Is there a way to add a homebrew spell to a character so it doesn't coutn towards their normal spell limit, but still uses slots?
I've tried adding the spell to an item they can equip, but then it just appears with charges for it's use.
i want to appear in their spell list just like any other spell, but essentially they are learning it for free. When you add a spell via a sub-class there is a "count towards spell list" option, but i can't see this anywhere else. I'd rather not have to create a custom sub-class just to give this player a spell.
Short answer: Not the way you want, and it won’t work on the current Character Sheet because the point of clarification came from WotC after DDB had programmed the system differently. But there is a way Technically... but you might not like it.
Long Answer: The purpose of putting a spell on their spell list is that they can choose to learn the spell normally, taking up a Prepared/Known spell slot. A source granting a spell without taking that slot are few. The only instances in all of D&D 5e that I can think of off the top of my head are Class/Subclass features, and one special caveat about the Magic Initiate feat. (That caveat may actually extend to other instances similar to Magic Initiate, but I cannot say for certain.)
Magic Initiate lets a character choose one of the Full Caster classes: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, or Wizard. The character then gains two Cantrips and one 1st-level spell of their choice from that particular class list. The caveat is that the feat specifically states:
In addition, choose one 1st-level spell from that same list. You learn that spell and can cast it at its lowest level. Once you cast it, you must finish a long rest before you can cast it again using this feat.
This technicality only works because the feat expressly states “You learn that spell....” so technically, if that same spell is also on the spell list for the character that took that feat, then they have technically learned a spell from their own spell list without having had it take up that known/prepared slot. So therefore, that character could use their own spell slots to cast that spell in addition to the 1ce/LR for free.
Aside from class/subclass features, that is the only other instance of that free spell fully learned. Unfortunately, by the time WotC cleared that up, the DDB sheet had already been programmed to not account for that, so it doesn’t actually work exactly that way.
OK, thanks for clearing that up. I guess the easiest option is to just add the spell with something like 2 or 3 charges per long rest.
The “easiest” thing to do would be to make it a feat that grants them the ability to cast the spell “at will” and just tell them to mark off the spell slot each time that cast it. That is how users currently handle the Magic Initiate feat.
Also, keep in mind that DDB is hammering out the kinks in an almost year-long revamp of the character sheet and the feature builder (homebrew builder included) and that what you want to do may be available soon. So the workaround I just suggested might only need to be temporary.
Is there a way to add a homebrew spell to a character so it doesn't coutn towards their normal spell limit, but still uses slots?
I've tried adding the spell to an item they can equip, but then it just appears with charges for it's use.
i want to appear in their spell list just like any other spell, but essentially they are learning it for free. When you add a spell via a sub-class there is a "count towards spell list" option, but i can't see this anywhere else. I'd rather not have to create a custom sub-class just to give this player a spell.
Short answer: Not the way you want, and it won’t work on the current Character Sheet because the point of clarification came from WotC after DDB had programmed the system differently. But there is a way Technically... but you might not like it.
Long Answer: The purpose of putting a spell on their spell list is that they can choose to learn the spell normally, taking up a Prepared/Known spell slot. A source granting a spell without taking that slot are few. The only instances in all of D&D 5e that I can think of off the top of my head are Class/Subclass features, and one special caveat about the Magic Initiate feat. (That caveat may actually extend to other instances similar to Magic Initiate, but I cannot say for certain.)
Magic Initiate lets a character choose one of the Full Caster classes: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, or Wizard. The character then gains two Cantrips and one 1st-level spell of their choice from that particular class list. The caveat is that the feat specifically states:
This technicality only works because the feat expressly states “You learn that spell....” so technically, if that same spell is also on the spell list for the character that took that feat, then they have technically learned a spell from their own spell list without having had it take up that known/prepared slot. So therefore, that character could use their own spell slots to cast that spell in addition to the 1ce/LR for free.
Aside from class/subclass features, that is the only other instance of that free spell fully learned. Unfortunately, by the time WotC cleared that up, the DDB sheet had already been programmed to not account for that, so it doesn’t actually work exactly that way.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
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OK, thanks for clearing that up. I guess the easiest option is to just add the spell with something like 2 or 3 charges per long rest.
The “easiest” thing to do would be to make it a feat that grants them the ability to cast the spell “at will” and just tell them to mark off the spell slot each time that cast it. That is how users currently handle the Magic Initiate feat.
Also, keep in mind that DDB is hammering out the kinks in an almost year-long revamp of the character sheet and the feature builder (homebrew builder included) and that what you want to do may be available soon. So the workaround I just suggested might only need to be temporary.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting