For a 1-action spell, do I need to take a turn to ready the spell before I can cast it, or can I cast it...
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I am still very new to all of D&D 5e's rules.
Let's say I have a wizard that knows fireball; he has the spell prepared and has an available spell slot. Basically, assume ideal for everything.
Do I have to take a turn to "ready" the spell, then cast it the next turn? Or can I cast it right then and there?
dnd-5e spells actions
New contributor
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add a comment |
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I am still very new to all of D&D 5e's rules.
Let's say I have a wizard that knows fireball; he has the spell prepared and has an available spell slot. Basically, assume ideal for everything.
Do I have to take a turn to "ready" the spell, then cast it the next turn? Or can I cast it right then and there?
dnd-5e spells actions
New contributor
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Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already, and check out the help center for more guidance.
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– V2Blast
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I am still very new to all of D&D 5e's rules.
Let's say I have a wizard that knows fireball; he has the spell prepared and has an available spell slot. Basically, assume ideal for everything.
Do I have to take a turn to "ready" the spell, then cast it the next turn? Or can I cast it right then and there?
dnd-5e spells actions
New contributor
$endgroup$
I am still very new to all of D&D 5e's rules.
Let's say I have a wizard that knows fireball; he has the spell prepared and has an available spell slot. Basically, assume ideal for everything.
Do I have to take a turn to "ready" the spell, then cast it the next turn? Or can I cast it right then and there?
dnd-5e spells actions
dnd-5e spells actions
New contributor
New contributor
edited 2 hours ago
V2Blast
23.4k375148
23.4k375148
New contributor
asked 3 hours ago
GabeGabe
313
313
New contributor
New contributor
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Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already, and check out the help center for more guidance.
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– V2Blast
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already, and check out the help center for more guidance.
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– V2Blast
2 hours ago
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Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already, and check out the help center for more guidance.
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– V2Blast
2 hours ago
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Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour if you haven't already, and check out the help center for more guidance.
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– V2Blast
2 hours ago
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2 Answers
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No, preparing the spell is all the readying you need. When you want to cast the spell, you just wait for your turn, and then say that you cast it. Boom, you just fireballed some goblins, who now all have to make Dexterity saving throws. (Hopefully you and/or your DM will describe the action a little better than I have.)
Doing that costs you the spell slot, so you have to mark down on your sheet that you used, for example, a 3rd-level spell slot and you have one fewer of those until you get a long rest. It also costs you “1 action,” which basically means “the one big thing you’re doing this turn,” since you get one action per turn. In addition to your “action,” during your turn you can also move before and/or after acting, and you can manipulate some item (draw, or sheathe, or whatever). You may also have options that require a “bonus action,” which (as the name suggests) can be done in addition to your action, but again, only one of those per turn. Also, you cannot cast any other non-cantrip spell in the same turn as a bonus-action spell.
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@Gabe: You may want to review the rules of spellcasting in chapter 10 of the PHB/basic rules: dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/spellcasting
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
"Also, you can only cast one non-cantrip spell per turn" - This is not accurate. The rule is if you cast a bonus action spell the only other spell you can cast on your turn is a cantrip. For example, I could trigger an Attack of Opportunity, use my reaction to cast Shield if the enemy hits me, and then use an Action to cast another spell. So long as I don't use a bonus action spell, I'm not limited in how many spells I can cast. If I was multi-classed Fighter, I could also action surge and cast a 2nd action spell.
$endgroup$
– Lino Frank Ciaralli
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@LinoFrankCiaralli OK, sure, in that contrived case you could cast two non-cantrip spells. And I suppose if there is a bonus-action cantrip, you’d get to cast zero non-cantrip spells (barring a contrived reaction). I’ll fix it.
$endgroup$
– KRyan
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Just to be pedantic/thorough: "And I suppose if there is a bonus-action cantrip, you’d get to cast zero non-cantrip spells (barring a contrived reaction)." - Reactions can happen on your turn, too (e.g. moving away from an enemy and casting Shield to make the opportunity attack miss, or Counterspelling an enemy's Counterspell)... So if you cast any bonus action spell, you can't cast any reaction spell on that same turn either.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
44 mins ago
$begingroup$
@V2Blast Such a weird and arbitrary rule...
$endgroup$
– KRyan
37 mins ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
You are able to cast it then and there, assuming all conditions have been met (can speak, move at least one hand, and have bat guano & sulfur or an arcane focus). As it has a casting cost of one action, you need only recite the chant, make the required movements, and spend the material (or get an arcane focus and safe on a lot of time). The spell will then be activated.
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add a comment |
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2 Answers
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No, preparing the spell is all the readying you need. When you want to cast the spell, you just wait for your turn, and then say that you cast it. Boom, you just fireballed some goblins, who now all have to make Dexterity saving throws. (Hopefully you and/or your DM will describe the action a little better than I have.)
Doing that costs you the spell slot, so you have to mark down on your sheet that you used, for example, a 3rd-level spell slot and you have one fewer of those until you get a long rest. It also costs you “1 action,” which basically means “the one big thing you’re doing this turn,” since you get one action per turn. In addition to your “action,” during your turn you can also move before and/or after acting, and you can manipulate some item (draw, or sheathe, or whatever). You may also have options that require a “bonus action,” which (as the name suggests) can be done in addition to your action, but again, only one of those per turn. Also, you cannot cast any other non-cantrip spell in the same turn as a bonus-action spell.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
@Gabe: You may want to review the rules of spellcasting in chapter 10 of the PHB/basic rules: dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/spellcasting
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
"Also, you can only cast one non-cantrip spell per turn" - This is not accurate. The rule is if you cast a bonus action spell the only other spell you can cast on your turn is a cantrip. For example, I could trigger an Attack of Opportunity, use my reaction to cast Shield if the enemy hits me, and then use an Action to cast another spell. So long as I don't use a bonus action spell, I'm not limited in how many spells I can cast. If I was multi-classed Fighter, I could also action surge and cast a 2nd action spell.
$endgroup$
– Lino Frank Ciaralli
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@LinoFrankCiaralli OK, sure, in that contrived case you could cast two non-cantrip spells. And I suppose if there is a bonus-action cantrip, you’d get to cast zero non-cantrip spells (barring a contrived reaction). I’ll fix it.
$endgroup$
– KRyan
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Just to be pedantic/thorough: "And I suppose if there is a bonus-action cantrip, you’d get to cast zero non-cantrip spells (barring a contrived reaction)." - Reactions can happen on your turn, too (e.g. moving away from an enemy and casting Shield to make the opportunity attack miss, or Counterspelling an enemy's Counterspell)... So if you cast any bonus action spell, you can't cast any reaction spell on that same turn either.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
44 mins ago
$begingroup$
@V2Blast Such a weird and arbitrary rule...
$endgroup$
– KRyan
37 mins ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
No, preparing the spell is all the readying you need. When you want to cast the spell, you just wait for your turn, and then say that you cast it. Boom, you just fireballed some goblins, who now all have to make Dexterity saving throws. (Hopefully you and/or your DM will describe the action a little better than I have.)
Doing that costs you the spell slot, so you have to mark down on your sheet that you used, for example, a 3rd-level spell slot and you have one fewer of those until you get a long rest. It also costs you “1 action,” which basically means “the one big thing you’re doing this turn,” since you get one action per turn. In addition to your “action,” during your turn you can also move before and/or after acting, and you can manipulate some item (draw, or sheathe, or whatever). You may also have options that require a “bonus action,” which (as the name suggests) can be done in addition to your action, but again, only one of those per turn. Also, you cannot cast any other non-cantrip spell in the same turn as a bonus-action spell.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
@Gabe: You may want to review the rules of spellcasting in chapter 10 of the PHB/basic rules: dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/spellcasting
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
"Also, you can only cast one non-cantrip spell per turn" - This is not accurate. The rule is if you cast a bonus action spell the only other spell you can cast on your turn is a cantrip. For example, I could trigger an Attack of Opportunity, use my reaction to cast Shield if the enemy hits me, and then use an Action to cast another spell. So long as I don't use a bonus action spell, I'm not limited in how many spells I can cast. If I was multi-classed Fighter, I could also action surge and cast a 2nd action spell.
$endgroup$
– Lino Frank Ciaralli
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@LinoFrankCiaralli OK, sure, in that contrived case you could cast two non-cantrip spells. And I suppose if there is a bonus-action cantrip, you’d get to cast zero non-cantrip spells (barring a contrived reaction). I’ll fix it.
$endgroup$
– KRyan
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Just to be pedantic/thorough: "And I suppose if there is a bonus-action cantrip, you’d get to cast zero non-cantrip spells (barring a contrived reaction)." - Reactions can happen on your turn, too (e.g. moving away from an enemy and casting Shield to make the opportunity attack miss, or Counterspelling an enemy's Counterspell)... So if you cast any bonus action spell, you can't cast any reaction spell on that same turn either.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
44 mins ago
$begingroup$
@V2Blast Such a weird and arbitrary rule...
$endgroup$
– KRyan
37 mins ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
No, preparing the spell is all the readying you need. When you want to cast the spell, you just wait for your turn, and then say that you cast it. Boom, you just fireballed some goblins, who now all have to make Dexterity saving throws. (Hopefully you and/or your DM will describe the action a little better than I have.)
Doing that costs you the spell slot, so you have to mark down on your sheet that you used, for example, a 3rd-level spell slot and you have one fewer of those until you get a long rest. It also costs you “1 action,” which basically means “the one big thing you’re doing this turn,” since you get one action per turn. In addition to your “action,” during your turn you can also move before and/or after acting, and you can manipulate some item (draw, or sheathe, or whatever). You may also have options that require a “bonus action,” which (as the name suggests) can be done in addition to your action, but again, only one of those per turn. Also, you cannot cast any other non-cantrip spell in the same turn as a bonus-action spell.
$endgroup$
No, preparing the spell is all the readying you need. When you want to cast the spell, you just wait for your turn, and then say that you cast it. Boom, you just fireballed some goblins, who now all have to make Dexterity saving throws. (Hopefully you and/or your DM will describe the action a little better than I have.)
Doing that costs you the spell slot, so you have to mark down on your sheet that you used, for example, a 3rd-level spell slot and you have one fewer of those until you get a long rest. It also costs you “1 action,” which basically means “the one big thing you’re doing this turn,” since you get one action per turn. In addition to your “action,” during your turn you can also move before and/or after acting, and you can manipulate some item (draw, or sheathe, or whatever). You may also have options that require a “bonus action,” which (as the name suggests) can be done in addition to your action, but again, only one of those per turn. Also, you cannot cast any other non-cantrip spell in the same turn as a bonus-action spell.
edited 32 mins ago
answered 3 hours ago
KRyanKRyan
223k30555956
223k30555956
$begingroup$
@Gabe: You may want to review the rules of spellcasting in chapter 10 of the PHB/basic rules: dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/spellcasting
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
"Also, you can only cast one non-cantrip spell per turn" - This is not accurate. The rule is if you cast a bonus action spell the only other spell you can cast on your turn is a cantrip. For example, I could trigger an Attack of Opportunity, use my reaction to cast Shield if the enemy hits me, and then use an Action to cast another spell. So long as I don't use a bonus action spell, I'm not limited in how many spells I can cast. If I was multi-classed Fighter, I could also action surge and cast a 2nd action spell.
$endgroup$
– Lino Frank Ciaralli
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@LinoFrankCiaralli OK, sure, in that contrived case you could cast two non-cantrip spells. And I suppose if there is a bonus-action cantrip, you’d get to cast zero non-cantrip spells (barring a contrived reaction). I’ll fix it.
$endgroup$
– KRyan
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Just to be pedantic/thorough: "And I suppose if there is a bonus-action cantrip, you’d get to cast zero non-cantrip spells (barring a contrived reaction)." - Reactions can happen on your turn, too (e.g. moving away from an enemy and casting Shield to make the opportunity attack miss, or Counterspelling an enemy's Counterspell)... So if you cast any bonus action spell, you can't cast any reaction spell on that same turn either.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
44 mins ago
$begingroup$
@V2Blast Such a weird and arbitrary rule...
$endgroup$
– KRyan
37 mins ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
@Gabe: You may want to review the rules of spellcasting in chapter 10 of the PHB/basic rules: dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/spellcasting
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
"Also, you can only cast one non-cantrip spell per turn" - This is not accurate. The rule is if you cast a bonus action spell the only other spell you can cast on your turn is a cantrip. For example, I could trigger an Attack of Opportunity, use my reaction to cast Shield if the enemy hits me, and then use an Action to cast another spell. So long as I don't use a bonus action spell, I'm not limited in how many spells I can cast. If I was multi-classed Fighter, I could also action surge and cast a 2nd action spell.
$endgroup$
– Lino Frank Ciaralli
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
@LinoFrankCiaralli OK, sure, in that contrived case you could cast two non-cantrip spells. And I suppose if there is a bonus-action cantrip, you’d get to cast zero non-cantrip spells (barring a contrived reaction). I’ll fix it.
$endgroup$
– KRyan
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Just to be pedantic/thorough: "And I suppose if there is a bonus-action cantrip, you’d get to cast zero non-cantrip spells (barring a contrived reaction)." - Reactions can happen on your turn, too (e.g. moving away from an enemy and casting Shield to make the opportunity attack miss, or Counterspelling an enemy's Counterspell)... So if you cast any bonus action spell, you can't cast any reaction spell on that same turn either.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
44 mins ago
$begingroup$
@V2Blast Such a weird and arbitrary rule...
$endgroup$
– KRyan
37 mins ago
$begingroup$
@Gabe: You may want to review the rules of spellcasting in chapter 10 of the PHB/basic rules: dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/spellcasting
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Gabe: You may want to review the rules of spellcasting in chapter 10 of the PHB/basic rules: dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/spellcasting
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
2 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
"Also, you can only cast one non-cantrip spell per turn" - This is not accurate. The rule is if you cast a bonus action spell the only other spell you can cast on your turn is a cantrip. For example, I could trigger an Attack of Opportunity, use my reaction to cast Shield if the enemy hits me, and then use an Action to cast another spell. So long as I don't use a bonus action spell, I'm not limited in how many spells I can cast. If I was multi-classed Fighter, I could also action surge and cast a 2nd action spell.
$endgroup$
– Lino Frank Ciaralli
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
"Also, you can only cast one non-cantrip spell per turn" - This is not accurate. The rule is if you cast a bonus action spell the only other spell you can cast on your turn is a cantrip. For example, I could trigger an Attack of Opportunity, use my reaction to cast Shield if the enemy hits me, and then use an Action to cast another spell. So long as I don't use a bonus action spell, I'm not limited in how many spells I can cast. If I was multi-classed Fighter, I could also action surge and cast a 2nd action spell.
$endgroup$
– Lino Frank Ciaralli
2 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
@LinoFrankCiaralli OK, sure, in that contrived case you could cast two non-cantrip spells. And I suppose if there is a bonus-action cantrip, you’d get to cast zero non-cantrip spells (barring a contrived reaction). I’ll fix it.
$endgroup$
– KRyan
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@LinoFrankCiaralli OK, sure, in that contrived case you could cast two non-cantrip spells. And I suppose if there is a bonus-action cantrip, you’d get to cast zero non-cantrip spells (barring a contrived reaction). I’ll fix it.
$endgroup$
– KRyan
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Just to be pedantic/thorough: "And I suppose if there is a bonus-action cantrip, you’d get to cast zero non-cantrip spells (barring a contrived reaction)." - Reactions can happen on your turn, too (e.g. moving away from an enemy and casting Shield to make the opportunity attack miss, or Counterspelling an enemy's Counterspell)... So if you cast any bonus action spell, you can't cast any reaction spell on that same turn either.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
44 mins ago
$begingroup$
Just to be pedantic/thorough: "And I suppose if there is a bonus-action cantrip, you’d get to cast zero non-cantrip spells (barring a contrived reaction)." - Reactions can happen on your turn, too (e.g. moving away from an enemy and casting Shield to make the opportunity attack miss, or Counterspelling an enemy's Counterspell)... So if you cast any bonus action spell, you can't cast any reaction spell on that same turn either.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
44 mins ago
$begingroup$
@V2Blast Such a weird and arbitrary rule...
$endgroup$
– KRyan
37 mins ago
$begingroup$
@V2Blast Such a weird and arbitrary rule...
$endgroup$
– KRyan
37 mins ago
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
You are able to cast it then and there, assuming all conditions have been met (can speak, move at least one hand, and have bat guano & sulfur or an arcane focus). As it has a casting cost of one action, you need only recite the chant, make the required movements, and spend the material (or get an arcane focus and safe on a lot of time). The spell will then be activated.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You are able to cast it then and there, assuming all conditions have been met (can speak, move at least one hand, and have bat guano & sulfur or an arcane focus). As it has a casting cost of one action, you need only recite the chant, make the required movements, and spend the material (or get an arcane focus and safe on a lot of time). The spell will then be activated.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You are able to cast it then and there, assuming all conditions have been met (can speak, move at least one hand, and have bat guano & sulfur or an arcane focus). As it has a casting cost of one action, you need only recite the chant, make the required movements, and spend the material (or get an arcane focus and safe on a lot of time). The spell will then be activated.
$endgroup$
You are able to cast it then and there, assuming all conditions have been met (can speak, move at least one hand, and have bat guano & sulfur or an arcane focus). As it has a casting cost of one action, you need only recite the chant, make the required movements, and spend the material (or get an arcane focus and safe on a lot of time). The spell will then be activated.
edited 2 hours ago
V2Blast
23.4k375148
23.4k375148
answered 3 hours ago
Bear monkBear monk
511
511
add a comment |
add a comment |
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