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}}

=== Spell levels ===

All spells have a level –  a measure of how powerful a spell is, as well as how difficult it is to cast it. 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.

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.}}

; Intelligence : [[Fighter]], [[Rogue]], [[Wizard]].

; Wisdom : [[Cleric]], [[Druid]], [[Monk]], [[Ranger]].

; Charisma : [[Barbarian]], [[Bard]], [[Paladin]], [[Sorcerer]], [[Warlock]].

}}

Spells learned from taking levels in a class will use that class' spellcasting ability modifier. Spells learned from scrolls count as Wizard spells (since learning from scrolls is a Wizard feature) and thus use Intelligence.{{verify}} 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).}}

== 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|h=20px}} before they are cast, and most spells cannot be cast by {{Cond|Silenced|w=20px}} 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 [[File:Action Icon.png|frameless|20px]] action, [[File:Bonus Action Icon.png|frameless|20px]] bonus action, or a [[File:Reaction Icon.png|frameless|20px]] 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>

; Examples of spells that require  saves:

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

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

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

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

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:

<div style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;">{{InfoBlob|{{D20}} + proficiency bonus + spellcasting ability modifier}}</div>

; Examples of spells that require spell attacks:

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

* {{SAI|Fire Bolt|h=20px}}

* {{SAI|Eldritch Blast|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.]]

; 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|w=20px}} or {{Cond|Sleeping|w=20px}} – also end concentration, without allowing a save.

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

== Spellcasters ==

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.

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

* [[Monk]] including subclasses

* [[Barbarian]] including subclasses

=== Known spells ===

* [[Arcane Trickster]]

* [[Bard]]

All of 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. While wizards do not have access to this feature, they can instead learn new spells from scrolls, without needing to give up an already known spell.

* [[Cleric]]

* [[Druid]]

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

* [[Cleric]]

* [[Druid]]

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.

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.

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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.