Editing Spells

{{SpellsTab|nodesktop=yes}}{{Spells|image=Bg3_sorcerer_by_yamaorce.webp|size=300px}}

 

Spells are created from the Weave, the magical energies of the multiverse. They are conjured through experience, knowledge, or innate ability, or via the use of scrolls and magical items.

All spells have a level –  a measure of its power and difficulty to cast. To cast a spell, the caster must usually expend a [[Spells#Spell slots|spell slot]] of sufficient level. Spells cast from scrolls {{em|do not}} consume spell slots when cast, nor do most spells granted by magic items.

Spells learned from taking levels in a class will use that class' spellcasting ability modifier. Spells learned from scribing a scroll into your Spellbook count as Wizard spells (since learning from scrolls is a Wizard feature) and thus use Intelligence. Spells from other sources (including casting a scroll directly from inventory without being scribed into a Spellbook) use the spellcasting ability of the class the creature most recently took a {{em|first}} level in.{{note|A character who starts with 5 levels in [[Sorcerer]] will use Charisma for all of their sorcerer spells, as well as spells granted by equipment (e.g. the Firebolt cantrip granted by the [[Gold Wyrmling Staff]]) and spell scrolls. If this character at level 6 takes their first level in [[Wizard]] then their Wizard spells (including spell scrolls scribed into their Spellbook) will use Intelligence, their Sorcerer spells will continue to use Charisma, but spells granted from equipment and spell scrolls cast directly from inventory will now use Intelligence. If the character at level 7 takes their sixth level in Sorcerer then nothing changes, because Sorcerer is not a "new" class on this character. However if the character at level 8 now takes their first level in [[Druid]] then their Sorcerer spells continue to use Charisma, their Wizard spells (including scrolls scribed into their Spellbook) continue to use Intelligence, their Druid spells now use Wisdom, and spells granted by equipment and scrolls cast directly from inventory now use Wisdom since Druid is a "new" class on this character.}}{{note|Fighters and rogues will only provide their spellcasting ability if they are level 3 and have the appropriate subclass ([[Eldritch Knight]] and [[Arcane Trickster]] respectively).}}

 

Each spell belongs to a school which defines its general purpose, and all spells have a range at which they can be cast, and a specified target or [[Area|area of effect]]. A spell may have an instantaneous effect when cast (for example a magical attack), or a spell may have an effect which persists for a specified ''duration'' (measured in ''turns'').

Most spells can be interrupted by {{SAI|Counterspell}} before they are cast, and most spells cannot be cast by {{Cond|Silenced}} creatures.

{{confused with|Wizard|custom=the Wizard School class feature.}}

Every spell belongs to one of eight schools of magic: [[abjuration]], [[conjuration]], [[divination]], [[enchantment (school)|enchantment]], [[evocation]], [[illusion]], [[necromancy]], or [[transmutation]]. Some class features only benefit spells of a specific school.

All spells have a casting time that determines whether it requires the caster to take an {{r|action}}, a {{r|bonus}}, or a {{r|reaction}}. Most spells require the caster to take an action.

Harmful spells which {{em|don't}} require an attack roll, such spells that target an area or a specific point in space – or that affect a target directly – often allow targeted creatures to attempt a [[saving throw|save]] against the spell, potentially ignoring or reducing the spell's effect.

The [[Difficulty Class]] (DC) of these saves – called the ''spell save DC'' – is generally based on the caster's spellcasting DC:  

<div style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;"> {{InfoBlob|8 + proficiency bonus + spellcasting ability modifier}}</div>

* {{SAI|Grease|h=20px}}

* {{SAI|Fireball|h=20px}}

* {{SAI|Hold Person|h=20px}}

 

Some harmful spells – typically those cast in the form of rays or as projectiles – require the caster to make an [[Attacks|attack roll]] against the target's [[Armour Class|AC]] in order to determine if their spell attack is a hit or a miss.

Most spells with a duration require [[File:Concentration_Icons.png|20px]] Concentration to maintain them. A caster may only maintain the effect of one concentration spell at a time. If concentration on a spell is broken, the spell's effects are ended immediately.

Spellcasters can either be ''full casters'' – meaning they can learn up to 6th level spells, ''half casters'' – meaning they can learn up to 3rd level spells, or ''one-third casters'' – meaning they can learn up to 2nd level spells. Non spellcasters do not gain or add spell slots.

* [[Bard]]

* [[Cleric]]

* [[Druid]]

* [[Sorcerer]]

* [[Warlock]]{{note|Warlocks have the Pact Magic feature, which functions similarly to Spellcasting.}}

* [[Wizard]]

* [[Paladin]]

* [[Ranger]]

* [[Arcane Trickster]], [[rogue]] subclass

* [[Eldritch Knight]], [[fighter]] subclass

 

* [[Arcane Trickster]]

* [[Bard]]

* [[Eldritch Knight]]

* [[Ranger]]

* [[Sorcerer]]

* [[Wizard]]

* [[Warlock]]

These classes, with the exception of wizard, also have access to the Replacement Spell feature, which allows them to swap a known spell each time a new level is taken in them. Wizards can instead learn new spells from scrolls, without needing to give up an already known spell.

* [[Cleric]]

* [[Druid]]

* [[Paladin]]

Some casters – known as ''prepared spellcasters'' to set them apart from ''spontaneous spellcasters'' – must ''prepare'' a smaller selection of their known spells to cast them. Spells can be prepared at any time except during combat.

* [[Cleric]]

* [[Druid]]

* [[Paladin]]

* [[Wizard]]

The number of prepared spells each class can have at a time is equal to {{InfoBlob|spellcasting ability modifier + class level}} (minimum of 1).

All spellcasters have spell slots, which they expend to cast their known spells. Cantrips {{SpellSlot|cantrip|w=24}} do not expend spell slots and can be cast at will. Depleted spell slots are generally replenished by taking a [[Long Rest]] ([[Short Rest]] for Warlocks), though there are methods of [[List of sources of additional resources#Spell slots|creating additional slots, or replenishing expended ones]].

A spell of a given level requires a spell slot of the same level or higher to be expended to cast it. Many spells will be {{Icon|Upcast Icon.png|24px}} [[Upcasting|upcast]] when cast with a higher spell slot, making them more powerful. Even if it gains no other benefit, a spell always counts as a spell of the level of the slot used to cast it.

|+Spell Slots per Spell Level

Warlocks do not cast spells through the Spellcasting feature, but through their unique Pact Magic feature. Spell slots granted by Pact Magic are always of the highest level the Warlock can cast, and are replenished on a short rest. Spells cast using Pact Magic are always upcast at the highest possible level.

To distinguish them from Spellcasting spell slots, Pact Magic spell slots have a unique colour: {{SpellSlot|1 Warlock|2|w=24}}

==== Other uses of spell slots ====

Some Wizard subclass features (such as [[Arcane Ward]] and [[Grim Harvest]]) and the Paladin's [[Divine Smite]] ability have varying effects depending on level of the spell or spell slot used to power them.

When a {{Icon|Ritual Spell Icon.png|24px}} ritual spell is cast outside of combat/turn-based mode, it does not consume spell slots and is effectively free to cast. Ritual spells consume spell slots as normal in combat/turn-based mode.

* {{SAI|Detect Thoughts|h=20}}

* {{SAI|Disguise Self|h=20}}

* {{SAI|Enhance Leap|h=20}}

* {{SAI|Feather Fall|h=20}}

* {{SAI|Find Familiar|h=20}}

* {{SAI|Longstrider|h=20}}

* {{SAI|Silence|h=20}}

* {{SAI|Speak with Animals|h=20}}

* {{SAI|Speak with Dead|h=20}}

=== Scrolls ===

Spells can be cast from scrolls that are bought, found or looted. Spells cast from scrolls cannot be [[Upcasting|upcast]] (cast with a higher level spell slot for additional benefits e.g. to affect more targets) or benefit from [[metamagic]]. Scrolls cannot be created (scribed from a wizard's spellbook). Wizards can learn spells from scrolls (scribe the spell from a scroll into their spellbook). See [[Wizard|Wizard/Spell scribing]].

== See also ==

== External links ==

{{FRWiki|Spell|long}}

[[Category:Spellcasting]]