, whereas Pass Without Trace can provide a bonus to Stealth checks for the entire party. Additionally, Darkness lasts only up to ten minutes, whereas Pass Without Trace lasts up to eight hours if the caster maintains concentration.
Pass Without Trace is a versatile and powerful spell that provides a significant bonus to Stealth checks. While other stealth-boosting spells like Invisibility, Silence, Greater Invisibility, and Darkness can also be useful in certain situations.
Pass Without Trace’s ability to provide a bonus to the entire party for an extended period of time makes it a popular choice for many D&D players.
Conclusion
Pass Without Trace is a highly useful spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition that provides a significant bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks, allowing characters to move around undetected. While there are other stealth-boosting spells like Invisibility, Silence, Greater Invisibility, and Darkness.
Pass Without Trace’s ability to provide a bonus to the entire party for an extended period of time makes it a popular choice for many D&D players.
It is important to note that the spell requires concentration to maintain and has some limitations, but overall, it is a versatile and powerful tool that can help players navigate challenging situations with ease.
FAQs
Does Pass Without Trace 5e work against all types of detection?
Pass Without Trace is a powerful spell that provides a significant bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks for the caster and any willing creatures within a 30-foot radius.
While it can greatly enhance a character’s ability to remain undetected, it is important to understand its limitations in terms of the types of detection it can affect.
Pass Without Trace specifically provides a bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks, which are used to avoid being detected by sight or hearing. This means that the spell can be very effective against enemies who rely on these senses to detect characters, such as guards or creatures with keen insights.
However, Pass Without Trace does not provide any bonuses to checks made to avoid detection through other means, such as scent or magical detection.
Characters attempting to avoid detection from creatures with a strong sense of smell, such as wolves or dire bears, may need to rely on other methods, such as disguises or distractions.
Similarly, Pass Without Trace does not provide any bonuses to checks made to avoid detection through magical means, such as spells that reveal invisible or hidden creatures.
Characters attempting to avoid detection from magical detection methods may need to rely on other spells or abilities, such as Invisibility or Silence.
Can Pass Without Trace 5e Stack?
No, Pass Without Trace does not stack with itself or other spells that provide a bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks. According to the Player’s Handbook, “spells and other magical effects can’t increase the target’s effective Dexterity (Stealth) check result by more than +20.”
Since Pass Without Trace already provides a significant bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks (a +10 bonus), attempting to stack it with another spell that provides a similar bonus would be redundant and not allowed by the rules.
However, it is important to note that Pass Without Trace can still be used in conjunction with other methods of avoiding detection, such as disguises or distractions. Players should also consider other spells or abilities that can enhance their stealth, such as Invisibility or Silence, which can be used in combination with Pass Without Trace to provide even greater stealth capabilities.
Can Pass Without Trace be used on non-party members?
No, the spell only affects the caster and any willing creatures within a 30-foot radius. It cannot be used to make other creatures or objects stealthier.
How does Pass Without Trace End?
Pass Without Trace ends under the following circumstances:
- The spell’s duration expires: Pass Without Trace lasts for up to 1 hour and ends when that time elapses.
- The caster loses concentration: Like all concentration spells, Pass Without Trace ends if the caster loses concentration, whether through damage or other factors.
- The caster or affected creature attacks or casts a spell: The spell ends immediately if the caster or any affected creature takes an action that involves attacking or casting a spell.
- Dismissal of the spell: As with all spells, the caster can choose to end the spell early by using an action to dismiss it.
Conclusion
It is worth noting that Pass Without Trace does not end if the affected creatures are detected or noticed by enemies. Rather, the spell provides a bonus to Stealth checks to help avoid detection, but it does not guarantee total invisibility or invincibility. Therefore, it is important for players to continue making Stealth checks while under the effects of the spell to ensure their continued success in avoiding detection.
