For ritual spells, why does the PHB state, “The caster must also have the spell prepared or on his or her list of spells known”? Doesn’t the spell have to be on the list of known spells to be able to be prepared? Why is the first condition, be prepared, there if it’s followed by the or condition, be known?
For ritual spells, why does the PHB state, “The caster must also have the spell prepared or on his or her list of spells known”? Doesn’t the spell have to be on the list of known spells to be able to be prepared? Why is the first condition, be prepared, there if it’s followed by the or condition, be known?
The distinction is for clerics and druids, who don't really have a list of "spells known." They have access to all cleric/druid spells, but don't "know" them all, so they can only ritually cast spells they have prepared. Wizards, however, can ritually cast any spell they know (i.e., it's in their spellbook) whether it's prepared or not.
Ritual casting is very different for different classes, so it’s probably best to refer to your specific class description when in doubt. TLDR version is that Wizards, Warlocks with book of ancient secrets, and characters with the Ritusl Caster feat can do any ritual that’s written in their book, Clerics and Druids can only do rituals they’ve prepared, and Bards can do any ritual they know. Sorcerers and the half casters (Fighter EK, Rogue AT, Paladin, Ranger) can’t cast Rituals as Rituals, but may still have some of those spells on their spell list to be cast normally.
For ritual spells, why does the PHB state, “The caster must also have the spell prepared or on his or her list of spells known”? Doesn’t the spell have to be on the list of known spells to be able to be prepared? Why is the first condition, be prepared, there if it’s followed by the or condition, be known?
The distinction is for clerics and druids, who don't really have a list of "spells known." They have access to all cleric/druid spells, but don't "know" them all, so they can only ritually cast spells they have prepared. Wizards, however, can ritually cast any spell they know (i.e., it's in their spellbook) whether it's prepared or not.
Ritual casting is very different for different classes, so it’s probably best to refer to your specific class description when in doubt. TLDR version is that Wizards, Warlocks with book of ancient secrets, and characters with the Ritusl Caster feat can do any ritual that’s written in their book, Clerics and Druids can only do rituals they’ve prepared, and Bards can do any ritual they know. Sorcerers and the half casters (Fighter EK, Rogue AT, Paladin, Ranger) can’t cast Rituals as Rituals, but may still have some of those spells on their spell list to be cast normally.
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I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
This is a good way to handle it.