Can an unprepared spell slot be spontaneously converted into a healing spell? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can an unprepared spell slot be spontaneously converted into a healing spell? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
prawn
04-09-08, 01:19 PM Or does the priest have to sit down and pray for the spell?

Thanks!
StevenO
04-09-08, 01:38 PM I understand the question as, "If a cleric prepares a spell slot to be filled later can that slot be spontaneously converted?" I'd say yes, definitely.

Preparing the slot in the first place takes just as long if there is a spell in it or not which means that energy is there to use. Normally you'd need to spend some additional time later focusing that energy into the desired spell but the spontaneous conversion doesn't need that time.
drunkendrake
04-09-08, 01:43 PM Can't clerics only prepare at dusk/dawn/midnight, and only wizards can leave unfilled slots? And archivists, I guess... ehh, maybe I'm just thinking of something else.

-Drake-
StevenO
04-09-08, 02:23 PM The clerics prepare the SLOTS at those times but don't actually have to fill them with spells. They may fill them later just like a wizard and just like a wizard this option is best used for utility spells that don't need to be cast RIGHT NOW.
Dragonsblood
04-09-08, 04:50 PM Can an unprepared spell slot be spontaneously converted into a healing spell?

The SRD says no.

A good cleric (or a cleric of a good deity) can spontaneously cast a cure spell in place of a prepared spell of the same level or higher, but not in place of a domain spell. An evil cleric (or a cleric of an evil deity) can spontaneously cast an inflict spell in place of a prepared spell (one that is not a domain spell) of the same level or higher. Each neutral cleric of a neutral deity either spontaneously casts cure spells like a good cleric or inflict spells like an evil one, depending on which option the player chooses when creating the character. The divine energy of the spell that the cure or inflict spell substitutes for is converted into the cure or inflict spell as if that spell had been prepared all along.

They may fill them later just like a wizard and just like a wizard this option is best used for utility spells that don't need to be cast RIGHT NOW.

Clerics do not prepare spells just like a wizard.

A divine spellcaster selects and prepares spells ahead of time through prayer and meditation at a particular time of day. The time required to prepare spells is the same as it is for a wizard (1 hour), as is the requirement for a relatively peaceful environment. A divine spellcaster does not have to prepare all his spells at once. However, the character’s mind is considered fresh only during his or her first daily spell preparation, so a divine spellcaster cannot fill a slot that is empty because he or she has cast a spell or abandoned a previously prepared spell.

Wizard spell preparation specifically mentions saving slots.

When preparing spells for the day, a wizard can leave some of these spell slots open. Later during that day, she can repeat the preparation process as often as she likes, time and circumstances permitting. During these extra sessions of preparation, the wizard can fill these unused spell slots. She cannot, however, abandon a previously prepared spell to replace it with another one or fill a slot that is empty because she has cast a spell in the meantime. That sort of preparation requires a mind fresh from rest. Like the first session of the day, this preparation takes at least 15 minutes, and it takes longer if the wizard prepares more than one-quarter of her spells.

But it's not an unreasonable houserule.
StevenO
04-09-08, 11:55 PM There is a difference between "Preparing a spell slot" and actually putting a spell into it. As quoted the SRD says "A divine caster does not have to prepare all his spells at once." which implies that slots can be left open to fill later. Don't forget the unhighlighted part of the second sentence that says "cannot fill a slot that is empty because he or she has cast a spell or abandoned a previously prepared spell." as it does NOT exclude the possiblity of leaving a slot prepared but unfilled.
Dragonsblood
04-10-08, 12:06 AM There is a difference between "Preparing a spell slot" and actually putting a spell into it. As quoted the SRD says "A divine caster does not have to prepare all his spells at once." which implies that slots can be left open to fill later. Don't forget the unhighlighted part of the second sentence that says "cannot fill a slot that is empty because he or she has cast a spell or abandoned a previously prepared spell." as it does NOT exclude the possiblity of leaving a slot prepared but unfilled.

The rules do not say that clerics can do that. But you can run your games however you wish.
prawn
04-10-08, 11:57 AM Thanks for the help!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
prawn 04-09-08, 01:19 PM	Or does the priest have to sit down and pray for the spell? Thanks!
StevenO 04-09-08, 01:38 PM	I understand the question as, "If a cleric prepares a spell slot to be filled later can that slot be spontaneously converted?" I'd say yes, definitely. Preparing the slot in the first place takes just as long if there is a spell in it or not which means that energy is there to use. Normally you'd need to spend some additional time later focusing that energy into the desired spell but the spontaneous conversion doesn't need that time.
drunkendrake 04-09-08, 01:43 PM	Can't clerics only prepare at dusk/dawn/midnight, and only wizards can leave unfilled slots? And archivists, I guess... ehh, maybe I'm just thinking of something else. -Drake-
StevenO 04-09-08, 02:23 PM	The clerics prepare the SLOTS at those times but don't actually have to fill them with spells. They may fill them later just like a wizard and just like a wizard this option is best used for utility spells that don't need to be cast RIGHT NOW.
Dragonsblood 04-09-08, 04:50 PM	Can an unprepared spell slot be spontaneously converted into a healing spell? The SRD says no. A good cleric (or a cleric of a good deity) can spontaneously cast a cure spell in place of a prepared spell of the same level or higher, but not in place of a domain spell. An evil cleric (or a cleric of an evil deity) can spontaneously cast an inflict spell in place of a prepared spell (one that is not a domain spell) of the same level or higher. Each neutral cleric of a neutral deity either spontaneously casts cure spells like a good cleric or inflict spells like an evil one, depending on which option the player chooses when creating the character. The divine energy of the spell that the cure or inflict spell substitutes for is converted into the cure or inflict spell as if that spell had been prepared all along. They may fill them later just like a wizard and just like a wizard this option is best used for utility spells that don't need to be cast RIGHT NOW. Clerics do not prepare spells just like a wizard. A divine spellcaster selects and prepares spells ahead of time through prayer and meditation at a particular time of day. The time required to prepare spells is the same as it is for a wizard (1 hour), as is the requirement for a relatively peaceful environment. A divine spellcaster does not have to prepare all his spells at once. However, the character’s mind is considered fresh only during his or her first daily spell preparation, so a divine spellcaster cannot fill a slot that is empty because he or she has cast a spell or abandoned a previously prepared spell. Wizard spell preparation specifically mentions saving slots. When preparing spells for the day, a wizard can leave some of these spell slots open. Later during that day, she can repeat the preparation process as often as she likes, time and circumstances permitting. During these extra sessions of preparation, the wizard can fill these unused spell slots. She cannot, however, abandon a previously prepared spell to replace it with another one or fill a slot that is empty because she has cast a spell in the meantime. That sort of preparation requires a mind fresh from rest. Like the first session of the day, this preparation takes at least 15 minutes, and it takes longer if the wizard prepares more than one-quarter of her spells. But it's not an unreasonable houserule.
StevenO 04-09-08, 11:55 PM	There is a difference between "Preparing a spell slot" and actually putting a spell into it. As quoted the SRD says "A divine caster does not have to prepare all his spells at once." which implies that slots can be left open to fill later. Don't forget the unhighlighted part of the second sentence that says "cannot fill a slot that is empty because he or she has cast a spell or abandoned a previously prepared spell." as it does NOT exclude the possiblity of leaving a slot prepared but unfilled.
Dragonsblood 04-10-08, 12:06 AM	There is a difference between "Preparing a spell slot" and actually putting a spell into it. As quoted the SRD says "A divine caster does not have to prepare all his spells at once." which implies that slots can be left open to fill later. Don't forget the unhighlighted part of the second sentence that says "cannot fill a slot that is empty because he or she has cast a spell or abandoned a previously prepared spell." as it does NOT exclude the possiblity of leaving a slot prepared but unfilled. The rules do not say that clerics can do that. But you can run your games however you wish.
prawn 04-10-08, 11:57 AM	Thanks for the help!