How Do Spell Slots Work for Wizards?

If you’re new to playing a wizard in Dungeons and Dragons, you may be wondering how spell slots work. Spell slots are the resource that wizards use to cast spells, and they can be a bit confusing at first. In this tutorial, we’ll take a deep dive into how spell slots work for wizards.

What are Spell Slots?

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Spell slots are the resource that wizards use to cast spells. Each spell that a wizard knows requires a certain number of spell slots to cast.

For example, casting the Fireball spell requires a 3rd-level spell slot. Wizards have a limited number of spell slots available each day, so they must choose which spells to prepare and which ones to cast with their limited resources.

How Many Spell Slots Do Wizards Have?

A wizard’s number of spell slots depends on their level. At 1st level, a wizard has two 1st-level spell slots.

As they gain levels, they gain additional spell slots at higher levels. The table below shows how many spell slots a wizard has at each level:

  • 1st level: Two 1st-level spells
  • 2nd level: Three 1st-level spells
  • 3rd level: Four 1st-level spells and two 2nd-level spells
  • 4th level: Four 1st-level spells, three 2nd-level spells, and one 3rd-level spell
  • 5th level: Four 1st-level spells, three 2nd-level spells, and two 3rd-level spells
  • 6th level: Four 1st-level spells, three 2nd-level spells, two 3rd-level spells, and one 4th-level spell
  • 7th level: Four 1st-level spells, three 2nd-level spells, two 3rd-level spells, and two 4th-level spells
  • 8th level: Four 1st-level spells, three 2nd-level spells, two 3rd-level spells, and three 4th-level spells
  • 9th level: Four 1st-level spells, three 2nd-level spells, two 3rd-level spells, three 4th-level spells, and one 5th-level spell
  • 10th level: Four 1st-level spells, three 2nd-level spells, two 3rd-level spells, three 4th-level spells, and two 5th-level spells

Preparing Spells

Wizards must prepare their spell slots each day. At the end of a long rest, a wizard can choose a number of wizard spells equal to their Intelligence modifier + their wizard level (minimum of one spell). The chosen spells are then prepared for the day.

When a wizard casts a spell using a spell slot, that slot is expended for the day. For example, if a wizard casts Fireball using a third- level spell slot at the beginning of the day and later wants to cast Fireball again later in the day they cannot use another third- level slot to do so.

Casting Spells at Higher Levels

One of the advantages of being a wizard in D&D is the ability to cast lower- level spells at higher levels. When casting a spell using a higher- level spell slot than what is required by that spell (e.g., casting Fireball with a fourth- level slot instead of third), you can increase either its range or its damage output.

In Conclusion

Spell slots are an essential resource for wizards in D&D. Wizards must choose which spells they want to prepare each day carefully.

Once a spell slot is used to cast a spell, it cannot be used again until the wizard completes a long rest. By understanding how spell slots work, wizards can maximize their effectiveness in combat and other situations.