Spells: Difference between revisions

{{SpellsTab}}

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 how powerful a spell is, as well as how difficult it is to cast it, and generally require the caster to expend a [[Spells#Spell slots|spell slot]] of sufficient level. Spells cast from scrolls {{em|do not}} rely on spell slots to be cast.

Spells learned from taking levels in a class will use that class' spellcasting ability modifier. Spells from other sources use the spellcasting ability of the class the creature most recently took a {{em|first}} level in.{{note|A level 5 wizard that takes 1 level in sorcerer will use Charisma as their spellcasting ability for non-wizard spells, even if they later take more levels in wizard. However, if they take a level in cleric, they will use Wisdom as their spellcasting ability modifier instead, as this is their most recently acquired class.}}{{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's effects may apply only once when cast, or the spell may have a duration (measured in ''turns'').

Most spells can be interrupted by {{SAI|Counterspell}} before they are cast, and spells with a ''verbal'' component cannot be cast by {{Cond|Silenced}} creatures.

{{hatnote|This section is about the schools used to categorise spells. For the class feature, see [[Wizard]].}}

Every spell belongs to one of eight ''schools of magic'': [[Abjuration]], [[conjuration]], [[divination]], [[enchantment (school)|enchantment]], [[evocation]], [[illusion]], [[necromancy]] or [[transmutation]].

Spells are typically cast by taking an {{action}}, but some are cast by taking a {{action|bonus}} or a {{action|reaction}}.

Harmful spells which target an area or a specific point in space ({{SAI|Fireball}}) – or affect a character directly ({{SAI|Hold Person}}) – often allow targeted creatures to attempt to [[Saving throw|save]] against the spell, ignoring or reducing the spell's effect.

The [[Difficulty Class]] (DC) of these saves – called ''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>

Some harmful spells require the caster to make an [[Attack roll|attack roll]] against the target's [[Armour Class|AC]] in order to determine if it's a hit or a miss.

 

Spells in the form of rays (like {{SAI|Ray of Enfeeblement}}) or projectiles (like {{SAI|Fire Bolt}} or {{SAI|Eldritch Blast}}) often require attacks rolls.

[[File:Concentration_Example.webp|thumb|300px|right|Concentration icon in the hotbar. Clicking "X" will end concentration.]]

Most spells with a duration require {{Concentration}} to maintain them for the duration. 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.

; Manually : Concentration can be manually interrupted at any time via the ''x'' on the concentrated spell's icon, next to the caster's main portrait.

; Taking damage : When a creature concentrating on a spell takes damage, they make a Constitution save against a DC equal to half the damage taken, or 10, whichever is higher.{{note|Constitution saves are sometimes erroneously referred to as a ''Constitution checks''.}} If the save fails, concentration ends.

; Conditions : Some conditions – such as {{Cond|Downed}} or {{Cond|Sleeping}} – also interrupt concentration, without allowing a save.

; Long rests : Taking a long rest ends concentration.

Spellcasters can either be ''full casters'' – meaning they can learn spells up to 6th level spells, ''half casters'' – meaning they can learn spells up to 3rd level spells, or ''one-third casters'' – meaning they can learn spells up to 2nd level spells.

* {{class|Bard}}

* {{class|Cleric}}

* {{class|Druid}}

* {{class|Sorcerer}}

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

* {{class|Wizard}}

* {{Class|Paladin}}

* {{class|Ranger}}

* {{class|Arcane Trickster}}

* {{class|Eldritch Knight}}

* {{Class|Arcane Trickster}}

* {{Class|Bard}}

* {{Class|Eldritch Knight}}

* {{Class|Ranger}}

* {{Class|Sorcerer}}

* {{Class|Wizard}}

* {{Class|Warlock}}

* {{Class|Cleric}}

* {{Class|Druid}}

* {{Class|Paladin}}

Some casters – known as ''prepared spellcasters'' to set them apart from ''spontaneous spellcasters'' – need to prepare a selection of their spells in order to cast them. Preparing spells is only possible outside of combat.

* {{Class|Cleric}}

* {{Class|Druid}}

* {{Class|Paladin}}

* {{Class|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]] or – for warlocks – a [[short rest]].

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, and are then cast as more powerful versions of themselves.

==== Spellcasting spell slots ====

! colspan="6" |Spell Slots per Spell Level

Warlocks do not cast spells through the Spellcasting feature, but through their unique Pact Magic feature. Spells cast via Pact Magic are always cast using the highest available Pact Magic spell slots, which are replenished on a short rest.

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

==== Replenishing spell slots ====

* Some characters, including {{class|Wizard}}s and some {{class|Druid}} subclasses, have features which let them regain a small number of spell slots in between long rests.

* [[Wild Magic]] barbarians have access to the [[Bolstering Magic]] feature, allowing them or an ally to recover a few low level spell slots.

* Items such as the {{RarityItem|Pearl of Power Amulet}} or {{RarityItem|Spellcrux Amulet}} allow for the recovery of spell slots once per long rest.

* The [[Arcane Cultivation]] line of [[Elixirs]] grants the user a temporary additional spell slot of a specific level from 1st to 4th, depending on the elixir. While this doesn't technically replenish an existing slot, the practical effect is the same.

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|w=40}}

* {{SAI|Disguise Self|w=40}}

* {{SAI|Enhance Leap|w=40}}

* {{SAI|Feather Fall|w=40}}

* {{SAI|Find Familiar|w=40}}

* {{SAI|Longstrider|w=40}}

* {{SAI|Silence|w=40}}

* {{SAI|Speak with Animals|w=40}}

* {{SAI|Speak with Dead|w=40}}

==== 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.

== Spell also ==

==References==

{{reflist|url}}

 

[[Category:Character Creation]]

[[Category:Resources]]