It says, (Burning Hands, for example) "Each creature in a 15-foot cone must make a Dexterity saving throw."
I thought the DC of that save was the caster's spell ability DC number - so the creatures would roll, add their Dex bonus, and try to beat the caster's total.
That's what it says in the Rules for Saving Throws:
The Difficulty Class for a saving throw is determined by the effect that causes it. For example, the DC for a saving throw allowed by a spell is determined by the caster’s spellcasting ability and proficiency bonus.
A spell scroll bears the words of a single spell, written in a mystical cipher. If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without providing any material components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible. Casting the spell by reading the scroll requires the spell’s normal casting time. Once the spell is cast, the words on the scroll fade, and it crumbles to dust. If the casting is interrupted, the scroll is not lost.
If the spell is on your class’s spell list but of a higher level than you can normally cast, you must make an ability check using your spellcasting ability to determine whether you cast it successfully. The DC equals 10 + the spell’s level. On a failed check, the spell disappears from the scroll with no other effect.
Once the spell is cast, the words on the scroll fade, and the scroll itself crumbles to dust.
The level of the spell on the scroll determines the spell’s saving throw DC and attack bonus, as well as the scroll’s rarity, as shown in the Spell Scroll table.
Spell Scroll
Spell Level
Rarity
Save DC
Attack Bonus
Cantrip
Common
13
+5
1st
Common
13
+5
2nd
Uncommon
13
+5
3rd
Uncommon
15
+7
4th
Rare
15
+7
5th
Rare
17
+9
6th
Very rare
17
+9
7th
Very rare
18
+10
8th
Very rare
18
+10
9th
Legendary
19
+11
A wizard spell on a spell scroll can be copied just as spells in spellbooks can be copied. When a spell is copied from a spell scroll, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 10 + the spell’s level. If the check succeeds, the spell is successfully copied. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.
So if it’s a 3rd-level Spell Scroll, regardless of the stats or level of the caster, the Spell Save DC will always be 15, and the Attack Modifier will always be +7. That information is already in the description for each level of spell scroll, but you need to set those numbers when you add the spell to the scroll. That’s why I told you to use the wording that I did in the above post, it includes the exact rules for spell scrolls along with the appropriate numbers for the scroll level. Reread above posts number #28, steps 9 and 11.
My understanding -- and my thinking may be corrupted by past editions of the game -- is that scrolls are assumed to be written by the least qualified caster able to write them if the author is unknown (most cases) and using the caster's appropriate level of skill if the caster *is known (mostly occurs if the PC themselves penned the scroll). In the latter case there would then be no problem with the way the scroll is cast when used. But, is that RAW in 5th ed? Or am I house ruling now?
That’s how it used to be, but 5e is more streamlined. This edition, RAW, every 3rd-level Spell scroll in existence now has a Save DC of 15, and an Attack Bonus of +7 regardless of who pens it.
As a DM, I can understand houseruling that if you write the scroll, it uses your numbers. But keep in mind, that requires more bookkeeping. You write 3 Scrolls of Fireball, use two of them, then you find 2 normal ones in a horde and now you have to track different stats. Then you go up several levels and then write 2 more, now you have 5 scrolls of Fireball, all written as 3rd-level scrolls, but there are two with one set of numbers, two with another set, and a fifth with another set of numbers.... So that’s why this edition it just uses that table.
That’s how it used to be, but 5e is more streamlined. This edition, RAW, every 3rd-level Spell scroll in existence now has a Save DC of 15, and an Attack Bonus of +7 regardless of who pens it.
As a DM, I can understand houseruling that if you write the scroll, it uses your numbers. But keep in mind, that requires more bookkeeping. You write 3 Scrolls of Fireball, use two of them, then you find 2 normal ones in a horde and now you have to track different stats. Then you go up several levels and then write 2 more, now you have 5 scrolls of Fireball, all written as 3rd-level scrolls, but there are two with one set of numbers, two with another set, and a fifth with another set of numbers.... So that’s why this edition it just uses that table.
All good points. Why I'm suggesting to Beyond to add a menu option with each spell "Scroll" in the manage spells part of the Character Sheet. This will let all the numbers be adjustable to the scroll. Or this would be a lot of Homebrewing depending on how available are spell scrolls in your campaign. Just my suggestion for a way to manage scrolls on DnD beyonds Character Screen.
I don't get why this is so difficult/fiddly. Scrolls are present as treasure in pretty-much every adventure I've played Surely this should be basic functionality?
Genuinely confused as to why this isn't simpler? Am I missing something?
I'd like to make a couple suggestions regarding this issue:
1) I like the custom item suggestion as that's very easy for on the fly work, but can we get an option/drop-down on that menu for marking items as rare/uncommon/etc so they show up at the top of the inventory list. I've had a light scroll for ever because I don't scroll down (pun intended) far enough since my character is a pack rat
2) This would be a lot more customization and I get that it may be a long term goal, but could we get the option of having a drop down to specify what the spell is on the scroll once it's added. This might be a little like you add a generic scroll of a certain level but once you "select" the spell it makes a new item with the corresponding spell associated with it. That way the entity exists such that everyone is making homebrew scrolls all the time AND it doesn't clutter the items list when we search for stuff. Probably a lot of engineering cycles but just offering a way to do that might not be horrible.
For “Magic Item” select the spell scroll level with the correct level for the spell you wish the scroll to contain.
Scroll down the the “Spells” section and click “Add Spell”
Add the spell you want on the scroll by name in the name field.
Set the Modifier and DC to match the level of the scroll.
Set minimum and maximum charges to 1. SAVE!!
Rearrange the text from this: (I used a 3rd-level spell scroll as an example, each level of scroll has its own corresponding DCs already there)
A spell scroll bears the words of a single spell, written in a mystical cipher. If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without providing any material components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible. Casting the spell by reading the scroll requires the spell’s normal casting time. Once the spell is cast, the words on the scroll fade, and it crumbles to dust. If the casting is interrupted, the scroll is not lost.
If the spell is on your class’s spell list but of a higher level than you can normally cast, you must make an ability check using your spellcasting ability to determine whether you cast it successfully. The DC equals 13. On a failed check, the spell disappears from the scroll with no other effect.
This scroll contains a 3rd level spell. The spell's saving throw DC is 15 and attack bonus is +7.
A wizard spell on a spell scroll can be copied just as spells in spellbooks can be copied. When a spell is copied from a spell scroll, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 13. If the check succeeds, the spell is successfully copied. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.
To This:
A spell scroll bears the words of a single spell, written in a mystical cipher. If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without providing any material components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible. Casting the spell by reading the scroll requires the spell’s normal casting time. Once the spell is cast, the words on the scroll fade, and it crumbles to dust. If the casting is interrupted, the scroll is not lost.
This scroll contains [_spell]INSERT SPELL NAME HERE[/spell_], a 3rd level spell. The spell's saving throw DC is 15 and attack bonus is +7. If the spell is on your class’s spell list but of a higher level than you can normally cast, you must make an ability check using your spellcasting ability to determine whether you cast it successfully. The DC equals 13. On a failed check, the spell disappears from the scroll with no other effect.
A wizard spell on a spell scroll can be copied just as spells in spellbooks can be copied. When a spell is copied from a spell scroll, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 13. If the check succeeds, the spell is successfully copied. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.
SAVE!!!
**Where I wrote [_spell]INSERT SPELL NAME HERE[/spell_] if you delete the underscores and insert the spell name it will look like this: Magic Circle. This is called a tooltip, they work almost everywhere except on the character sheet for some reason.
You can also make it a hyperlink like this, Magic Circle, by copying the URL from the spell’s page, and inserting with the tool button that looks like a chain (if you have no idea what I’m talking about turn your phone sideways). By making it a hyperlink it will function on the character sheet. The character sheet will make all of the text black lIke this—> Magic Circle, so it can be hard to see. I suggest making it bold and italics, so it stands out on the character sheet better like this: Magic Circle.
Or you could do both like this: Magic Circle. That way it works everywhichway.
There are more tips in posts further down in this thread, Posts #30, #31, #37, and #48.
For “Magic Item” select the spell scroll level with the correct level for the spell you wish the scroll to contain.
Scroll down the the “Spells” section and click “Add Spell”
Add the spell you want on the scroll by name in the name field.
Set the Modifier and DC to match the level of the scroll.
Set minimum and maximum charges to 1. SAVE!!
Rearrange the text from this: (I used a 3rd-level spell scroll as an example, each level of scroll has its own corresponding DCs already there)
A spell scroll bears the words of a single spell, written in a mystical cipher. If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without providing any material components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible. Casting the spell by reading the scroll requires the spell’s normal casting time. Once the spell is cast, the words on the scroll fade, and it crumbles to dust. If the casting is interrupted, the scroll is not lost.
If the spell is on your class’s spell list but of a higher level than you can normally cast, you must make an ability check using your spellcasting ability to determine whether you cast it successfully. The DC equals 13. On a failed check, the spell disappears from the scroll with no other effect.
This scroll contains a 3rd level spell. The spell's saving throw DC is 15 and attack bonus is +7.
A wizard spell on a spell scroll can be copied just as spells in spellbooks can be copied. When a spell is copied from a spell scroll, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 13. If the check succeeds, the spell is successfully copied. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.
To This:
A spell scroll bears the words of a single spell, written in a mystical cipher. If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without providing any material components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible. Casting the spell by reading the scroll requires the spell’s normal casting time. Once the spell is cast, the words on the scroll fade, and it crumbles to dust. If the casting is interrupted, the scroll is not lost.
This scroll contains [_spell]INSERT SPELL NAME HERE[/spell_], a 3rd level spell. The spell's saving throw DC is 15 and attack bonus is +7. If the spell is on your class’s spell list but of a higher level than you can normally cast, you must make an ability check using your spellcasting ability to determine whether you cast it successfully. The DC equals 13. On a failed check, the spell disappears from the scroll with no other effect.
A wizard spell on a spell scroll can be copied just as spells in spellbooks can be copied. When a spell is copied from a spell scroll, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 13. If the check succeeds, the spell is successfully copied. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.
SAVE!!!
**Where I wrote [_spell]INSERT SPELL NAME HERE[/spell_] if you delete the underscores and insert the spell name it will look like this: Magic Circle. This is called a tooltip, they work almost everywhere except on the character sheet for some reason.
You can also make it a hyperlink like this, Magic Circle, by copying the URL from the spell’s page, and inserting with the tool button that looks like a chain (if you have no idea what I’m talking about turn your phone sideways). By making it a hyperlink it will function on the character sheet. The character sheet will make all of the text black lIke this—> Magic Circle, so it can be hard to see. I suggest making it bold and italics, so it stands out on the character sheet better like this: Magic Circle.
Or you could do both like this: Magic Circle. That way it works everywhichway.
There are more tips in posts further down in this thread, Posts #30, #31, #37, and #48.
I saw that the other day. There are different pros and cons inherent to each approach. For folks very familiar with the DDB system, like you and me,
Your system would be much simpler to manage because the feat makes it work more correctly, and the inventory item would just be the checkbox indicating availability (👍 btw).
For my players, simpler is better. It’s easy enough for me to crank out a spell scroll in about a minute, then they can just manage scrolls as scrolls because they’re scrolls. As long as I only drop scrolls into the game that I can make work correctly then they don’t even notice the parts that cannot currently work correctly. Simple. If I tried to pitch your method. They would start completely ignoring scrolls as not worth the additional steps to use them. Heck, they already tend to ignore consumables that don’t start with the word “potion” and end with the phrase “of healing.” The we’re gonna ignore a Keoghtom's Ointment without even reading it until I said “it’s roughly the equivalent of 5 greater healing potions in one bottle.” Then all of a sudden I hear, “oh, I’ll take that.”
Sorry if I'm digging up a really old post, but I'm a new player and have been trying in vain to search these past few days for a way to add Spell Scrolls. As of mid-2023, is the best way to add/manage Spell Scrolls still the hack-y homebrew method mentioned by IamSposta and others in this thread? (incl. setting the item as "Wondrous Item" to be able to equip and see the spell in my spell list)?
Sorry if I'm digging up a really old post, but I'm a new player and have been trying in vain to search these past few days for a way to add Spell Scrolls. As of mid-2023, is the best way to add/manage Spell Scrolls still the hack-y homebrew method mentioned by IamSposta and others in this thread? (incl. setting the item as "Wondrous Item" to be able to equip and see the spell in my spell list)?
So far as I'm aware. But, the method does work well if you're prepared to spend the time creating scrolls. Some of the lower level spells have already been created this way as homebrew and publicly shared. You should be able to search them and add to your own collection of homebrew items.
Sorry if I'm digging up a really old post, but I'm a new player and have been trying in vain to search these past few days for a way to add Spell Scrolls. As of mid-2023, is the best way to add/manage Spell Scrolls still the hack-y homebrew method mentioned by IamSposta and others in this thread? (incl. setting the item as "Wondrous Item" to be able to equip and see the spell in my spell list)?
So far as I'm aware. But, the method does work well if you're prepared to spend the time creating scrolls. Some of the lower level spells have already been created this way as homebrew and publicly shared. You should be able to search them and add to your own collection of homebrew items.
I'm not subscribed so I think I can't add homebrew materials myself, but I'll ask our subscribed DM to see if he can try to add these pre-made shared homebrew scrolls in advance so other players in our campaign can have access to them as well. Thanks for the response!
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My understanding -- and my thinking may be corrupted by past editions of the game -- is that scrolls are assumed to be written by the least qualified caster able to write them if the author is unknown (most cases) and using the caster's appropriate level of skill if the caster *is known (mostly occurs if the PC themselves penned the scroll). In the latter case there would then be no problem with the way the scroll is cast when used. But, is that RAW in 5th ed? Or am I house ruling now?
That’s how it used to be, but 5e is more streamlined. This edition, RAW, every 3rd-level Spell scroll in existence now has a Save DC of 15, and an Attack Bonus of +7 regardless of who pens it.
As a DM, I can understand houseruling that if you write the scroll, it uses your numbers. But keep in mind, that requires more bookkeeping. You write 3 Scrolls of Fireball, use two of them, then you find 2 normal ones in a horde and now you have to track different stats. Then you go up several levels and then write 2 more, now you have 5 scrolls of Fireball, all written as 3rd-level scrolls, but there are two with one set of numbers, two with another set, and a fifth with another set of numbers.... So that’s why this edition it just uses that table.
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Why not just add under Manage spells on the Character Sheet, a menu option to select Scroll this way it will also show up under Spells with 1 charge?
All good points. :)
All good points. Why I'm suggesting to Beyond to add a menu option with each spell "Scroll" in the manage spells part of the Character Sheet. This will let all the numbers be adjustable to the scroll. Or this would be a lot of Homebrewing depending on how available are spell scrolls in your campaign. Just my suggestion for a way to manage scrolls on DnD beyonds Character Screen.
How can I set the fixed spell attack bonus?
In spells I can set the DC, charges and spell level, In modifiers I can't set a +5 ranged spell attack, it still uses the pc bonus
I don't get why this is so difficult/fiddly. Scrolls are present as treasure in pretty-much every adventure I've played Surely this should be basic functionality?
Genuinely confused as to why this isn't simpler? Am I missing something?
I'd like to make a couple suggestions regarding this issue:
1) I like the custom item suggestion as that's very easy for on the fly work, but can we get an option/drop-down on that menu for marking items as rare/uncommon/etc so they show up at the top of the inventory list. I've had a light scroll for ever because I don't scroll down (pun intended) far enough since my character is a pack rat
2) This would be a lot more customization and I get that it may be a long term goal, but could we get the option of having a drop down to specify what the spell is on the scroll once it's added. This might be a little like you add a generic scroll of a certain level but once you "select" the spell it makes a new item with the corresponding spell associated with it. That way the entity exists such that everyone is making homebrew scrolls all the time AND it doesn't clutter the items list when we search for stuff. Probably a lot of engineering cycles but just offering a way to do that might not be horrible.
i also worked out a solution to this problem :)
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/homebrew-house-rules/74426-homebrewed-a-spell-scroll-how-can-i-make-the-spell#c6
Worth noting (also originally from IamSposta):
If you make it a Wondrous Item instead of a Scroll, then you can "Use" it - which means the scroll shows up in your Spells list as one you can cast.
Note that you also need to change the # of charges min/max to 1, and spell level to the appropriate spell level when creating the item.
I saw that the other day. There are different pros and cons inherent to each approach. For folks very familiar with the DDB system, like you and me,
Your system would be much simpler to manage because the feat makes it work more correctly, and the inventory item would just be the checkbox indicating availability (👍 btw).
For my players, simpler is better. It’s easy enough for me to crank out a spell scroll in about a minute, then they can just manage scrolls as scrolls because they’re scrolls. As long as I only drop scrolls into the game that I can make work correctly then they don’t even notice the parts that cannot currently work correctly. Simple. If I tried to pitch your method. They would start completely ignoring scrolls as not worth the additional steps to use them. Heck, they already tend to ignore consumables that don’t start with the word “potion” and end with the phrase “of healing.” The we’re gonna ignore a Keoghtom's Ointment without even reading it until I said “it’s roughly the equivalent of 5 greater healing potions in one bottle.” Then all of a sudden I hear, “oh, I’ll take that.”
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I am also wondering about this. Sposta, care to explain to us how you make this?
Thank you in advance! :)
"A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence."
Unfortunately I t’s still not currently possible to set a fixed attack bonus like that. 🙄 Maybe one of these days…. 🤷♂️
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Sorry if I'm digging up a really old post, but I'm a new player and have been trying in vain to search these past few days for a way to add Spell Scrolls. As of mid-2023, is the best way to add/manage Spell Scrolls still the hack-y homebrew method mentioned by IamSposta and others in this thread? (incl. setting the item as "Wondrous Item" to be able to equip and see the spell in my spell list)?
So far as I'm aware. But, the method does work well if you're prepared to spend the time creating scrolls. Some of the lower level spells have already been created this way as homebrew and publicly shared. You should be able to search them and add to your own collection of homebrew items.
I'm not subscribed so I think I can't add homebrew materials myself, but I'll ask our subscribed DM to see if he can try to add these pre-made shared homebrew scrolls in advance so other players in our campaign can have access to them as well. Thanks for the response!