Apologies if this has been asked before, searching the topic didn't help.
I've just been looking at the Scribe Scroll section of the DMG.
Am I correct in thinking that any spellcaster with Arcana or Calligraphy Tools proficiency and some spare cash and time can make a scroll, it's not limited to Mages?
To scribe a scroll, you must have proficiency in the Arcana skill or with Calligrapher’s Supplies and have the spell prepared on each day of the inscription. You must also have at hand any Material components required by the spell; if the spell consumes its Material components, they are consumed only when you complete the scroll. The scroll’s spell uses your spell save DC and spell attack bonus.
TarodNet is correct, and it's worth pointing out that you don't have to be a "spellcaster" in the sense of having spellcasting as a class feature. You just have to have one of those two proficiencies, and have the spell you want prepared.
This means that, for instance, an Elf or a Tiefling with the appropriate proficiency could make scrolls for the spells they get from their species features, which are explicitly said to be "always prepared". Likewise, anyone with a feat that offers always-prepared spells (e.g., Fey-Touched, Magic Initiate, Shadow-Touched) could make scrolls for the spells they got from that feat, as long as they have the right proficiency.
With the update to the spell scroll entry in the DMG that changed the words from "if the spell is on your class's spell list" to "if the spell is on your spell list" does that mean those always prepared level one spell casters such as the Elf and Tiefling could now use the scrolls they create?
It can be a bit confusing as to which rule should be applied since the PHB and free rules still say "class's spell list" but the DDB links from the words "Spell Scroll" in both those materials uses "on your spell list".
With the update to the spell scroll entry in the DMG that changed the words from "if the spell is on your class's spell list" to "if the spell is on your spell list" does that mean those always prepared level one spell casters such as the Elf and Tiefling could now use the scrolls they create?
It can be a bit confusing as to which rule should be applied since the PHB and free rules still say "class's spell list" but the DDB links from the words "Spell Scroll" in both those materials uses "on your spell list".
It's often accepted that spells learned through feats (such as Fey-Touched or Shadow-Touched) or species traits don't count as class spells, so I'd say no to that question.
EDIT: the word "class" isn't there, but IMO, the list is meant to be related to some class.
I agree; I think the intent of that change may have been to make it clearer that multiclass characters can use a scroll if the spell is on any of their classes’ lists.
I agree; I think the intent of that change may have been to make it clearer that multiclass characters can use a scroll if the spell is on any of their classes’ lists.
Yeah, probably, but maybe it requires errata? Interestingly, this is from the PHB, Equipment chapter:
A Spell Scroll (Cantrip) or Spell Scroll (Level 1) is a magic item that bears the words of a cantrip or level 1 spell, respectively, determined by the scroll’s creator. If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll and cast the spell using its normal casting time and without providing any Material components.
It's often accepted that spells learned through feats (such as Fey-Touched or Shadow-Touched) or species traits don't count as class spells, so I'd say no to that question.
EDIT: the word "class" isn't there, but IMO, the list is meant to be related to some class.
That does create the odd situation where RAW the magic initiate or the fey-touched could create scrolls but not use them.
Personally I don't think it really makes any narrative sense to restrict spell scrolls to only class spells, especially since the 2024 versions of feats like Magic Initiate and Shadow Touched explicitly allow casting the spells you get from those feats with spell slots you get from a class.
So, even though it seems to not quite be RAW, I think if I were DMing I'd let someone use a spell scroll as long as either or both of the following is true:
they have the spell prepared, via any source
the spell is on the class list for a class they have at least one level in
It's often accepted that spells learned through feats (such as Fey-Touched or Shadow-Touched) or species traits don't count as class spells, so I'd say no to that question.
EDIT: the word "class" isn't there, but IMO, the list is meant to be related to some class.
That does create the odd situation where RAW the magic initiate or the fey-touched could create scrolls but not use them.
Yeah, I know.
That's why the advice given by wagnarokkr is valuable, and I guess many DMs are currently doing that.
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Apologies if this has been asked before, searching the topic didn't help.
I've just been looking at the Scribe Scroll section of the DMG.
Am I correct in thinking that any spellcaster with Arcana or Calligraphy Tools proficiency and some spare cash and time can make a scroll, it's not limited to Mages?
The rules are really in the PHB. This is from the 2024 DMG:
And this is from the 2024 PHB:
TarodNet is correct, and it's worth pointing out that you don't have to be a "spellcaster" in the sense of having spellcasting as a class feature. You just have to have one of those two proficiencies, and have the spell you want prepared.
This means that, for instance, an Elf or a Tiefling with the appropriate proficiency could make scrolls for the spells they get from their species features, which are explicitly said to be "always prepared". Likewise, anyone with a feat that offers always-prepared spells (e.g., Fey-Touched, Magic Initiate, Shadow-Touched) could make scrolls for the spells they got from that feat, as long as they have the right proficiency.
pronouns: he/she/they
Thank you, I have the reading comprehension of a Gully Dwarf some days.
Don't say that, mate!
A good summary about crafting spell scrolls was posted in Let's Explore the Crafting Rules in the 2024 Player's Handbook!
PS. Thanks @wagnarokkr for adding more detail!
With the update to the spell scroll entry in the DMG that changed the words from "if the spell is on your class's spell list" to "if the spell is on your spell list" does that mean those always prepared level one spell casters such as the Elf and Tiefling could now use the scrolls they create?
It can be a bit confusing as to which rule should be applied since the PHB and free rules still say "class's spell list" but the DDB links from the words "Spell Scroll" in both those materials uses "on your spell list".
It's often accepted that spells learned through feats (such as Fey-Touched or Shadow-Touched) or species traits don't count as class spells, so I'd say no to that question.
EDIT: the word "class" isn't there, but IMO, the list is meant to be related to some class.
I agree; I think the intent of that change may have been to make it clearer that multiclass characters can use a scroll if the spell is on any of their classes’ lists.
pronouns: he/she/they
Yeah, probably, but maybe it requires errata? Interestingly, this is from the PHB, Equipment chapter:
That does create the odd situation where RAW the magic initiate or the fey-touched could create scrolls but not use them.
Personally I don't think it really makes any narrative sense to restrict spell scrolls to only class spells, especially since the 2024 versions of feats like Magic Initiate and Shadow Touched explicitly allow casting the spells you get from those feats with spell slots you get from a class.
So, even though it seems to not quite be RAW, I think if I were DMing I'd let someone use a spell scroll as long as either or both of the following is true:
pronouns: he/she/they
Yeah, I know.
That's why the advice given by wagnarokkr is valuable, and I guess many DMs are currently doing that.