Publication:World of Warcraft: The Role Playing Game/Spellcasting

Spellcasting

Wielding magic is a difficult and dangerous path, for it is fraught with the perils of the arcane or the demands of faith. Those who seek the paths of magic often fi nd themselves dedicated to methods of magic that in time erode their souls — or in some cases elevate them to the highest of powers. This is as true for the current heroes of the world of Warcraft as it is for the legends recorded in the annals of Lordaeron’s history.

A practitioner of magic in the Warcraft universe can prepare spells in advance, holding a group of spells in memory to cast at will. While a spellcasting hero can only cast a certain number of spells between periods of rest, the ability to have a few needed spells prepared combined with the ability to keep them always at the ready allows him to be as versatile as he needs to be. This method has risen out of the need for Warcraft spellcasters to be ready for change at any moment’s notice and keep casting as long as conflict lasts.

A character’s caster level, spellcasting ability score, and ranks in Spellcraft determine her total spellcasting capability. The expertise a spellcaster has in Spellcraft directly affects her ability to cast spells, as knowledge in the magical arts increases the spellcaster’s memory and comprehension of how to manipulate such energy. The character’s spellcasting ability score represents her innate talent for manipulating magic. The character’s level affects both of these factors; as levels increase so do potential skill ranks and ability scores.

Spell Level Preparation

A spellcaster can know any number of spells, but there is a limit to how many spells of each level he can have ready to cast at any given time. These are referred to as prepared, or prepped, spells. The character also has a number of spell slots for each level, each day. Casting a prepared spell uses up one of these slots, but the spell is not lost from the caster’s memory. Instead, the character can cast each prepared spell any number of times as long as the total number of spells he casts does not exceed his daily allotment. Prepared spells represent the particular spells that the character can cast; to prepare different spells, he must rest.

The character’s spellcasting ability score determines the maximum number of spells he can prepare after he rests (see Table 15–1: Prepared Spells). The number indicated applies separately to each spell level. An arcane caster’s primary ability is Intellect, while a divine caster’s primary ability is Spirit. A character can prepare one additional spell per spell level for every 4 ranks he has in Spellcraft.

Example: Finster is a 5th-level mage with Intellect 16 and 8 ranks in Spellcraft. His class level gives him access to spells of 3rd level and lower. His Intellect score and his Spellcraft ranks allow him to prepare 9 spells for each spell level from 0-level through 3rd-level.

TABLE 15-1: PREPARED SPELLS

Spell Slots

A caster's class table shows how many spells of each level she can cast before she must rest. These openings for spells are called spell slots. The caster can only use spell slots to cast spells that she has prepared. Once a caster uses up her available spell slots for a particular spell level, she cannot cast any more spells of that level until after she rests.

The caster can use a higher-level spell slot to cast a lower-level spell. This is particularly important if she lacks a high enough ability score to cast spells that would otherwise be available to her.

See individual class listings in Chapter 3:Classes for available spell slots per level.

Regaining Spell Slots

To regain used spell slots, a caster must rest for 8 hours. He does not have to slumber for every minute of the time, but he must refrain from vigorous movement, combat, spellcasting, skill use, conversation, or any other demanding physical or mental task. If his rest is interrupted, each interruption adds 1 hour to the total amount of time that he must rest; and he must have at least 1 hour of rest immediately prior to regaining lost spell slots.

The rules refer to “times per day” or “spell slots per day” for ease of reference. A caster is not restricted to resting only once every 24 hours. He can rest more than one time within a 24-hour period to recover spell slots, which effectively resets his day.

If a character has cast spells recently, the drain on his resources reduces his available spell slots. Each spell slot the character has used within the last 8 hours is subtracted from his total available spell slots.

Daily Spell Prearation

Resting restores any expended spell slots, but the caster must still determine which spells she shall prepare for the day. Preparing a spell takes a number of minutes equal to it's level. A 0-level spell requires 1 minute to prepare.

This preparation time may involve meditation, reading through a spellbook or a similar activity, as appropriate to the character. During this time the character must have enough peace, quiet and comfort to allow for proper concentration. Her surroundings need not be luxurious, but they must be free from overt distractions. Exposure to inclement weather prevents the necessary concentration, as does any immediate injury or failed saving throw (a character still healing wounds from a past battle prepares spells normally).

If the character is interrupted during spell preparation, she can cast spells choosing from only those spells that she has prepared so far. A spellcaster is assumed to always prepare spells from lowest level to highest level. If a character hasn’t prepared all her spells for a particular spell level, she may choose which ones she had prepared at the point she was interrupted.

Example: Finster can prepare up to nine spells for each spell level available to him. Prepping all his spells takes 63 minutes — 9 minutes for nine 0-level spells, 9 minutes for nine 1st-level spells, 18 minutes for nine 2nd-level spells, and 27 minutes for nine 3rd-level spells. If he is interrupted after 25 minutes, he has prepared all of his 0- and 1st-level spells, but only three of his 2nd-level spells. (Finster may choose which three.)

A caster may choose to prepare fewer spells than her maximum. Any spells she does not prepare do not count toward her preparation time but are not available for use. Later in the day, she can repeat the process to prepare the remaining spells. This preparation is handled in the exact same way, although the caster does not regain any used spell slots; recovering spell slots requires rest.

A spellcaster does not need to prepare spells each day — she may continue to use the spells that are in her memory from the day before (or the week before, for that matter). She must only prepare spells when she wishes to change the spells available to her. If she wishes to keep certain spells while changing others, her preparation time does not include the spells she wishes to keep, only those she is replacing.

Multiclass Casters and Spell Slots

Each spellcasting class gains spell levels and spell slots separately. Characters who take two or more spellcasting classes thus have separate spell lists for those classes, which results in separate spell level totals and spell slots to draw upon.

The exception to this rule is when a multiclass character’s different spells are based upon the same ability, such as a multiclass druid/priest whose spells are both affected by her Spirit. In such cases, the character prepares spell levels separately for each class based on her individual character levels in each; however, she adds the spell slots from both classes together to determine her total number of available spell slots.

Gaining New Spells

When a character reaches a new spellcasting level, he has the opportunity to learn new spells. This requires training with a character of equal or higher level in the same spellcasting class. The spells learned must be of levels that the caster can currently cast. He can learn a spell independently if he has the spell written in a spellbook or scroll.

A spellcaster does not learn spells automatically when he gains a new spellcaster level. Although the spellcaster’s abilities become more potent, his knowledge does not automatically expand to create insights into new ways to use magic. A spellcaster must learn all of his spells from a written source or by training with another spellcaster. A spellcaster can spend a maximum of 8 hours per day learning spells.

Assuming a mentor is available, learning a spell from her costs money and time: 50 gp and 30 minutes per spell level. At the end of this time, the spellcaster must make a Spellcraft check (DC 15 + spell level). Learning a 0- level spell costs 10 gp, takes 15 minutes, and requires no skill check.

Assuming a mentor is available, learning a spell from her costs money and time: 50 gp and 30 minutes per spell level. At the end of this time, the spellcaster must make a Spellcraft check (DC 15 + spell level). Learning a 0- level spell costs 10 gp, takes 15 minutes, and requires no skill check.

If a character has access to another spellcaster’s spellbook, or a scroll with a spell written on it, he can attempt to learn the spell from the written source. The spell must be of a level that the character can cast. Learning directly from written magic is more difficult than learning the spell with the aid of another spellcaster: doing so takes 1 hour per spell level. At the end of this time, the spellcaster must make a Spellcraft check (DC 20 + spell level). Learning a 0-level spell in this way takes 30 minutes and requires a DC 10 Spellcraft check. If the check is successful, the character learns the spell and the scroll is expended; if the check fails, the scroll remains intact for future attempts. The character may not try to learn that spell until he gains at least 1 rank in Spellcraft.

An arcane spellcaster must scribe any spells he has learned into a spellbook within 24 hours or the spell fades from his memory; he must relearn it as if he had never known it. Once a spell is scribed into his spellbook, the spellcaster may freely prepare the spell as long as the spellbook is within his possession. If the spellbook is unavailable, he may not prepare the spells within it. Divine casters meditate to prepare their spells and do not require spellbooks. However, they must learn spells, as described above, before they can prepare them.

Spellbooks

Spellbooks are tomes of magic that contain arcane formulas; these formulas manifest as spells. A spellbook is a repository of magical lore as well as a place where a spellcaster stores the spells she knows. Most importantly, a spellbook is the key to spell preparation. An arcane caster without access to a spellbook cannot prepare spells. A spellcaster can prepare spells from another spellcaster’s spellbook. She must study the unfamiliar spellbook for 8 hours, she must know the spells that she is to prepare, and those spells must be present within the spellbook. No more than one spellcaster can use a spellbook at any given time. Preparing spells from another spellcaster’s spellbook doubles the normal amount of preparation time.

Scribing Spells

Scribing a spell into a spellbook takes 1 hour per spell level and requires special inks that cost 25 gp per spell level. Scribing a 0-level spell takes 15 minutes and costs 10 gp. A spellbook’s market value is equal to 50 gp multiplied by the total level of spells within it. Therefore, a book with six 0-level spells, fi ve 1st-level spells, four 2nd-level spells, and two 3rd-level spells is worth 950 gp (19 total levels times 50 gp; the 0-level spells do not count toward the value of the book).

The spellcaster who scribed the tome can offer to teach the spells from the book and charge the normal amount for doing so. If a spellcasting character chooses to charge higher or lower rates for teaching spells, so be it — but remember that other mentors may not enjoy having their rates undercut. A mentor may only teach spells to a spellcaster with a level equal to or lower than his own. Spellbooks have 100 pages. A single spell takes up exactly one page regardless of level.

Divine Domains

Divine domains describe healer spells and help defi ne divine spells.

Healers can have greater or lesser access to a specifi c divine domain. A healer’s degree of access governs her ability to use the domain’s powers and spells.

Greater access allows a divine spellcaster the ability to use both the greater and lesser powers the domain grants, and it allows her access to all of the spells within the domain.

Lesser access allows a divine spellcaster the ability to use the lesser granted power of a domain, and it allows her access to spells of up to 3rd level within the domain.

Domains also allow a divine spellcaster to prepare and cast one additional spell per day for each spell level available to her. These additional spells come only from a domain’s list of spells. (See Chapter 3: Classes, “Healer” for more information.)

Magic Overview

A spell is a one-time magical effect. Spells come in two types: arcane (cast by arcanists) and divine (cast by healers and experienced paladins). Most spellcasters prepare their spells in advance — whether from a spellbook or through devout prayers and meditation.

Cutting across the categories of arcane and divine spells are the eight schools of magic. These schools represent the different ways that spells take effect.

Casting Spells

Whether a spell is arcane or divine, casting a spell works the same way.

Choosing a Spell

First you must choose which spell to cast. You select one from among the spells you prepared earlier in the day. To cast a spell, you must be able to speak (if the spell has a verbal component), gesture (if it has a somatic component), and manipulate the material components or focus (if any). Additionally, you must concentrate to cast a spell.

If a spell has multiple versions, you choose which version to use when you cast it. You don’t have to prepare a specific version of the spell.

When you cast a prepared spell it expends a spell slot of the appropriate level. You can cast the same spell again later if you have more spell slots available.

Concentration

To cast a spell, you must concentrate. If something interrupts your concentration while you’re casting, you must make a Concentration check or lose the spell. The more distracting the interruption and the higher the level of the spell you are trying to cast, the higher the DC is. If you fail the check, you lose the spell just as if you had cast it to no effect (the spell is still prepared and in memory, but the spell slot is gone for the day).

Injury: If you take damage while trying to cast a spell, you must make a Concentration check (DC 10 + points of damage taken + the level of the spell you’re casting). If you fail the check, you lose the spell without effect. The interrupting event strikes during spellcasting if it comes between when you start and when you complete a spell (for a spell with a casting time of 1 full round or more) or if it comes in response to your casting the spell (such as an attack of opportunity provoked by the spell or a contingent attack, such as a readied action).

If you are taking continuous damage (such as from a shadow strike spell), half the damage is considered to take place while you are casting a spell. You must make a Concentration check (DC 10 + 1/2 the damage that the continuous source last dealt + the level of the spell you’re casting). If the last damage dealt was the last damage that the effect could deal, then the damage is over, and it does not distract you. Repeated damage does not count as continuous damage.

Spell: If you are affected by a spell while attempting to cast a spell of your own, you must make a Concentration check or lose the spell you are casting. If the spell affecting you deals damage, the DC is 10 + points of damage + the level of the spell you’re casting.

If the spell interferes with you or distracts you in some other way, the DC is the spell’s saving throw DC + the level of the spell you’re casting. For a spell with no saving throw, it’s the DC that the spell’s saving throw would have if a save were allowed.

Grappling or Pinned: The only spells you can cast while grappling or pinned are those without somatic components and whose material components (if any) you have in hand. Even so, you must make a Concentration check (DC 20 + the level of the spell you’re casting) or lose the spell.

Vigorous Motion: If you are riding on a moving mount, taking a bouncy ride in a wagon, on a small boat in rough water, below-decks in a storm-tossed ship, or being jostled in a similar fashion, you must make a Concentration check (DC 10 + the level of the spell you’re casting) or lose the spell.

Violent Motion: If you are on a galloping horse, taking a very rough ride in a wagon, on a small boat in rapids or in a storm, on deck in a storm-tossed ship, or being tossed roughly about in a similar fashion, you must make a Concentration check (DC 15 + the level of the spell you’re casting) or lose the spell.

Violent Weather: You must make a Concentration check if you try to cast a spell in violent weather. If you are in a high wind carrying blinding rain or sleet, the DC is 5 + the level of the spell you’re casting. If you are in winddriven hail, dust or debris, the DC is 10 + the level of the spell you’re casting. In either case, you lose the spell if you fail the Concentration check. If the weather is caused by a spell, use the rules in the Spell subsection above.

Casting Defensively: If you want to cast a spell without provoking any attacks of opportunity, you must make a Concentration check (DC 15 + the level of the spell you’re casting) to succeed. You lose the spell if you fail.

Entangled: If you want to cast a spell while entangled in a net or other device, or while you’re affected by a spell with similar effects, you must make a DC 15 Concentration check to cast the spell. You lose the spell if you fail.

Counterspells

It is possible to cast any spell as a counterspell. By doing so, you are using the spell’s energy to disrupt the casting of the same spell by another character. Counterspelling works even if one spell is divine and the other arcane.

How Counterspells Work: To use a counterspell, you must select an opponent as the target of the counterspell. You do this by choosing the ready action. In doing so, you elect to wait to complete your action until your opponent tries to cast a spell. (You may still move your speed, since ready is a standard action.)

If the target of your counterspell tries to cast a spell, make a Spellcraft check (DC 15 + the spell’s level). This check is a free action. If the check succeeds, you correctly identify the opponent’s spell and can attempt to counter it. If the check fails, you can’t do either of these things.

To complete the action, you must then cast the correct spell. As a general rule, a spell can only counter itself. If you are able to cast the same spell and you have it prepared, you cast it, altering it slightly to create a counterspell effect. If the target is within range, both spells automatically negate each other with no other results.

Counterspelling Metamagic Spells: Metamagic feats are not taken into account when determining whether a spell can be countered. An unmodified frost nova can counter a maximized, expanded frost nova.

Specific Exceptions: Some spells specifically counter each other, especially when they have diametrically opposed effects.

Dispel Magic as a Counterspell: You can use dispel magic to counterspell another spellcaster, and you don’t need to identify the spell he or she is casting. However, dispel magic doesn’t always work as a counterspell (see the spell description).

Caster Level

A spell’s power often depends on its caster level, which for most spellcasting characters is equal to your class level in the class you’re using to cast the spell.

You can cast a spell at a lower caster level than normal, but the caster level you choose must be high enough for you to cast the spell in question, and all level-dependent features must be based on the same caster level.

In the event that a class feature, domain granted power, or other special ability provides an adjustment to your caster level, that adjustment applies not only to effects based on caster level (such as range, duration, and damage dealt) but also to your caster level check to overcome your target’s spell resistance and to the caster level used in dispel checks (both the dispel check and the DC of the check). Penalties to caster level (such as those imposed by arcane addiction) also apply to all aspects of the spell listed above.

Spell Failure

If you ever try to cast a spell in conditions where the characteristics of the spell cannot be made to conform, the casting fails and the spell is wasted.

Spells also fail if your concentration is broken, and might fail if you’re wearing armor while casting a spell with somatic components.

A failed casting does not remove the spell from your prepared memory; only the spell slot is lost.

The Spell's Result

Once you know which creatures (or objects or areas) are affected, and whether those creatures have made successful saving throws (if any were allowed), you can apply whatever results a spell entails.

Special Spell Effects

Many special spell effects are handled according to the school of the spells in question. Certain other special spell features are found across spell schools.

Attacks: Some spell descriptions refer to attacking. All offensive combat actions, even those that don’t damage opponents, are considered attacks. Attempts to turn or rebuke creatures count as attacks. All spells that opponents resist with saving throws, that deal damage, or that otherwise harm or hamper subjects are attacks. Spells that summon monsters or other allies are not attacks because the spells themselves don’t harm anyone.

Bonus Types: Usually, a bonus has a type that indicates how the spell grants the bonus. The important aspect of bonus types is that two bonuses of the same type don’t generally stack. With the exception of dodge bonuses, most circumstance bonuses, and racial bonuses, only the better bonus works (see Combining Magical Effects, below). The same principle applies to penalties — a character taking two or more penalties of the same type applies only the worst one.

Bringing Back the Dead: Several spells have the power to restore slain characters to life.

Level Loss: Any creature brought back to life usually loses one level of experience. The character’s new experience point total is midway between the minimum needed for his new (reduced) level and the minimum needed for the next one. If the character was 1st level at the time of death, he loses 2 points of Stamina instead of losing a level.

This level loss or Stamina loss cannot be repaired by any mortal means, even wish or miracle. A revived character can regain a lost level by earning experience points through further adventuring. A revived character who was 1st level at the time of death can regain lost points of Stamina by improving his or her Stamina score when he or she attains a level that allows an ability score increase.

Preventing Revivification: Enemies can take steps to make it more difficult for a character to be returned from the dead. Keeping the body prevents others from using raise dead or resurrection to restore the slain character to life.

Revivification against One’s Will: A soul cannot be returned to life if it does not wish to be. A soul knows the name, alignment, and faith (if any) of the character attempting to revive it and may refuse to return on that basis.

Combining Magical Effects

Spells or magical effects usually work as described, no matter how many other spells or magical effects happen to be operating in the same area or on the same recipient. Except in special cases, a spell does not affect the way another spell operates. Whenever a spell has a specific effect on other spells, the spell description explains that effect. Several other general rules apply when spells or magical effects operate in the same place:

Stacking Effects: Spells that provide bonuses or penalties on attack rolls, damage rolls, saving throws, and other attributes usually do not stack with themselves.

More generally, two bonuses of the same type don’t stack even if they come from different spells (or from effects other than spells; see Bonus Types, above).

Different Bonus Names: The bonuses or penalties from two different spells stack if the modifiers are of different types. A bonus that isn't named stacks with any bonus.

Same Effect More than Once in Different Strengths: In cases when two or more identical spells are operating in the same area or on the same target, but at different strengths, only the best one applies.

Same Effect with Differing Results: The same spell can sometimes produce varying effects if applied to the same recipient more than once. Usually the last spell in the series trumps the others. None of the previous spells are actually removed or dispelled, but their effects become irrelevant while the final spell in the series lasts.

One Effect Makes Another Irrelevant: Sometimes, one spell can render a later spell irrelevant. Both spells are still active, but one has rendered the other useless in some fashion.

Multiple Mental Control Effects: Sometimes magical effects that establish mental control render each other irrelevant, such as a spell that removes the subject’s ability to act. Mental controls that don’t remove the recipient’s ability to act usually do not interfere with each other. If a creature is under the mental control of two or more creatures, it tends to obey each to the best of its ability, and to the extent of the control each effect allows. If the controlled creature receives conflicting orders simultaneously, the competing controllers must make opposed Charisma checks to determine which one the creature obeys.

Spells with Opposite Effects: Spells with opposite effects apply normally, with all bonuses, penalties, or changes accruing in the order that they apply. Some spells negate or counter each other. This is a special effect that is noted in a spell’s description.

Instantaneous Effects: Two or more spells with instantaneous durations work cumulatively when they affect the same target.

Spell Descriptions

The description of each spell is presented in a standard format. Each category of information is explained and defined below.

Name

The first line of every spell description gives the name by which the spell is generally known.

School (Subschool)

Beneath the spell name is a line giving the school of magic (and the subschool, if appropriate) that to which the spell belongs.

[Descriptor]

Appearing on the same line as the school and subschool, when applicable, is a descriptor that further categorizes the spell in some way. Some spells have more than one descriptor.

The descriptors are acid, air,chaotic, cold, darkness, death, earth, electricity, evil, fear, fel, fire, force, good ,language-dependent, lawful, light, mind-affecting, sonic and water.

Nist if these descriptors have no game effect by themselves, but they govern how the spell interacts with other spells, with special abilities, with unusual creatures, with alignment, and so on.

A language-dependent spell uses intelligible language as a medium for communication. If the target cannot understand or cannot hear what the caster of a language-dependent spells, the spell fails.

A mind-affecting spell works only against creatures with an Intellect score of 1 or higher.

Level

The next line of a spell description gives the spell's level, a number between 0 and 9 that defines the spell's relative power. This number is preceded by an abbreviation for the class whose members can cast the spell. The Level entry also indicates whether a spell is a domain spell, and if so, what its domain and its level as a domain spell are. A spell's level affects the DC for any save allowed against the effect.

Names of spellcasting classes are abbreviated as follows: arcanist Arc; assassin Asn; druid Drd; elven ranger Elr; healer Hlr; mage Mge; nercomancer Ncr; paladin Pal; priest Pre; shaman Sha; warlock Wrl; wilderness stalker Wds.

The domains a spell can be associated with include Animal, Death, Destruction, Elements, Healing, Protection, Spirits, War and Wild.

Components

A spell’s components are what you must do or possess to cast it. The Components entry in a spell description includes abbreviations that tell you what type of components it has. Specifics for material, focus and XP components are given at the end of the descriptive text. Usually you don’t worry about components, but when you can’t use a component for some reason or when a material or focus component is expensive, then the components are important.

Verbal (V): A verbal component is a spoken incantation. To provide a verbal component, you must be able to speak in a strong voice. A silence spell or a gag spoils the incantation (and thus the spell). A spellcaster who has been deafened has a 20% chance to spoil any spell with a verbal component that she tries to cast.

Somatic (S): A somatic component is a measured and precise movement of the hand. You must have at least one hand free to provide a somatic component.

Material (M): A material component is one or more physical substances or objects that are annihilated by the spell energies in the casting process. Unless a cost is given for a material component, the cost is negligible. Don’t bother to keep track of material components with negligible cost. Assume you have all you need as long as you have your spell component pouch.

Focus (F): A focus component is a prop of some sort. Unlike a material component, a focus is not consumed when the spell is cast and can be reused. As with material components, the cost for a focus is negligible unless a price is given. Assume that focus components of negligible cost are in your spell component pouch.

Divine Focus (DF): A divine focus component is an item of spiritual signifi cance. The divine focus is a holy symbol appropriate to the character’s faith.

If the Components line includes F/DF or M/DF, the arcane version of the spell has a focus component or a material component (the abbreviation before the slash) and the divine version has a divine focus component (the abbreviation after the slash).

XP Cost (XP): Some powerful spells entail an experience point cost to you. No spell can restore the experience points lost in this manner. You cannot spend so many experience points that you lose a level, so you cannot cast the spell unless you have enough points to spare. However, you may, on gaining enough experience points to attain a new level, use those points for casting a spell rather than keeping them and advancing a level. The experience points are treated just like a material component — expended when you cast the spell, whether or not the casting succeeds.

Casting Time

Most spells have a casting time of 1 standard action. Others take 1 round or more, while a few require only a free action.

A spell that takes 1 round to cast is a full-round action. It comes into effect just before the beginning of your turn in the round after you began casting the spell. You then act normally after the spell is completed.

A spell that takes 1 minute to cast comes into effect just before your turn 1 minute later (and for each of those 10 rounds, you are casting a spell as a full-round action, just as noted above for 1- round casting times). These actions must be consecutive and uninterrupted, or the spell automatically fails.

When you begin a spell that takes 1 round or longer to cast, you must continue the concentration from the current round to just before your turn in the next round (at least). If you lose concentration before the casting is complete, you lose the spell.

A spell with a casting time of 1 free action doesn’t count against your normal limit of one spell per round. However, you may cast such a spell only once per round. Casting a spell with a casting time of 1 free action doesn't provoke attacks of opportunity.

You make all pertinent decisions about a spell (range, target, area, effect, version, and so forth) when the spell comes into effect.

Range

A spell’s range indicates how far from you it can reach, as defined in the Range entry of the spell description. A spell’s range is the maximum distance from you that the spell’s effect can occur, as well as the maximum distance at which you can designate the spell’s point of origin. If any portion of the spell’s area would extend beyond this range, that area is wasted. Standard ranges include the following.

Personal: The spell affects only you.

Touch: must touch a creature or object to affect it. A touch spell that deals damage can score a critical hit just as a weapon can. A touch spell threatens a critical hit on a natural roll of 20 and deals double damage on a successful critical hit. Some touch spells allow you to touch multiple targets. You can touch as many willing subjects as you can reach as part of the casting, but all subjects of the spell must be touched in the same round that you finish casting the spell.

Close: The spell reaches as far as 25 feet away from you. The maximum range increases by 5 feet for every two full caster levels.

Medium: The spell reaches as far as 100 feet + 10 feet per caster level.

Long: The spell reaches as far as 400 feet + 40 feet per caster level.

Unlimited: The spell reaches anywhere on the same plane of existence.

Range Expressed in Feet: Some spells have no standard range category, just a range expressed in feet.

Aiming a Spell

You must make some choice about whom the spell is to affect or where the effect is to originate, depending on the type of spell. The next entry in a spell description defines the spell’s target (or targets), its effect, or its area, as appropriate.

Target or Targets: Some spells have a target or targets. You cast these spells on creatures or objects, as defined by the spell itself. You must be able to see or touch the target, and you must specifically choose that target. You do not have to select your target until you finish casting the spell.

If the target of a spell is yourself (the spell description has a line that reads Target: You), you do not receive a saving throw, and spell resistance does not apply. The Saving Throw and Spell Resistance lines are omitted from such spells.

Some spells restrict you to willing targets only. Declaring yourself as a willing target is something that can be done at any time (even if you’re fl at-footed or it isn't your turn). Unconscious creatures are automatically considered willing, but a character who is conscious but immobile or helpless (such as one who is bound, cowering, grappling, paralyzed, pinned or stunned) is not automatically willing.

Some spells allow you to redirect the effect to new targets or areas after you cast the spell. Redirecting a spell is a move action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Effect: Some spells create or summon things rather than affecting things that are already present. You must designate the location where these things are to appear, either by seeing it or defining it. Range determines how far away an effect can appear, but if the effect is mobile it can move regardless of the spell’s range.

Ray:' Some effects are rays. You aim a ray as if using a ranged weapon, though typically you make a ranged touch attack rather than a normal ranged attack. As with a ranged weapon, you can fire into the dark or at an invisible creature and hope you hit something. You don’t have to see the creature you’re trying to hit, as you do with a targeted spell. Intervening creatures and obstacles, however, can block your line of sight or provide cover for the creature you’re aiming at.

If a ray spell has a duration, it’s the duration of the effect that the ray causes, not the length of time the ray itself persists.

If a ray spell deals damage, you can score a critical hit just as if it were a weapon. A ray spell threatens a critical hit on a natural roll of 20 and deals double damage on a successful critical hit.

Spread: Some effects, notably clouds and fogs, spread out from a point of origin, which must be a grid intersection. The effect can extend around corners and into areas that you can’t see. Figure distance by actual distance traveled, taking into account turns the spell effect takes. When determining distance for spread effects, count around walls, not through them. As with movement, do not trace diagonals across corners. You must designate the point of origin for such an effect, but you need not have line of effect (see below) to all portions of the effect.

Area: Some spells affect an area. Sometimes a spell description specifies a specially defined area, but usually an area falls into one of the categories defined below.

Regardless of the shape of the area, you select the point where the spell originates, but otherwise you don’t control which creatures or objects the spell affects. The point of origin of a spell is always a grid intersection. When determining whether a given creature is within the area of a spell, count out the distance from the point of origin in squares just as you do when moving a character or when determining the range for a ranged attack. The only difference is that instead of counting from the center of one square to the center of the next, you count from intersection to intersection. You can count diagonally across a square, but remember that every second diagonal counts as 2 squares of distance. If the far edge of a square is within the spell’s area, anything within that square is within the spell’s area. If the spell’s area only touches the near edge of a square, however, anything within that square is unaffected by the spell.

Burst, Emanation or Spread: Most spells that affect an area function as a burst, an emanation or a spread. In each case, you select the spell’s point of origin and measure its effect from that point.

A burst spell affects whatever it catches in its area, even including creatures that you can’t see. It can’t affect creatures with total cover from its point of origin (in other words, its effects don’t extend around corners). The default shape for a burst effect is a sphere, but some burst spells are specifically described as cone-shaped. A burst’s area defines how far from the point of origin the spell’s effect extends.

An emanation spell functions like a burst spell, except that the effect continues to radiate from the point of origin for the duration of the spell. Most emanations are cones or spheres.

A spread spell spreads out like a burst but can turn corners. You select the point of origin, and the spell spreads out a given distance in all directions. Figure the area the spell effect fills by taking into account any turns the spell effect takes.

Cone, Cylinder, Line or Sphere: Most spells that affect an area have a particular shape, such as a cone, cylinder, line or sphere.

A cone-shaped spell shoots away from you in a quarter-circle in the direction you designate. It starts from any corner of your square and widens out as it goes. Most cones are either bursts or emanations (see above), and thus won’t go around corners.

When casting a cylinder-shaped spell, you select the spell’s point of origin. This point is the center of a horizontal circle, and the spell shoots down from the circle, filling a cylinder. A cylinder-shaped spell ignores any obstructions within its area.

A line-shaped spell shoots away from you in a line in the direction you designate. It starts from any corner of your square and extends to the limit of its range or until it strikes a barrier that blocks line of effect. A line-shaped spell affects all creatures in squares that the line passes through.

A sphere-shaped spell expands from its point of origin to fill a spherical area. Spheres may be bursts, emanations, or spreads.

Creatures: A spell with this kind of area affects creatures directly (like a targeted spell), but it affects all creatures in an area of some kind rather than individual creatures you select. The area might be a spherical burst, a cone-shaped burst, or some other shape.

Many spells affect “living creatures,” which means all creatures other than constructs and undead. Creatures in the spell’s area that are not of the appropriate type do not count against the creatures affected.

Objects: A spell with this kind of area affects objects within an area you select (as Creatures, but affecting objects instead).

Other: A spell can have a unique area, as defined in its description.

(S) Shapeable: If an Area or Effect entry ends with “(S),” you can shape the spell. A shaped effect or area can have no dimension smaller than 10 feet. Many effects or areas are given as cubes to make it easy to model irregular shapes. Three-dimensional volumes are most often needed to defi ne aerial or underwater effects and areas.

Line of Effect: A line of effect is a straight, unblocked path that indicates what a spell can affect. A line of effect is canceled by a solid barrier. It’s like line of sight for ranged weapons, except that it’s not blocked by fog, darkness and other factors that limit normal sight.

You must have a clear line of effect to any target that you cast a spell on or to any space in which you wish to create an effect. You must have a clear line of effect to the point of origin of any spell you cast. A burst, cone, cylinder or emanation spell affects only an area, creatures or objects to which it has line of effect from its origin (a spherical burst’s center point, a cone-shaped burst’s starting point, a cylinder’s circle, or an emanation’s point of origin).

An otherwise solid barrier with a hole of at least 1 square foot through it does not block a spell’s line of effect. Such an opening means that the 5-foot length of wall containing the hole is no longer considered a barrier for purposes of a spell’s line of effect.

Duration

A spell’s Duration entry tells you how long the magical energy of the spell lasts.

Timed Durations: Many durations are measured in rounds, minutes, hours or some other increment. When the time is up, the magic goes away and the spell ends. If a spell’s duration is variable, the duration is rolled secretly (the caster doesn’t know how long the spell will last).

Instantaneous: The spell energy comes and goes the instant the spell is cast, though the consequences might be long-lasting.

Permanent: The energy remains as long as the effect does. This means the spell is vulnerable to dispel magic.

Concentration: The spell lasts as long as you concentrate on it. Concentrating to maintain a spell is a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. Anything that could break your concentration when casting a spell can also break your concentration while you’re maintaining one, causing the spell to end. You can’t cast a spell while concentrating on another one. Sometimes a spell lasts for a short time after you cease concentrating.

Subjects, Effects and Areas: If the spell affects creatures directly the result travels with the subjects for the spell’s duration. If the spell creates an effect, the effect lasts for the duration. The effect might move or remain still. Such an effect can be destroyed prior to when its duration ends. If the spell affects an area then the spell stays with that area for its duration. Creatures become subject to the spell when they enter the area and are no longer subject to it when they leave.

Touch Spells and Holding the Charge: In most cases, if you don’t discharge a touch spell on the round you cast it, you can hold the charge (postpone the discharge of the spell) indefinitely. You can make touch attacks round after round. If you cast another spell, the touch spell dissipates.

Some touch spells allow you to touch multiple targets as part of the spell. You can’t hold the charge of such a spell; you must touch all targets of the spell in the same round that you finish casting the spell.

Discharge: Occasionally a spells lasts for a set duration or until triggered or discharged.

(D) Dismissible: If the Duration line ends with “(D),” you can dismiss the spell at will. You must be within range of the spell’s effect and must speak words of dismissal, which are usually a modified form of the spell’s verbal component. If the spell has no verbal component, you can dismiss the effect with a gesture. Dismissing a spell is a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. A spell that depends on concentration is dismissible by its very nature, and dismissing it does not take an action, since all you have to do to end the spell is to stop concentrating on your turn.

Saving Throw

Usually a harmful spell allows a target to make a saving throw to avoid some or all of the effect. The Saving Throw entry in a spell description defines which type of saving throw the spell allows and describes how saving throws against the spell work.

Negates: The spell has no effect on a subject that makes a successful saving throw.

Partial: The spell causes an effect on its subject. A successful saving throw means that some lesser effect occurs.

Half: The spell deals damage, and a successful saving throw halves the damage taken (round down).

None: No saving throw is allowed.

Disbelief: A successful save lets the subject ignore the effect.

(object): The spell can be cast on objects, which receive saving throws only if they are magical or if they are attended (held, worn, grasped or the like) by a creature resisting the spell, in which case the object uses the creature’s saving throw bonus unless its own bonus is greater. (This notation does not mean that a spell can be cast only on objects. Some spells of this sort can be cast on creatures or objects.) A magic item’s saving throw bonuses are each equal to 2 + one-half the item’s caster level.

(harmless): The spell is usually beneficial, not harmful, but a targeted creature can attempt a saving throw if it desires.

Saving Throw Difficulty Class: A saving throw against your spell has a DC of 10 + the level of the spell + your bonus for the relevant ability (Intellect for an arcanist, Spirit for a healer or paladin). A spell’s level can vary depending on your class. Always use the spell level applicable to your class.

Succeeding on a Saving Throw: A creature that successfully saves against a spell that has no obvious physical effects feels a hostile force or a tingle, but cannot deduce the exact nature of the attack. Likewise, if a creature’s saving throw succeeds against a targeted spell you sense that the spell has failed. You do not sense when creatures succeed on saves against effect and area spells.

Automatic Failures and Successes: A natural 1 (the d20 comes up 1) on a saving throw is always a failure, and the spell may cause damage to exposed items (see Items Surviving after a Saving Throw, below). A natural 20 (the d20 comes up 20) is always a success.

Voluntarily Giving up a Saving Throw: A creature can voluntarily forego a saving throw and willingly accept a spell’s result. Even a character with a special resistance to magic can suppress this quality.

Items Surviving after a Saving Throw: Unless the descriptive text for the spell specifies otherwise, all items carried or worn by a creature are assumed to survive a magical attack. If a creature rolls a natural 1 on its saving throw against the effect, however, an exposed item is harmed (if the attack can harm objects). Refer to Table 15–2: Items Affected by Magical Attacks. Determine which four objects carried or worn by the creature are most likely to be affected and roll randomly among them. The randomly determined item must make a saving throw against the attack form and take whatever damage the attack deals.

If an item is not carried or worn and is not magical, it does not get a saving throw. It simply is dealt the appropriate damage.

Table 15-2: Items Affected by Magical Attacks

Order		Item
1st		Shield
2nd		Armor
3rd		Magic helmet, hat, or headband
4th		Item in hand (including weapon, and or the like)
5th		Magic cloak
6th		Stowed or sheathed weapon
7th		Magic bracers
8th		Magic clothing
9th		Magic jewelry (including rings)
10th		Anything else

Spell Resistance

Spell resistance is a special defensive ability. If your spell is being resisted by a creature with spell resistance, you must make a caster level check (1d20 + caster level) at least equal to the creature’s spell resistance for the spell to affect that creature. The defender’s spell resistance is like an Armor Class against magical attacks. Include any adjustments to your caster level to this caster level check.

The Spell Resistance entry and the descriptive text of a spell description tell you whether spell resistance protects creatures from the spell. In many cases, spell resistance applies only when a resistant creature is targeted by the spell, not when a resistant creature encounters a spell that is already in place.

The terms “object” and “harmless” mean the same thing for spell resistance as they do for saving throws. A creature with spell resistance must voluntarily lower the resistance (a standard action) in order to be affected by a spell noted as harmless. In such a case, you do not need to make the caster level check described above.

Descriptive Text

This portion of a spell description details what the spell does and how it works. If one of the previous entries in the description included "see text," this is where the explanation is found.