76
votes
Does Wish just give another spell slot?
There are some other benefits that aren't as obvious.
First of all, you gain access to many spells that are either not known/prepared or appear on other class spell lists.
Possibly more potent, ...
- 76.1k
71
votes
Accepted
Is a 1st-level spell cast using a 4th-level slot a 1st-level spell, or a 4th-level spell?
The spell is a 4th level spell. (PHB, p.201)
Casting a Spell at a Higher Level
When a spellcaster casts a spell using a slot that is of a
higher level than the spell, the spell assumes the higher
...
- 145k
62
votes
What is a spell slot in-lore, and how does it justify the limits on casting spells?
Spell slots represent the caster's mental limits
D&D 5th edition's Player's Handbook, p. 201, under Spell Slots, describes them thusly:
Regardless of how many spells a caster knows or prepares,...
- 84.5k
55
votes
What happens when I can prepare more spells than I have slots to cast them with?
There is a big difference between 'Spells Prepared for the Day' and 'Spell Slots.'
The spells you prepare is the library of options you have to pick
from when you go to cast a spell.
A Spell Slot is ...
- 66.3k
54
votes
Does Wish just give another spell slot?
The basic use of Wish is flexibility: It can duplicate any spell of 8th level or lower.
You don't need to have it prepared and it doesn't even need to be in your class's spell list!
- 28.6k
53
votes
I don't get the spell slot system for D&D 5e's Warlocks
Spell slots are the fuel you spend to cast spells.
For now, think of cantrips as being totally separate from spells.
All spellcasters, including warlocks, have a list of spells they can cast, ...
- 27.5k
50
votes
Accepted
What is a spell slot in-lore, and how does it justify the limits on casting spells?
As you noted, according to the PHB:
Regardless of how many spells a caster knows or prepares, he or she can cast only a limited number of spells before resting. Manipulating the fabric of magic and ...
- 37.1k
46
votes
Accepted
Can a Wild Magic Barbarian restore a 7th(+) Level Warlock's spell slots?
While not a RAW answer, I would consider how the pearl of power works and has been errata'd over time in this scenario.
The original text of the item read:
You can use an action to speak this pearl's ...
- 19.4k
44
votes
Accepted
Are warlocks able to abuse short rests to cast long-duration spells without consuming spell slots?
You're correct.
Your analysis is correct--a warlock can cast some long-duration spells by effectively spending hours instead of spell slots.
This is not unbalanced (for a single-classed warlock).
...
- 63.9k
44
votes
What happens if you cast Find Familar as a 9th-level spell?
The spell effect would be unchanged.
In DnD 5e spells only do what they say that they do or to put it another way - 'there are no secret rules'.
Any spell can be cast using a higher level spell slot ...
- 25.2k
44
votes
Accepted
Do out-of-combat spells use spell slots?
Yes, they do.
As described in the basic rules for spellcasting:
When a character casts a spell, he or she expends a slot of that spell's level or higher, effectively "filling" a slot with ...
- 9,442
37
votes
Is a 1st-level spell cast using a 4th-level slot a 1st-level spell, or a 4th-level spell?
4th.
PHB Page 201 says
When a spellcaster casts a spell using a slot that is of a higher level than the spell, the spell assumes the higher level for that casting.
- 16.1k
37
votes
If you have the ability to cast a spell without a spell slot, can you cast that spell using a spell slot?
No, you can't cast it using a spell slot.
Spells you can cast because of your race aren't spells you know, and thus can't be spells you prepare. Per the PHB (p. 201, "Known and Prepared Spells"):
...
- 27.5k
37
votes
Can I cast cantrips using spell slots to get a more potent effect?
No, you cannot. Slots can only be used on Level 1+ spells.
like most spells can a known cantrip be cast at a higher spell slot lvl. Aka sacred flame lvl 1 for 2d8 radiant dmg
No, since cantrips don'...
- 2,296
37
votes
Accepted
Are casters aware of spell slots?
Yes, Casters know about spell slots.
TL;DR: Casters have all the information necessary in-game to figure out that spell slots are a real thing, something which can they can investigate and count, and ...
- 37.1k
37
votes
Accepted
How can I get better at identifying the "right time" to use my spell slots?
This is a matter of perspective.
This is mostly my play experience, I love playing casters and have played each of these styles. In the end, pick a style that feels good and stick with it. Knowing ...
- 986
36
votes
Do warlocks regain all their spell slots on a short rest?
Yes, warlock spell slots return on a short rest
In fact, warlock spell slots return on a short or long rest, not just short rests, as detailed on PHB page 107 under the Spell Slots section of the ...
- 18.7k
35
votes
Accepted
How does the November 2018 PH errata change the usage of multiclass spell slots to cast spells?
It doesn't
Multiclassing has its own set of rules that define what spell slots you have, and this overrides the spell slots mentioned in the wizard class section.
The errata you mention was added (I ...
- 28.6k
35
votes
Accepted
Must a warlock replace spells with new spells of exactly their Pact Magic spell slot level?
The Warlock's spell slot level indicates the maximum spell level they may select.
I agree the wording is a little confusing but consider the general rule for spell slots:
When a character casts a ...
- 29.7k
35
votes
Accepted
Does using Wish to cast a 7th-level spell use a 7th-level spell slot as well as the 9th-level one for Wish?
No. Wish uses a 9th level slot for any casting, and one of its canonical uses is to duplicate any spell (of 8th level or lower). Consider the case of a 19th level Wizard who, for one reason or ...
- 16.2k
35
votes
Accepted
Do monsters with a Spellcasting trait get spell slots back after a long rest?
Spell slots recover on a long rest
The rules have a parenthetical supporting this
The spellcasting rule for monsters states the following (Monster Manual, p. 10; emphasis mine):
[...] A monster with ...
- 76.8k
34
votes
Does re-casting Witch Bolt use up another spell slot?
The Action provided by Witch Bolt is not "Recasting" the spell
The first cast allows me to recast it until the target exits the spell range, moves into full cover, or I cast something else.
...
- 53.1k
34
votes
Accepted
Does trying to charm an uncharmable creature cost a spell slot?
Yes, it does
There are no caveats in the rules for casting a spell that ends up not affecting a creature. The rules on spell slots just state that when a character casts a spell, he or she expends a ...
- 28.6k
33
votes
How can a PC cast Elemental Weapon using a spell slot higher than 5th level?
There are several class options with access.
Although Paladins can cast it at 5th level maximum, the fact that they can't cast it at 6th level is irrelevant for this answer, since the 5th and 6th ...
- 30.4k
32
votes
Are warlocks able to abuse short rests to cast long-duration spells without consuming spell slots?
No, there are no rules I'm aware of that dictate spells end during a rest. Keep in mind, though, that that's not "abusing" short rests; it's just how Warlocks work. Short rests aren't free - they ...
- 16.3k
32
votes
Accepted
How exactly does the Dispel Magic spell work against higher-level spells?
Only one.
The wording seems deceptive, but it says "For each spell", not each spell level. Your math is correct concerning DC of the checks, but dispel only requires one check, based on spell level.
- 1,722
31
votes
Accepted
Can a multiclass sorcerer make spell slots for their other class using sorcery points?
Yes, it can make spell slots used by other classes.
No, it can not make a Warlock spell slot specifically.
Total spell slots from multiclassing are calculated using the method described on page 165 of ...
- 3,522
29
votes
Accepted
Can the paladin's Divine Smite feature be stored in a Ring of Spell Storing?
Divine Smite can't be stored in a Ring of Spell Storing.
Any creature can Cast a Spell of 1st through 5th level into the ring by touching the ring as the spell is cast. The spell has no effect, other ...
- 11.5k
29
votes
Accepted
What level is a spell if you cast it without expending a spell slot?
The Sage Advice Compendium goes into detail about what happens when you cast a spell without expending a spell slot:
A spell is cast at its lowest possible level, which is the level that appears near ...
- 19.7k
28
votes
Accepted
Can a multiclassed warlock expend a Spellcasting spell slot of a non-warlock class to use the Eldritch Smite invocation?
Eldritch Smite is Warlock slot only
Only warlock spell slots from the Pact Magic feature can be expended to use Eldritch Smite; spell slots from the Spellcasting feature do not work with it.
An ...
- 65.9k
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