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{{PageSeo | {{PageSeo | ||
| title = Spells | | title = Spells | ||
| description = Spells are magical | | description = Spells are specific magical effects created by manipulating the Weave, the magical energies of the multiverse. | ||
| image = Spells_SEO.webp | | image = Spells_SEO.webp | ||
}}{{SpellsTab}} | }}{{SpellsTab}} | ||
'''Spells''' are magical energies | '''Spells''' are specific effects 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 other magic items. Spells can accomplish many things, from [[Condition|affecting]] living beings or the environment to dealing damage to enemies or healing allies and even bringing them back from the dead. | ||
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<big><center>[[All spells|List of all spells]]</center></big> | |||
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All spellcasters are [[Proficiency#Proficiency Bonus Chart|proficient]] with Spell Attacks. When they make an '''Attack Roll''' with a '''Spell''', they roll against the target's [[Armour Class]] (or AC): | == Spellcasters == | ||
While anyone may use a scroll or magic item to cast a spell, those with the ability to cast spells on their own are known as '''spellcasters'''. Such characters have the [[Spellcasting]] feature from their [[class]] (or, in the case of {{class|Warlock}}s, the [[Warlock#Pact Magic|Pact Magic]] feature instead). Many classes specialise in spellcasting: {{class|Wizard}}s, {{class|Sorcerer}}s, {{class|Cleric}}, {{class|Druid}}s and {{class|Bard}}s. These classes are "full casters", meaning they can cast the maximum number of spells of the highest allowable level as they progress in experience. Other classes and [[subclasses]] mix spellcasting with other talents, and learn to cast fewer and less powerful spells. They are generally referred to as "half-casters" ({{class|Ranger}}s and {{class|Paladin}}s) or "one-third-casters" ({{class|Arcane Trickster Rogue}}s and {{class|Eldritch Knight Fighter}}s), depending on the fraction of maximum spellcasting power they gain. Such characters may not be able to cast spells at all until they reach level 2 or 3. | |||
== Casting spells == | |||
To cast a spell, a character must expend any required resources. This is usually an {{action}}, {{bonus action}} or {{reaction}}, as well as a '''spell slot''' of the spell's '''level''' or higher (see below). In addition, most spells cannot be cast by a character who is {{cond|silenced}}, as they cannot speak the magic words required. | |||
When casting a spell that affects another creature, the caster may have to make a '''Spell [[Attack Roll]]''' to aim a ray of energy (like {{SAI|Ray of Enfeeblement}}) or magical projectile ({{SAI|Fire bolt}}). | |||
All spellcasters are [[Proficiency#Proficiency Bonus Chart|proficient]] with Spell Attacks. When they make an '''[[Attack Roll]]''' with a '''Spell''', they roll against the target's [[Armour Class]] (or AC): | |||
<div style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;">{{InfoBlob|{{D20}} + [[Proficiency Bonus]] + [[#Spellcasting ability and proficiency|Spellcasting Ability Modifier]]}}</div> | <div style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;">{{InfoBlob|{{D20}} + [[Proficiency Bonus]] + [[#Spellcasting ability and proficiency|Spellcasting Ability Modifier]]}}</div> | ||
Spells which do not | Spells that conjure harmful creatures or objects (like {{SAI|Flaming Sphere}} or {{SAI|Spiritual Weapon}}) usually require the summoned entity to make attacks on their own turn, using the caster's spell attack above. | ||
Spells which create a damaging effect at a point in space (like {{SAI|Fireball}}) or affect a character directly (like {{SAI|Hold Person}}) do not require an '''Attack Roll''', but often allow a target to roll a [[Saving Throw]] to resist or reduce the spell's effect. This saving throw is made against the caster's spellcasting [[Difficulty Class]] (or DC): | |||
<div style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;">{{InfoBlob|8 + [[Proficiency Bonus]] + [[#Spellcasting ability and proficiency|Spellcasting Ability Modifier]]}}</div> | <div style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;">{{InfoBlob|8 + [[Proficiency Bonus]] + [[#Spellcasting ability and proficiency|Spellcasting Ability Modifier]]}}</div> | ||
{{ | |||
Spells which do not directly harm other creatures generally don't require an attack roll or saving throw. There are also some harmful spells which are exceptions to the above: {{SAI|Magic Missile}} automatically hits its targets, while {{SAI|Sleep}} and {{SAI|Colour Spray}} automatically affect creatures with up to a specific number of [[hit points]]. | |||
== Spell slots == | == Spell slots == | ||
'''Spell slots''' are the [[resource]] used to cast | '''Spell slots''' are the primary [[resource]] used to cast spells. They can be thought of as packets of mental effort expended by a spellcaster to channel magical energy into a spell. Depleted spell slots are generally regained by taking a [[Long Rest]], though there are other means to restore them: | ||
* | * 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. | ||
* | * {{class|Wild Magic Barbarian}}s have access to the [[Bolstering Magic]] feature, allowing them or an ally to recover a few low level spell slots when they Rage. | ||
* Items such as the {{RarityItem|Pearl of Power Amulet}} or {{RarityItem|Spellcrux Amulet}} allow for the recovery of spell slots once per long rest. | * 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 | * 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. | ||
* | * The {{class|Warlock}}'s [[Warlock#Pact Magic|Pact Magic]] class feature grants them only a small number of spell slots, but to compensate they regain them all by taking a [[short rest]]. | ||
=== Spell levels === | === Spell levels === | ||
A spell's level | A spell's '''level''' is a measure of how powerful it is, as well as how difficult it is to cast. Spell slots also have levels, and a character will have a specific number of spell slots of each level available to them: {{SpellSlot|1|4|w=24}} Level 1, {{SpellSlot|2|3|w=24}} Level 2, {{SpellSlot|3|2|w=24}} Level 3, and so on. A spell of a given level requires a spell slot of the same level or higher to be expended to cast it. For example, a 3rd level spell can be cast using a spell slot of level 3, 4, 5 or 6, but not of level 1 or 2. | ||
Cantrips {{SpellSlot|cantrip|w=24}} are "level 0" spells | Cantrips {{SpellSlot|cantrip|w=24}} are "level 0" spells: they do not consume any spell slots and can be cast "at will". They are effectively an infinite resource. | ||
Due to their unique mechanics, the spell slots of a [[Warlock]] are colored differently, like so: {{SpellSlot|1 Warlock|2|w=24}} | Due to their unique mechanics, the spell slots of a [[Warlock]] are colored differently, like so: {{SpellSlot|1 Warlock|2|w=24}} | ||
A spell's level | A spell's level has other effects: | ||
* Wizards need to spend more gold to learn a higher level spell (usually 50gp per level, though cheaper for the spells of a Wizard's chosen school). | |||
* [[Counterspell]] is harder to use against a spells of higher levels. | |||
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. | |||
=== Upcasting === | === Upcasting === | ||
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The total amount of spell slots a spellcaster would get is dependent upon their '''Effective Spellcaster Level''' (ESL). For full spellcasters ({{Class|Bard}}s, {{Class|Cleric}}s, {{Class|Druid}}s, {{Class|Sorcerer}}s, and {{Class|Wizard}}s) this is exactly their class level | The total amount of spell slots a spellcaster would get is dependent upon their '''Effective Spellcaster Level''' (ESL). For full spellcasters ({{Class|Bard}}s, {{Class|Cleric}}s, {{Class|Druid}}s, {{Class|Sorcerer}}s, and {{Class|Wizard}}s) this is exactly their class level: a level 5 wizard has an Effective Spellcaster Level of 5. "Half-spellcasters" ({{Class|Ranger}}s and {{Class|Paladin}}s), are not considered spellcasters until class level 2, at which point their '''ESL''' is their class level halved. "One-third-spellcasters" ({{Class|Arcane Trickster}}s and {{Class|Eldritch Knight}}s) are all subclasses that can only be taken at class level 3; their '''ESL''' is their class level divided by three. For the purpose of determining Spell Slot Distribution the '''ESL''' is '''rounded up''' when no multiclassing of multiple spellcaster classes is involved. | ||
When multiple spellcaster classes are chosen for a character, the character's '''ESL''' is instead the '''ESL''' of every individual spellcasting class that the character has, each rounded down, and then summed up. As an example, a level 1 cleric/level 3 paladin/level 3 ranger character would have an '''ESL''' of 3, because:{{InfoBlob|<nowiki>1 + round_down(1.5) + round_down(1.5) = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3</nowiki>}} | When multiple spellcaster classes are chosen for a character, the character's '''ESL''' is instead the '''ESL''' of every individual spellcasting class that the character has, each rounded down, and then summed up. As an example, a level 1 cleric/level 3 paladin/level 3 ranger character would have an '''ESL''' of 3, because:{{InfoBlob|<nowiki>1 + round_down(1.5) + round_down(1.5) = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3</nowiki>}} | ||