Remove Curse
- Level: 3
- School: Abjuration
- Class: Cleric, Paladin, Warlock, Wizard
- Casting Time: Action
- Range: Touch
- Components: V, S
- Duration: Instantaneous
At your touch, all curses affecting one creature or object end. If the object is a cursed magic item, its curse remains, but the spell breaks its owner's Attunement to the object so it can be removed or discarded.
Tactical Usage
Essential Curse Removal. Remove Curse provides the primary method for eliminating curse effects that can severely handicap characters or party effectiveness.
Cursed Item Liberation. The spell breaks attunement to cursed magic items, enabling removal of problematic equipment that characters cannot normally unequip.
Instant Resolution. Unlike many abjuration effects, Remove Curse provides immediate and permanent curse elimination without ongoing duration or concentration requirements.
Spell Combinations
Investigation Enhancement. Pairing with Identify or other detection magic helps confirm curse presence before attempting removal.
Protection Preparation. Combining with defensive spells provides security against curse reapplication or hostile reactions to curse removal.
Follow-Up Treatment. Using alongside healing or restoration magic addresses any damage or conditions caused by curse effects.
Material Component Details
Component-Free Accessibility. Remove Curse requires no material components, making it consistently available without resource constraints or preparation concerns.
Touch Range Requirement. The spell requires physical contact with cursed targets, necessitating proximity that might be challenging with hostile cursed creatures.
Instant Effect Value. The spell resolves immediately without casting time extensions or vulnerability periods during curse removal.
Creator Notes
Curse Encounter Solution. Remove Curse provides essential mechanics for resolving curse-based obstacles, magical hazards, and cursed item complications.
Problem Resolution Tool. The spell enables recovery from curse effects that might otherwise permanently compromise character capabilities or party resources.
Narrative Liberation. Curse removal creates opportunities for dramatic resolution and character development through magical freedom.
Environmental Interactions
Curse Source Independence. The spell removes curse effects regardless of their origin, power source, or environmental conditions.
Item Interaction Mechanics. Cursed magic items retain their curse properties but lose attunement, enabling safe disposal or storage.
Area Effect Limitation. The spell affects only one target at a time, requiring multiple castings for group curse removal.
Common Rulings & Clarifications
All Curses Removal. The spell eliminates all curse effects affecting a single target simultaneously rather than removing curses individually.
Cursed Item Mechanics. Cursed magic items become unattuneable but retain their curse properties, allowing removal without permanent curse destruction.
Willing Target Requirement. The spell requires touch, which typically necessitates willing targets or successful grappling for hostile cursed creatures.
Instant Effect Timing. Curse removal occurs immediately upon casting completion, providing instant relief from curse penalties and restrictions.
Alternative Applications
Social Problem Resolution. Removing curses that affect reputation, relationships, or social standing within communities or organizations.
Investigation Support. Eliminating curse effects that prevent information gathering, magical investigation, or access to cursed locations.
Preventive Medicine. Removing minor or developing curses before they escalate into major problems or permanent complications.
Related Spells
Restoration Magic. Greater Restoration removes conditions and effects, while Remove Curse specifically targets curse effects with different capabilities.
Protection Magic. Protection from Evil and Good prevents certain effects, while Remove Curse eliminates existing magical problems.
Detection Magic. Identify and Detect Magic help locate curse effects, while Remove Curse provides the solution to identified problems.
Scaling Analysis
Consistent Utility Value. Remove Curse maintains relevance throughout character progression as curse effects continue threatening characters regardless of level.
Resource Efficiency. The spell provides excellent value for a 3rd-level slot when facing curse-based obstacles or cursed item complications.
Campaign Integration. Utility scales with curse prevalence and cursed item frequency in specific campaign settings and adventure types.
Narrative Flavor
Liberation Process. The spell should emphasize freedom and relief as oppressive magical forces are lifted and characters regain their full capabilities.
Divine or Arcane Cleansing. Different casting traditions might manifest curse removal as divine blessing, arcane dispelling, or natural purification.
Visible Release. Curse removal can be described with dramatic visual effects as dark magic dissipates and targets regain normal appearance or behavior.