Spellcasting

For lists of spells, see Spell.

Spellcasting is the art of conjuring, creating and using magic. For some, this is a matter of study and practice, while others its natural cunning, instinct and genetics. Some gain this power from their gods, others through the spirits around them, and some through occult rites. These different sources are described as the four main practices of magic: Arcane, Divine, Primal and Occult.

Each source draws their power from something specific, for arcane spellcasters, this is the arcane weave, which flows through everything like an encoded memory of the world. For divine spellcasters, they receive their power from either higher powers and creatures or just pure faith.

Each source has their own way of creating magic, which means that the way they use components, learn spells or prepare and cast spells may differ.

Spell Level

Every spell has a level from 0 to 9. A spell's level is a general indicator of how powerful it is. Cantrips are simple level 0 spells that characters can cast without expending their resources. The higher a spell’s level, the higher level a Spellcaster must be to use that spell.

Spell Level and character level don’t correspond directly. Typically, a character has to be at least 17th level, not 9th level, to cast a 9th-level spell.

Spell Points

Characters and creatures that uses spellcasting has a pool of spell points to fuel spells. Each spell level has an associated point cost as shown in the Spell Point Cost table. Cantrips don't require slots and therefore don't require spell points.

The number of spell points you have to spend is based on your themes' Spellcasting Feats. You regain all spent spell points when you finish a long rest.

Show Spell Points TableShow Spell Points Table

Spell Level	Point Cost
0 (Cantrip)	0
1st	2
2nd	3
3rd	5
4th	8
5th	13
6th	21
7th	34
8th	55
9th	89

Spell Components

V	Verbose	You must be able to speak to cast the spell.
S	Somatic	You must be able to physically move your hands to be able to cast the spell.
M	Material	You must have the required material to cast the spell.

Rituals

Certain spells have a special tag: ritual. Such a spell can be cast following the normal rules for spellcasting, or the spell can be cast as a ritual. The ritual version of a spell takes 10 minutes longer to cast than normal. It also doesn't expend spell points, which means the ritual version of a spell can't be cast at a higher level.

Ritual Feat

To cast a spell as a ritual, a spellcaster must have the Ritual Casting feat. The caster must also have the spell prepared or on his or her list of spells known.

Thematic Spellcasting Differences

While all types of spellcasting are similar in many ways, they do have some distinctions, see the individual page: