Sympathy / Antipathy-Sympathy

In modern D&D, Sympathy is one mode of the combined Antipathy/Sympathy spell. PF1e and D&D 3.5e keep Sympathy as a separate attraction spell with older creature-or-alignment targeting.

At a Glance

2024	Antipathy/Sympathy — Bard 8, Druid 8, Wizard 8
2014	Antipathy/Sympathy — Druid 8, Wizard 8
PF1e	Sympathy — Druid 9, Sorcerer/Wizard 8
D&D 3.5e	Sympathy — Druid 9, Sorcerer/Wizard 8
Modern role	Draw a specified kind of creature toward a chosen creature or object

Choose Your Edition

5.5e / 2024 5e / 2014 Pathfinder 1e D&D 3.5e

Sympathy Mode — 5.5e / 2024

Level	8th-level Enchantment
Casting Time	1 hour
Range	60 feet
Components	V, S, M (a mix of vinegar and honey)
Duration	10 days
Classes	Bard, Druid, Wizard

Choose one creature or object that is Huge or smaller, then specify a kind of creature. A creature of that kind makes a Wisdom save when it comes within 120 feet of the target.

On a failed save in Sympathy mode, the creature has the Charmed condition and must use its movement to get as close to the target as possible by the safest route. If it is within 5 feet, it cannot willingly move away.

If the target damages the Charmed creature, that creature can make a Wisdom save to end the effect. A creature that ends its turn more than 120 feet away also saves; on a success it is no longer affected and is immune to that target’s effect for 1 minute.

Sympathy Mode — 5e / 2014

Level	8th-level Enchantment
Casting Time	1 hour
Range	60 feet
Components	V, S, M (a drop of honey)
Duration	10 days
Classes	Druid, Wizard

Target a Huge or smaller creature or object, or an area no larger than a 200-foot cube, then specify a kind of intelligent creature.

A matching creature that sees the target or comes within 60 feet makes a Wisdom save or must use its movement to approach and, once within reach, cannot willingly move away.

If the target harms the creature, it can save to end the effect. Creatures also make later saves when they end turns outside the 60-foot/line-of-sight trigger and once every 24 hours while affected.

Sympathy — Pathfinder 1e

School	Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]
Level	Druid 9, Sorcerer/Wizard 8
Casting Time	1 hour
Range	Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target	One location up to a 10-ft. cube/level, or one object
Duration	2 hours/level (D)
Saving Throw	Will negates; see text
Spell Resistance	Yes

Specify a particular kind of intelligent creature or a particular alignment. Matching creatures feel an overpowering desire to remain near, touch or possess the affected location or object.

A successful save frees a creature temporarily, but it must save again 1d6×10 minutes later; failure then drives it back toward the target.

Material component: crushed pearls worth 1,500 gp and a drop of honey. Sympathy counters and dispels Antipathy.

Sympathy — D&D 3.5e

School	Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]
Level	Druid 9, Sorcerer/Wizard 8
Casting Time	1 hour
Range	Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target	One location up to a 10-ft. cube/level, or one object
Duration	2 hours/level (D)
Saving Throw	Will negates; see text
Spell Resistance	Yes

The 3.5e spell uses the same legacy attraction rule: name a specific creature kind or alignment and compel matching creatures to remain near or return to the affected place or object.

Material component: crushed pearls worth 1,500 gp and a drop of honey. Sympathy counters and dispels Antipathy.

What Changed?

2024: Bard joins the class list, trigger range becomes 120 feet, and a failed save explicitly gives the Charmed condition.
2014: Druid/Wizard only, 60-foot or line-of-sight trigger, area targeting up to a 200-foot cube and repeated daily saves.
PF1e / 3.5e: separate Sympathy spell with alignment targeting, level-scaled area and a 1,500 gp pearl component.

Related Magic

Antipathy — the repulsion counterpart and the other modern mode of the spell.
Suggestion — directs one creature toward a course of action rather than creating a persistent attraction.
Bard Spells — 2024 Bard access.