Do Oath Spells Use Spell Slots 5e?

If you are a player of Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, you might have encountered a Paladin character who has access to Oath Spells. As per the rules of D&D 5e, Paladins gain access to Oath Spells as they level up. These spells are exclusive to each Paladin subclass and allow them to have more options in combat and roleplay.

But, one question that might have come across your mind is whether these Oath Spells use spell slots or not In this article, we will explore this question in detail.

The Basics of Spell Slots

Before diving into the topic of Oath Spells, let’s first discuss spell slots. Spell slots are a limited resource that spellcasting classes like Wizards, Sorcerers, Clerics, Druids and Paladins use to cast spells. Each class has a different number of spell slots they can use for each level of spells they know.

For example, a level 3 Wizard has four 1st-level spell slots and two 2nd-level spell slots. This means that they can cast any combination of four different 1st-level spells or two different 2nd-level spells. Once all the spell slots have been used up, the caster cannot cast any more spells until they take a long rest or use other abilities like Arcane Recovery for Wizards.

Oath Spells and Spell Slots

Now that we understand what spell slots are let’s discuss whether Oath Spells use them or not.

The short answer is yes; Oath Spells do consume spell slots when cast. When a Paladin levels up and learns an Oath Spell, it becomes an option in their list of prepared spells for the day. They can choose to prepare that spell and cast it using one of their available spell slots.

For example, a level 3 Paladin who has taken the Oath of Devotion learns the spell Protection from Evil and Good as an Oath Spell. If they choose to prepare this spell for the day, they can cast it once using one of their available 1st-level spell slots. If they want to cast it again, they would need to use another 1st-level spell slot or use a higher-level spell slot if they have any available.

This means that Paladins need to be mindful of how many spells slots they have left when casting Oath Spells. They might need to prioritize which spells to use based on the situation they are in, much like other spellcasting classes.

Benefits of Oath Spells

Even though Oath Spells consume a Paladin’s limited resource of spell slots, they offer several benefits that make them worth casting. One significant advantage is that these spells are exclusive to each subclass and cannot be learned by other classes or subclasses. This makes them unique and can help in situations where a specific type of magic is needed.

Another benefit is that Oath Spells don’t count against the number of spells prepared for the day. Paladins can still prepare their usual number of spells and have access to their subclass-specific spells as well. This means that Paladins who take Oath Spells have more options in combat and roleplay than those who don’t.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Oath Spells do consume spell slots when cast by Paladins in D&D 5e. However, these spells offer unique benefits that make them worthwhile for players who want more options in combat and roleplay.

It’s essential for Paladin players to be mindful of how many spell slots they have left and prioritize which spells to use based on the situation they are in. With that said, Oath Spells are a great addition to the Paladin class and can provide exciting gameplay opportunities.

Thank you for reading!