How Much Does Identify Cost in D&D?
The spell Identify in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is a powerful tool for adventurers, allowing them to quickly uncover the magical properties of mysterious items. However, this convenience comes at a price. The direct cost of casting Identify is primarily tied to its material component: a pearl worth at least 100 gp and an owl feather. While the owl feather is essentially a negligible cost in practical terms, the 100 gp pearl is a significant direct expense associated with the spell.
Therefore, the minimum cost of casting Identify is 100 gold pieces (gp), representing the value of the pearl consumed in the process.
Breaking Down the Costs
Direct Material Cost
The primary direct material cost for Identify is the 100 gp pearl. This is the component that is consumed by the spell, meaning it is not reusable. This makes Identify a spell that requires careful consideration, as it directly impacts a party’s finances.
Indirect Material Cost
While the owl feather is technically listed as a material component, it is not typically considered a significant cost. Owl feathers are readily available and generally do not have an associated monetary value. We could loosely consider the time or effort of obtaining an owl feather an indirect cost, but it is negligible.
Beyond the Material Component
Although not a direct cost in the typical sense, it’s worth considering the opportunity cost of casting Identify. The spell takes 1 minute to cast, which can be crucial time in a dangerous situation. This time investment can be a cost in itself, as it could mean the difference between success and failure in a perilous encounter.
Alternatives to Casting Identify
There are alternative ways to identify items, though they may not be as quick or reliable. Focusing on an item during a short rest will allow the character to learn the item’s properties if they are in physical contact with the object. This method does not consume any components but does require the time spent during a short rest. A wise player may choose this route when the item doesn’t need to be used immediately.
NPC Spellcasters and Identification
Hiring a non-player character (NPC) spellcaster to cast Identify can also be an option. The cost for this service is usually around 10 gp per item identified, regardless of the NPC’s level or spellcasting ability. This makes Identify a significant source of income for NPCs, particularly in well-traveled areas.
The True Cost of Identify
Ultimately, the true cost of Identify isn’t just about the gold spent. It’s about the strategic choice of using a valuable resource when time, money and inventory are all potentially in limited supply.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I Always Need a Pearl for Identify?
Yes, the material component of Identify always requires a pearl worth at least 100 gp for the spell to function. The owl feather is a component, but does not have a cost associated with it.
2. What Classes Can Cast Identify?
The Identify spell can be cast by two classes: Bards and Wizards.
3. Does Handling a Magic Item Always Reveal its Properties?
No, handling a magic item will give a character a sense of it being extraordinary, but not its specific properties. Identify is the fastest way to learn what a magic item does. Alternatively, you can attune to the item during a short rest.
4. Can Identify Reveal Cursed Items?
Generally, no. The Identify spell will not reveal if an item is cursed. You may need other means, like lore knowledge, or the item revealing itself in unfortunate circumstances.
5. Does Identify Reveal Command Words?
Yes, Identify will reveal the command words needed to activate a magic item. Alternatively, you can attune to the item to learn its properties, including any command words.
6. Can I Use Identify on a Person?
Yes, you can cast Identify on a person to find out all the spells currently affecting them, be they positive or negative. However, this requires you to maintain contact with the person for the full 1-minute casting time.
7. Is Identify a Ritual Spell?
Yes, Identify is tagged as a ritual spell. This means it can be cast as a ritual, which extends the casting time by 10 minutes, but does not use a spell slot.
8. Why Does Identify Cost So Much?
The material component cost is essentially a convenience fee. It allows adventurers to identify items mid-adventure without going back to a town or sage for assistance.
9. What is the Average Value of a Pearl?
The value of a pearl varies widely. However, a pearl suitable for the Identify spell would be valued at 100 gp or more. In the real world, pearl value ranges anywhere from $300 to $1500 depending on various factors. Wild pearls are more expensive.
10. What Color of Pearl is Rarest?
Naturally colored blue pearls are considered the rarest and most valuable in the real world. The color is becoming more popular in modern jewelry markets.
11. Is Detect Magic Similar to Identify?
Detect Magic only allows a caster to sense the presence of magic, within 30 feet. Identify will specifically tell you the properties of one object. They work differently and have different use cases. Detect Magic has a casting time of 1 action, where Identify has a casting time of 1 minute.
12. Can I Cast Identify During a Short Rest?
No, Identify cannot be cast faster during a short rest, though a short rest is one of the alternative methods for identifying items, without using the spell. Instead of the spell, the character can spend time with a magical item during a short rest, in which they’ll learn its properties.
13. How Much Does a +1 Weapon Cost?
A +1 weapon generally falls into the 400-600 gp range. +2 weapons and higher are usually not for sale and are considerably rarer.
14. Is the Material Component Consumed When Casting Identify?
Yes, the pearl worth at least 100 gp is consumed when casting Identify, meaning it cannot be reused. You’ll need a new pearl each time you cast the spell.
15. What Does Attuning To A Magical Item Do?
Attuning to a magic item during a short rest lets a player discover the item’s properties and how to use it, which includes command words. This is an alternative method to using the Identify spell, and requires you to be in physical contact with the item for the entirety of the short rest.