A Spell Scroll bears the words of a single spell, written in a mystical cipher. If the spell is on your spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without 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 scroll crumbles to dust. If the casting is interrupted, the scroll isn’t lost.
If the spell is on your spell list but of a higher level than you can normally cast, you make an ability check using your spellcasting ability to determine whether you cast the spell. The DC equals 10 plus the spell’s level. On a failed check, the spell disappears from the scroll with no other effect.
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 following 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 |
Copying a Scroll into a Spellbook. A Wizard spell on a Spell Scroll can be copied into a spellbook. When a spell is copied in this way, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 10 plus the spell’s level. On a successful check, the spell is copied. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the Spell Scroll is destroyed.
Notes: Utility, Consumable
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Posted Aug 24, 2025I've been playing D&D since the first player's guide came out in the 70s. The game has changed a lot, but honestly the rules regarding scrolls should have been hammered out and clearly stated long before now. The fact that we're still debating what they mean is not a positive for the writers.
For example: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/br-2024/magic-items#Scrolls says "Any creature that can understand a written language can read a scroll and attempt to activate it unless its description notes otherwise." Pretty broad! But at the same time: https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/9229085-spell-scroll quote "If the spell is on your spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without Material components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible." That seems like a complete contradiction?
Obvious caveat: every dm runs their game however they please and can change any rule they like.
In the old days you needed a "read magic" spell to read a scroll or spellbook. Once read you knew the scroll and could use it. But only wizardly types had that if I remember right. Clerics and druids didn't. <shrug?>
Personally I like restricting spell types to certain character classes. If everyone can cast any scroll, you lose specialization and individuality for the classes. If you happen to score a ton of cleric scrolls, you don't really need a cleric in your party.
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Posted Aug 25, 2025Action Surge is only for your turn, plus you could instead take 18 levels for 3 attacks and Bladesong, for an ac, speed, etc. bonus for 6 attacks, 9 only once *and* this is possible in the game if you succeed the check.