How Many Spells In A Spellbook? [Archive] - Wizards Community

How Many Spells In A Spellbook? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
wrecan
01-08-06, 12:51 PM This is sort of a sequel to the "Too Expensive To Be A Wizard" thread I started recently on the DMs' Board.

The question is, how many spells of each spell level should a typical 9th level wizard have in his spell book? Let's assume he starts with a 17 Int. At that rate, by 9th level, he would have all zero-level spells, 8 free 1st level spells, 4 free 2nd level spells, 4 free 3rd level spells and 2 free 5th level spells.

How many total spells of each spell level should be in his book for him to be an effective member of a typical 4-PC (Fighter, Rogue, Cleric, Wizard) adventuring party of ninthe level?

If your answer differs on whether he is a specialist or not, explain how.

Thanks!!
Sgt_Slaughter943
01-08-06, 01:20 PM im not really sure on the pages but i think its 100 but each lvl spell takes up the amount of pages it has in a lvl.ex wish is 9th lvl so it would take up 9 pages but it is really confusing for the player and DM alike to keep track of the pages per spell ratio so basically there is no point to this post.but you asked so oh well
^Graff_EpsilonIX
01-08-06, 01:47 PM I once saw something in some book that it said something about 3d4 spells per level in an average spellbook. Maybe you could take that number into account. Personally I think it's up to the DM and should factor the number of spells per day and number of spells known.
Afarian
01-08-06, 01:48 PM IMO, this is one of those things that as minute and irrelevant as keeping track of insignificant spell components.

Pretty assume someone with an IQ of 17 is smart enough to spend a few silver or copper to get the nessecary items including an extra spellbook here and there.

The only example of a time it might be important would be if one of his spellbooks gets stolen or destroyed in some way. Then I might have him pick 1/2 his spells or whatever portion you would have per spellbook and lose that many.

Either way, I wouldn't worry too much about it unless there is an immediate situtation in which you deem the knowledge important
wrecan
01-08-06, 02:14 PM Pretty assume someone with an IQ of 17 is smart enough to spend a few silver or copper to get the nessecary items including an extra spellbook here and there.

The cost is actually 100 gp per spell per spell level. The cost of copying only your zero-level spells is 3,000 gp! With that money I could get a +2 ring of protection. That's not a "few silver or copper" by any stretch.

So please don't be condescending (ala "somewone with an IQ of 17 is smart enough..."). Someone with an IQ of 17 should probably know the rules about the cost of scribing spells into a spellbook.
Bob Loblaw
01-08-06, 02:51 PM I think that this is an answer that doesn't really exist. I have played wizards who don't have any more than their minimum number of spells and I have played wizards who purchase a ton of spells. It all depends on what I am trying to accomplish with the character.

I think that a wizard who uses more metamagic is more likely to have tons more spells than one who creates items since you can use scrolls to create the items. Of course, I would simply learn the spell and then make the item. I know it would cost more, but I like being able to cast the spell if necessary.

As to the cost of scribing the spells into your spellbook, your costs are a little off.

0-level Spells: 0gp, 19 Spells, 19 pages
1st-Level Spells: 0gp, 8 Spells, 8 pages (27 total)
2nd-level Spells: 0gp, 4 Spells, 8 pages (35 total)
3rd-Level Spells: 0gp, 4 Spells, 12 pages (47 total)
4th-Level Spells: 0gp, 4 Spells, 16 pages (63 total) [you forgot to mention his 4th level spells]
5th-Level Spells: 0gp, 2 Spells, 10 pages (73 total).

This has cost him exactly 0 gp. The original cost of the book was also 0gp since he starts play with it. It also costs him no time. These are all free.

Adding any additional spells will change the cost however. To fill the rest of the book it would cost 2700gp. This is within the budget of a 9th level wizard. He could, of course, choose to not add any more spells until he gets his two free next level. In this case, his book retains its value without costing him a single copper.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
wrecan 01-08-06, 12:51 PM	This is sort of a sequel to the "Too Expensive To Be A Wizard" thread I started recently on the DMs' Board. The question is, how many spells of each spell level should a typical 9th level wizard have in his spell book? Let's assume he starts with a 17 Int. At that rate, by 9th level, he would have all zero-level spells, 8 free 1st level spells, 4 free 2nd level spells, 4 free 3rd level spells and 2 free 5th level spells. How many total spells of each spell level should be in his book for him to be an effective member of a typical 4-PC (Fighter, Rogue, Cleric, Wizard) adventuring party of ninthe level? If your answer differs on whether he is a specialist or not, explain how. Thanks!!
Sgt_Slaughter943 01-08-06, 01:20 PM	im not really sure on the pages but i think its 100 but each lvl spell takes up the amount of pages it has in a lvl.ex wish is 9th lvl so it would take up 9 pages but it is really confusing for the player and DM alike to keep track of the pages per spell ratio so basically there is no point to this post.but you asked so oh well
^Graff_EpsilonIX 01-08-06, 01:47 PM	I once saw something in some book that it said something about 3d4 spells per level in an average spellbook. Maybe you could take that number into account. Personally I think it's up to the DM and should factor the number of spells per day and number of spells known.
Afarian 01-08-06, 01:48 PM	IMO, this is one of those things that as minute and irrelevant as keeping track of insignificant spell components. Pretty assume someone with an IQ of 17 is smart enough to spend a few silver or copper to get the nessecary items including an extra spellbook here and there. The only example of a time it might be important would be if one of his spellbooks gets stolen or destroyed in some way. Then I might have him pick 1/2 his spells or whatever portion you would have per spellbook and lose that many. Either way, I wouldn't worry too much about it unless there is an immediate situtation in which you deem the knowledge important
wrecan 01-08-06, 02:14 PM	Pretty assume someone with an IQ of 17 is smart enough to spend a few silver or copper to get the nessecary items including an extra spellbook here and there. The cost is actually 100 gp per spell per spell level. The cost of copying only your zero-level spells is 3,000 gp! With that money I could get a +2 ring of protection. That's not a "few silver or copper" by any stretch. So please don't be condescending (ala "somewone with an IQ of 17 is smart enough..."). Someone with an IQ of 17 should probably know the rules about the cost of scribing spells into a spellbook.
Bob Loblaw 01-08-06, 02:51 PM	I think that this is an answer that doesn't really exist. I have played wizards who don't have any more than their minimum number of spells and I have played wizards who purchase a ton of spells. It all depends on what I am trying to accomplish with the character. I think that a wizard who uses more metamagic is more likely to have tons more spells than one who creates items since you can use scrolls to create the items. Of course, I would simply learn the spell and then make the item. I know it would cost more, but I like being able to cast the spell if necessary. As to the cost of scribing the spells into your spellbook, your costs are a little off. 0-level Spells: 0gp, 19 Spells, 19 pages 1st-Level Spells: 0gp, 8 Spells, 8 pages (27 total) 2nd-level Spells: 0gp, 4 Spells, 8 pages (35 total) 3rd-Level Spells: 0gp, 4 Spells, 12 pages (47 total) 4th-Level Spells: 0gp, 4 Spells, 16 pages (63 total) [you forgot to mention his 4th level spells] 5th-Level Spells: 0gp, 2 Spells, 10 pages (73 total). This has cost him exactly 0 gp. The original cost of the book was also 0gp since he starts play with it. It also costs him no time. These are all free. Adding any additional spells will change the cost however. To fill the rest of the book it would cost 2700gp. This is within the budget of a 9th level wizard. He could, of course, choose to not add any more spells until he gets his two free next level. In this case, his book retains its value without costing him a single copper.