If you’re a Dungeons & Dragons player, you’ve probably heard the term “spell slots” thrown around quite a bit. But what exactly are spell slots and how do they work in 5th edition (5e) of the game? In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of spell slots in D&D 5e.
First things first: what are spell slots? Simply put, spell slots are a limited resource that a player character (PC) uses to cast spells.
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Every PC has a certain number of spell slots per day, which can be used to cast spells from their known spells list. The number and level of spell slots available to a PC depends on their class and level.
For example, a 1st-level wizard has two 1st-level spell slots per day. This means they can cast two spells from their known spells list that are at the 1st level or lower. As they level up, they gain more spell slots and access to higher-level spells.
But here’s where things get a little more complicated: not all spells use up the same amount of spell slots. When casting a spell, the PC must use one of their available spell slots for that level or higher. For example, if our 1st-level wizard wants to cast the “magic missile” spell (a 1st-level spell), they must use one of their two available 1st-level spell slots.
But what if our wizard wants to cast “magic missile” again later in the day? They’ve already used up both of their 1st-level spell slots. This is where things get interesting: PCs can choose to cast lower-level spells using higher-level spell slots.
In our wizard’s case, they could choose to use one of their 2nd-level or higher-level spell slots to cast “magic missile” again. The benefit of doing so is that the higher-level spell slot makes the spell more powerful. For example, if our wizard cast “magic missile” using a 2nd-level spell slot, they would roll an extra 1d4 of damage.
This is where the strategy and planning of spellcasting comes into play. A PC must decide how to use their limited spell slots most effectively. Do they use higher-level spell slots to cast their most powerful spells, or do they conserve those slots for later and cast lower-level spells using higher-level slots?
It’s also worth noting that some classes have special abilities that allow them to recover expended spell slots. For example, a warlock can regain all of their expended spell slots after a short rest. This means they can potentially cast more spells per day than other classes.
In summary, spell slots are a limited resource that PCs use to cast spells in D&D 5e. The number and level of spell slots available depend on the PC’s class and level.
Higher-level spells can be cast using higher-level spell slots for increased power, but PCs must decide how to use their limited resources most effectively. With careful planning and strategy, a PC can make the most out of their available spell slots and become a powerful force on the battlefield.
