Spells: Difference between revisions

| description = Spells are specific magical effects created by manipulating the Weave, the magical energies of the multiverse.

| image = Spells_SEO.webp

'''Spells''' are magical effects that are created by creatures via '''spellcasting'''.{{note|The term ''spellcasting'' refers {{em|both}} to the act of casting spells, as well as the Spellcasting class feature. The latter is always capitalised, whereas the former is generally not.}} Spells are frequently cast to deal [[Damage mechanics|damage]] and provide [[healing]], or to inflict [[condition|conditions]] on the targets.

All [[Class|classes]] are capable of casting spells with the help of [[Scrolls|scrolls]] and [[Equipment|magic items]], and classes with the Spellcasting or Pact Magic features – called ''spellcasters'' – have spell slots they can expend to cast spells they know, without the need for scrolls.

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.

=== Spell levels ===

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.

Level 0 spells are called ''cantrips'', and can always be cast at will, without expending a spell slot.

=== Spellcasting ability ===

Every class – including those without the Spellcasting feature – has a designated [[Ability scores|ability]] known as their ''spellcasting ability'', which represents their capacity to cast spells.{{note|Some spells designate a specific spellcasting ability regardless of the class casting them. This is most commonly a result of spells obtained via racial features.}}

 

 

== Spell properties ==

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.}}

 

 

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:

 

 

 

Certain [[List of Equipment that Affect Spell DC|equipment]] worn by the caster can also affect their Spell DCs.

 

=== Spell attack rolls ===

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.

 

The caster adds their spellcasting ability modifier, as well as their proficiency bonus, to the results of the attack roll:

 

 

; Examples of spells that require spell attacks:

* {{SAI|Ray of Enfeeblement|h=20px}}

 

{{hatnote|Main article: [[Concentration]]}}

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.

 

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

Although concentration normally lasts for a spell's full duration, or until another concentration spell is cast, there are multiple ways for concentration to break:

; Manually : Concentration can be ended by the player at any time via the “X” on the current concentration spell's icon, displayed next to the caster's main portrait.

; Taking damage : Any time 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 end concentration, without allowing a save.

; Long rests : Taking a [[Resting|long rest]] ends concentration.

; Dismissing companion : Sending a companion to camp or otherwise removing them from the active party ends their concentration.

 

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.

 

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

 

* [[Ranger]]

 

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

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

 

 

Known spells are spells generally learned from taking levels in a class with the Spellcasting or Pact Magic features. Each caster class has access to its own list of spells, though there is significant overlap between classes.

 

* [[Arcane Trickster]]

* [[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.

 

The following classes automatically learn all their available spells when a level is taken in them:

* [[Paladin]]

 

[[File:Prepared Spells Icon.webp|24px]]

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.

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

Additionally, spells granted by [[Race|racial features]] or by certain class features (such as by [[Cleric|cleric Domains]]) are considered ''inherent'' and are always prepared.

Some spells with ongoing effects that do not require concentration, like {{SAI|Speak with Animals}} or {{SAI|Aid}}, must remain in the caster's prepared spells list after being cast, or their effects will end.

=== Spell slots ===

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.

==== Spellcasting ====

|+Spell Slots per Spell Level

When multiple classes with the Spellcasting feature are chosen for a character, the creature's total ESL is instead the summed ESL of every individual spellcasting class they have taken a level in, each rounded down.

==== Pact Magic ====

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}}

Spell slots gained from Pact Magic are calculated differently than those gained from Spellcasting. As such, levels taken in warlock are ignored when calculating ESL.

==== 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.

=== Ritual spells ===

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 ==

== Footnotes ==

== External links ==

{{FRWiki|Spell|long}}

[[Category:Spellcasting]]