I've noticed that when using a character generator to create a wizard, it does not limit what spells a wizard can have. So I was wandering, if a 9th level wizard only has spell slots for level 8, no nine slots, can he cast ninth level spells using a 8th level slot? If not, why does the generator allow you to even choose ninth level spells, and I also noticed that wizards are the only class that has no limit on how many spells a wizard can have per level like all the other classes where you can only have X amount of spells per level. I'm confused about this. I can't really find any answers in the PHB to clear this up, although our game has all high level characters (9 and up) ,I'd still like to know why wizards are different. Does it mean that wizards can cast any of the spells listed at any level or can they only cast spells up to the level in which they have spell slots? Could someone please explain this to me so I can have a better understanding of how wizards work.
If I understand it right, you can choose any number of spells from the list, but can only prepare a number of those spells equal to your INT mod + your wizard level and you can only choose spells from any level you have spell slots for, so at level 9 you can only choose 5th level spells, am I correct?
You essentialy have two lists, spells in your spellbook, and spells you have prepared (which are chosen from the spells in your spellbook)
Spells from your Spellbook: At level 1 you choose 6 spell level 1 wizard spells to add to your spellbook, and at each level up, you add 2 spells from the wizard list (limited by the highest tier of spell slot you have, for example at level 5 you can get 3rd level spells but not 4th) You can also add spells to your spellbook by copying them from scrolls or other means provided in the game, this cost money and time which is stated in the PHB.
The other list is: Spells you have prepared: Now out of the spells in your spellbook, you can prepare a limited amount of spells each day (you do that after a long rest), which amounts to your wizard level + int modifier, so for example at level 2 with 16 int, you can prepare 5 spells. A unique ability of the wizard is to ritual cast spells that are in the spellbook but are not prepared, unlike other classes like druid and cleric for example
To be honest, all of this information is in the Wizard Spellbook and Spellcasting sections, and I'll advice on reading them well as it's one of the main things of the class.
Thanks, I think i got it now, it's just a little confusing, I've read it several times and had a hard time understanding it. I'm planning on playing a wizard comming into a campaign that has very high level wizards (9 and up) I'm starting out at level 12 (DMs choice) and wanted to make sure I understand how they work. I think I got it now, just needed some clarifications on a few things, you cleared it up for me, thanks.
So at level 12 I can choose up to 28 spells to have in my spellbook, but can only prepare 17 which is my INT mod + 12 ,but I can choose as many spells I want from each level but not exceed 28 in total?
But I have to copy those spells into the spellbook requiring X amount of time for each spell.
You dont need to copy the spells you get from level up, but you can copy additional spells from books and scrolls. That is why the Wizard can seemingly have infinite spells in their book (it is only limited by time, money, and availability).
So am I right that I can have up to 28 spells in total at level 12 but no spells higher than level 6. I can only prepare 17 of those spells per day? I can have all of my 28 spells in the spellbook if I wish. So have I got it right?
So am I right that I can have up to 28 spells in total at level 12 but no spells higher than level 6. I can only prepare 17 of those spells per day? I can have all of my 28 spells in the spellbook if I wish. So have I got it right?
Mostly correct, it is possible to have more than 28 spells in your book if you copied them from other sources instead of from leveling up.
Also, for the spells learned by leveling up, they are subject to the level limit at the time they were learned, so at least 8 spells must be first level, the next 4 must be 2nd or lower, the next 4 3rd or lower, and so on. The part of that that is most likely to be relevant is that no more than 4 can be 6th level spells.
When in doubt, build the character level by level. But yeah.
28 spells in spellbook from level up. Up to 17 prepared (if you have 20 INT). Up to 4 spells (form level up) can be 6th level and no spells can be over 6th level.
It sounds like you understand it (at least the basics).
Yeah, I think I got it now. Mught have a little trouble when time to level up, but the DM should be able to help with that. Like I said, I'm starting out as a level 12 wizard, but will be aprenticing under a 20th level wizard.
I wish you luck for this game. It's a pretty complicated class if you're jumping right into the deep end at level 12. The class isn't too overwhelming if you play through it from level one (or even two or three), but picking it up that late in the game gives you a ton of stuff to keep track of and rules you need to abide by.
I know, but I kinda stuck myself into it, the DM needed a high level wizard and no one else volunteered ,so I decided to to give it a shot. I should be bale to handle it, I just had to get these things cleared up so I can understand what I need to do.
When in doubt, build the character level by level. But yeah.
I would definitely recommend doing it this way. Roll your wizard up in the character builder at Level 1, and pick their spells. Then add one level at a time & pick the additional spells, and pick your ASIs or Feats when appropriate. It will force you to stay in "compliance" with what assortment of spells you could have. Starting at Level 12 doesn't mean you can pick 16 5th-level spells, for example. Nor would you want to, you'd run out of spell slots to use them in very quickly.
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I've noticed that when using a character generator to create a wizard, it does not limit what spells a wizard can have. So I was wandering, if a 9th level wizard only has spell slots for level 8, no nine slots, can he cast ninth level spells using a 8th level slot? If not, why does the generator allow you to even choose ninth level spells, and I also noticed that wizards are the only class that has no limit on how many spells a wizard can have per level like all the other classes where you can only have X amount of spells per level. I'm confused about this. I can't really find any answers in the PHB to clear this up, although our game has all high level characters (9 and up) ,I'd still like to know why wizards are different. Does it mean that wizards can cast any of the spells listed at any level or can they only cast spells up to the level in which they have spell slots? Could someone please explain this to me so I can have a better understanding of how wizards work.
Take a read of the "Your Spellbook" blockquote on the Wizard class.
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So I can only choose spells for levels which I have spell slots right?
So for a ninth level wizard, he can only choose spells of 5th level and no higher?
If I understand it right, you can choose any number of spells from the list, but can only prepare a number of those spells equal to your INT mod + your wizard level and you can only choose spells from any level you have spell slots for, so at level 9 you can only choose 5th level spells, am I correct?
In a nutshell wizard spellbook works like this:
You essentialy have two lists, spells in your spellbook, and spells you have prepared (which are chosen from the spells in your spellbook)
Spells from your Spellbook: At level 1 you choose 6 spell level 1 wizard spells to add to your spellbook, and at each level up, you add 2 spells from the wizard list (limited by the highest tier of spell slot you have, for example at level 5 you can get 3rd level spells but not 4th)
You can also add spells to your spellbook by copying them from scrolls or other means provided in the game, this cost money and time which is stated in the PHB.
The other list is:
Spells you have prepared: Now out of the spells in your spellbook, you can prepare a limited amount of spells each day (you do that after a long rest), which amounts to your wizard level + int modifier, so for example at level 2 with 16 int, you can prepare 5 spells.
A unique ability of the wizard is to ritual cast spells that are in the spellbook but are not prepared, unlike other classes like druid and cleric for example
To be honest, all of this information is in the Wizard Spellbook and Spellcasting sections, and I'll advice on reading them well as it's one of the main things of the class.
Thanks, I think i got it now, it's just a little confusing, I've read it several times and had a hard time understanding it. I'm planning on playing a wizard comming into a campaign that has very high level wizards (9 and up) I'm starting out at level 12 (DMs choice) and wanted to make sure I understand how they work. I think I got it now, just needed some clarifications on a few things, you cleared it up for me, thanks.
So at level 12 I can choose up to 28 spells to have in my spellbook, but can only prepare 17 which is my INT mod + 12 ,but I can choose as many spells I want from each level but not exceed 28 in total?
But I have to copy those spells into the spellbook requiring X amount of time for each spell.
You dont need to copy the spells you get from level up, but you can copy additional spells from books and scrolls. That is why the Wizard can seemingly have infinite spells in their book (it is only limited by time, money, and availability).
Something that often trips people up is that the different spellcasting classes work differently.
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If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
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So am I right that I can have up to 28 spells in total at level 12 but no spells higher than level 6. I can only prepare 17 of those spells per day? I can have all of my 28 spells in the spellbook if I wish. So have I got it right?
Mostly correct, it is possible to have more than 28 spells in your book if you copied them from other sources instead of from leveling up.
Also, for the spells learned by leveling up, they are subject to the level limit at the time they were learned, so at least 8 spells must be first level, the next 4 must be 2nd or lower, the next 4 3rd or lower, and so on. The part of that that is most likely to be relevant is that no more than 4 can be 6th level spells.
When in doubt, build the character level by level. But yeah.
28 spells in spellbook from level up. Up to 17 prepared (if you have 20 INT). Up to 4 spells (form level up) can be 6th level and no spells can be over 6th level.
It sounds like you understand it (at least the basics).
Yeah, I think I got it now. Mught have a little trouble when time to level up, but the DM should be able to help with that. Like I said, I'm starting out as a level 12 wizard, but will be aprenticing under a 20th level wizard.
I wish you luck for this game. It's a pretty complicated class if you're jumping right into the deep end at level 12. The class isn't too overwhelming if you play through it from level one (or even two or three), but picking it up that late in the game gives you a ton of stuff to keep track of and rules you need to abide by.
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I know, but I kinda stuck myself into it, the DM needed a high level wizard and no one else volunteered ,so I decided to to give it a shot. I should be bale to handle it, I just had to get these things cleared up so I can understand what I need to do.
I would definitely recommend doing it this way. Roll your wizard up in the character builder at Level 1, and pick their spells. Then add one level at a time & pick the additional spells, and pick your ASIs or Feats when appropriate. It will force you to stay in "compliance" with what assortment of spells you could have. Starting at Level 12 doesn't mean you can pick 16 5th-level spells, for example. Nor would you want to, you'd run out of spell slots to use them in very quickly.