Spells: Difference between revisions

''^†These classes, while normally non-spellcasters, have the option of becoming spellcasters by specializing into specific subclasseses Arcane Trickster and Eldritch Knight.''

Spells learned from taking levels in a class will use that class' spellcasting ability modifier.

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 ===

Classes expend spell slots to cast their known spells. A creature's available spell slots are determined by how many caster levels they've taken.

* 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.

* 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]].

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.

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.

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

{{Icon|Upcast Icon.png|24px}}'''Upcasting''' is when a spellcaster uses a higher level spell slot to cast a lower level spell. Many spells become more powerful when cast with a spell slot higher than the spell's level. For damaging spells this usually takes the form of additional damage dice, but spells can also gain a larger area of effect, a longer duration, additional targets or other benefits.

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 12px;"

! rowspan="2" |'''ESL'''

{{Class|Warlock}}s are unique in this regard. Their spell slots are all of uniform level, matching the highest spell slot available of a normal full spellcaster class until spell level 5, which is the highest level spell slot warlocks can have. They also simply gain a spell slot at class level 1,2, and 11. When a character has levels in both Warlock and a class with traditional spellcasting, their Warlock spell slots are counted separately from any other spell slots, and Warlock levels are ignored when calculating ESL. Characters with both kinds of spell slots can ''mostly'' use them to cast spells from either class interchangeably, though some Warlock [[Eldritch Invocation|Eldritch Invocations]] specifically require the use of a Warlock spell slot.

* {{Class|Arcane Trickster}}

* {{Class|Bard}}

* {{Class|Ranger}}

* {{Class|Sorcerer}}

* {{Class|Warlock}}

==Spell list==