Casting straight from a Wizard Spellbook [Archive] - Wizards Community

Casting straight from a Wizard Spellbook [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
PsychicKid
02-10-07, 11:01 AM Is there anyway to cast a spell directly from your Wizard spellbook without having to memorize it in the morning? This would cause problems in battle no doubt, but let's say you have all of your spells prepared in the morning, and later in the day, a massive blizzard hits and the temperature drops past sub-zero. If the Wizard had Endure Elements written in his spellbook and he could he he find a warm spot to concentrate, would he be able to cast it straight from his spellbook even though he has already prepared all of his spells? Would he have to get rid of one of his 1st level spells to compensate?

Gonna make a wizard today so I'll need some input. Thanks. :D
Mentar
02-10-07, 11:12 AM In 2nd edition and earlier it was possible, of course the spell would be removed from the spell book, just as if you had used a scroll.
In 3.0 and later this ability was removed as later portions of 2nd edition started adding problems for spells cast from spellbooks, some of which would simply erase the spell while others could destroy the entire spellbook.

According to the newest rules you can leave spell slots blank and fill them as needed, requiring between 10 minutes and 1 hour to memorize the spell, depending on how many spells per day you have. Because of the wording, swapping out a spell already memorized could either take 8 hours of rest and 1 hour of study, or it could just take the 1 hour of study. Ask your DM for clarification.
PsychicKid
02-10-07, 11:29 AM All that time? Not worth it. I was hoping I would be able to just pop open the book, spend the entire cast time on it, and cast it while giving up one of my first levels, and be on my way. It does sound a bit over-powered, making them like Sorcerers, but I wanna see a wizard pull his spellbook out and successfully use it while 50 orcs zerg rush the city gates.
Mentar
02-10-07, 12:04 PM My recommendation is to start making scrolls at level 1 thus you can begin making a copy of your spell book in scroll form for just such occasions.
Level 1 scrolls will require 1XP and 12.5gp to craft.
Another thought is to ask your DM if you can buy scrolls as part of your starting equipment. Prices for many scrolls (by spell) are listed in the DMG.
Seeker95
02-10-07, 12:07 PM I wanna see a wizard pull his spellbook out and successfully use it while 50 orcs zerg rush the city gates.Use Craft Wand or Craft Staff, only make the item in the form of a book. Each page represents a different spell (for a staff). Gives the flavor you are describing, without the power-abuse associated with your original proposal.
Salla
02-10-07, 01:46 PM This may well be why Wizards get Scribe Scroll as a 1st level bonus feat. :)
runestar
02-10-07, 10:05 PM The only reservation I have is the cost disparity.
It costs spell lv * 100gp to copy a spell into a spellbook(or free, if you are using a blessed book).
A scroll of equivalent lv costs spell lv * caster lv * 25gp.

Someone see the problem?;)
TacoTornado
02-11-07, 07:43 AM There's a feat that lets you keep a spell slot open for the sole purpose of using it to cast any spell you know (in your case, from your wizard's spellbook) up to the level of the open slot once a day as a full round action. It is called Alacritous Cognitation, and it is on page 37 of PH2. It doesn't "require" you to whip out the book, but you certainly could for flavor (and since it is a full round action, a DM might allow you to pull out the book as part of the action) . I will again note that it is only usable once a day, since on-the-fly casting makes the wizard almost too versatile.

I hope this helps.
NerdNumber1
02-11-07, 12:49 PM The closest thing besides making magical items is the shades line of spells. One slot could become dozens of spells, including ones that wizards can't even learn. Still, this is why you scribe back-up scrolls. Get a quiver with a latching top and color coded tabs for your scrolls so you can fling out the right scroll at a moments notice (a handy haversack will also work). Spontanious casting is for sorcerers, don't take their specialty away from them.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
PsychicKid 02-10-07, 11:01 AM	Is there anyway to cast a spell directly from your Wizard spellbook without having to memorize it in the morning? This would cause problems in battle no doubt, but let's say you have all of your spells prepared in the morning, and later in the day, a massive blizzard hits and the temperature drops past sub-zero. If the Wizard had Endure Elements written in his spellbook and he could he he find a warm spot to concentrate, would he be able to cast it straight from his spellbook even though he has already prepared all of his spells? Would he have to get rid of one of his 1st level spells to compensate? Gonna make a wizard today so I'll need some input. Thanks. :D
Mentar 02-10-07, 11:12 AM	In 2nd edition and earlier it was possible, of course the spell would be removed from the spell book, just as if you had used a scroll. In 3.0 and later this ability was removed as later portions of 2nd edition started adding problems for spells cast from spellbooks, some of which would simply erase the spell while others could destroy the entire spellbook. According to the newest rules you can leave spell slots blank and fill them as needed, requiring between 10 minutes and 1 hour to memorize the spell, depending on how many spells per day you have. Because of the wording, swapping out a spell already memorized could either take 8 hours of rest and 1 hour of study, or it could just take the 1 hour of study. Ask your DM for clarification.
PsychicKid 02-10-07, 11:29 AM	All that time? Not worth it. I was hoping I would be able to just pop open the book, spend the entire cast time on it, and cast it while giving up one of my first levels, and be on my way. It does sound a bit over-powered, making them like Sorcerers, but I wanna see a wizard pull his spellbook out and successfully use it while 50 orcs zerg rush the city gates.
Mentar 02-10-07, 12:04 PM	My recommendation is to start making scrolls at level 1 thus you can begin making a copy of your spell book in scroll form for just such occasions. Level 1 scrolls will require 1XP and 12.5gp to craft. Another thought is to ask your DM if you can buy scrolls as part of your starting equipment. Prices for many scrolls (by spell) are listed in the DMG.
Seeker95 02-10-07, 12:07 PM	I wanna see a wizard pull his spellbook out and successfully use it while 50 orcs zerg rush the city gates.Use Craft Wand or Craft Staff, only make the item in the form of a book. Each page represents a different spell (for a staff). Gives the flavor you are describing, without the power-abuse associated with your original proposal.
Salla 02-10-07, 01:46 PM	This may well be why Wizards get Scribe Scroll as a 1st level bonus feat. :)
runestar 02-10-07, 10:05 PM	The only reservation I have is the cost disparity. It costs spell lv * 100gp to copy a spell into a spellbook(or free, if you are using a blessed book). A scroll of equivalent lv costs spell lv * caster lv * 25gp. Someone see the problem?;)
TacoTornado 02-11-07, 07:43 AM	There's a feat that lets you keep a spell slot open for the sole purpose of using it to cast any spell you know (in your case, from your wizard's spellbook) up to the level of the open slot once a day as a full round action. It is called Alacritous Cognitation, and it is on page 37 of PH2. It doesn't "require" you to whip out the book, but you certainly could for flavor (and since it is a full round action, a DM might allow you to pull out the book as part of the action) . I will again note that it is only usable once a day, since on-the-fly casting makes the wizard almost too versatile. I hope this helps.
NerdNumber1 02-11-07, 12:49 PM	The closest thing besides making magical items is the shades line of spells. One slot could become dozens of spells, including ones that wizards can't even learn. Still, this is why you scribe back-up scrolls. Get a quiver with a latching top and color coded tabs for your scrolls so you can fling out the right scroll at a moments notice (a handy haversack will also work). Spontanious casting is for sorcerers, don't take their specialty away from them.