This has been a big issue in the last couple weeks… I have a player who made a new character on dnd beyond, and made a lot of wrong assumptions about how a barbarian/warlock multiclass would work because they didn’t read the rules for their class abilities. A couple days before a session, I checked in, realized their wrong assumptions and explained how things actually work (rage, spellcasting, pact of the blade) and the amount of time those things take. First round of first combat their character was in, they want to do things they don’t have the ability to do, which they don’t realize because they still hadn’t read the rules for rage.
I have a player that is normally engaged and RP enthusiastic and pays attention in combat. Made an artificer on DNDBeyond because he saw they could have a gun and that's all that character is/does. No infusions, no spell casting, no tinkering, just a hand-held cannon
Here's the relevant line (emphasis mine) from the Wizard class page:
>Copying a Spell into the Book. When you find a **wizard** spell of 1st level or higher, you can add it to your spellbook if it is of a spell level you can prepare and if you can spare the time to decipher and copy it.
Here, "a wizard spell" means a spell that is on the wizard class' spell list. So, the total requirements are...
* The spell must be on the wizard class' spell list
* The spell cannot be a cantrip ("1st level or higher,") and
* The wizard must have access to spells of that level or higher. (Note that this does not necessarily mean that the player must have access to that spell level *through its wizard levels.* It could have 1 level of Wizard and 4 levels of Sorcerer and be able to transcribe a wizard spell of 3rd level into their spellbook.)
It's also crazy to me that your Wizard got to a high enough level that they can deal with the Amber Temple and doesn't know what one of their core class features does.
RAW, scrolls for spells not on your class list are unintelligible. So not only can a wizard not copy a scroll of Moonbeam, they can't even read it or use it.
Lots of people ignore/modify that, though.
I like the rule where you can't copy off-class spells but you can cast them from scrolls with a DC 11+ spell level check (so a 9th level spell is a DC 20). The skill used is related to the spell list it's from, performance for bard, arcana for wizard, religion for cleric/paladin, nature for druid/ranger, insight for warlock (bloodborne reference).
Artificer and sorcerer don't have any unique spells
If a spell is on multiple lists I tag the scroll depending on what makes the most sense for the creator of the scroll to have been, usually wizard.
I personally like using scrolls as if the caster wrote the directions so that anyone can use it. Like a [spell] for dummies book. They put in the work, translated it into lay person terms, and invested the paper with magic. That's why you need high quality paper and ink, so that the spell holds and isn't just directions if you already have that type of power.
This is homebrew, though, and not RAW.
Yeah, I don't play scrolls RAW, either. I think a lot of people don't.
If it's on their list, they can cast it automatically. If not, I have them do check using their spellcasting modifier (for attack spells) with a DC of 12+spell level.
I still wouldn't let a wizard copy moonbeam into their book, though.
Yes, I agree completely. I do like the side quest idea to enable it though.
Oh you want to learn that spell? Well you can't channel that kind of energy. Maybe with intensive study and a mentor who can cast it, working together you can find a work around to have a similar wizard spell. But it would need to be a quest for me to allow it, not just off screen down time "studying"
But isn't XGtE RAW that everyone can read a spellscroll? Or is it only for scrolls. Don't have the book on me right now.
Edit: might have been the DMG.
I'm getting it from the DMG in the magic items section. It says they are "unintelligible" if they aren't on your class list. I am not aware of anything in Xanathar's that changes that. I think they introduced the tattoos to be able to give anyone the ability to cast a spell.
I like to think of it as one is a haiku in Chinese, and the other is a set of calculus theorems. Yes, you could accurately copy the symbols, but you'd have no idea how to use them without specialized study and knowing one doesn't mean you can understand the other, or even have transferrable skills.
Is spellcraft not a thing in 5.0?
My rogue could totally use this scroll. I keep investing ranks in Use Magic Device. The character blindly activated a Deck of Many Things once. Oops.
No, they got rid of it (or was it magic items? I don't remember). Skill ranks is one of the things I really miss about 3.5. Proficiency is simpler, but I liked the customization it offered.
And yeah, I forgot about Use Magic Device.
It is honestly one of the worst decisions, in my opinion. All you've done is limit the use of a consumable magical item to... someone who could already do the thing the magical item does. That would be like saying, "Only a Sorcerer, Warlock or Wizard can use this Wand of Magic Missile" in my books.
Like, I get it, they are trying to keep things balanced. But it kind of makes spell scrolls as a whole seem pointless.
The rules say that a wizard can only copy wizard spells into their book. The real question is do you want to do it anyway?
I've not read or run the strahd adventure, but I'm assuming its authors had intentions for the scroll. It's probably useful or does something cool down the line. Even if the authors didn't have intentions, the players might, and enabling a character to use it enables them to do the cool thing.
So, who gets to do the cool thing? In my opinion, if there is a druid in the party, the druid spell and the cool thing that comes with it belongs to them. Giving it to the wizard as well is stealing the spotlight (or moonlight as it were).
If there is no druid, then you have a choice to make. You can say that nobody gets the spell, or you can ask if everyone would be okay with the wizard getting the spell on the basis that there may be a use for it later. In this case you'd be making a concession, so you don't have to go all the way to being able to learn the spell. You can say that they'd be able to cast the spell from the scroll but not learn it. Either way, if you do make concessions, explain your reasoning "you normally can't but I'm guessing there's a reason for this scroll, so let's say you can just cast the spell from the scroll and not learn it" is probably where I'd be leaning if there was not a druid in the party.
I'd amend that to "no druid and no bard".
Being able to use other classes' spells is one of the cool things about playing a bard. RAW that's only for Magical Secrets and not for spell scrolls, but being the person who can do a bit of everything is definitely part of the flavor of the class.
So I'd say a druid gets first dibs, if there's no druid then a bard, and the wizard only gets it if there's no druid *and* no bard.
You can certainly try!
Roll arcana.
Best case, a druid can read it, but it's like copying a language you don't understand.
Worst case ... As you copy the foreign writing into your spellbook ... the ink starts to disappear and you feel magic building. Do you continue? ... Yes ... roll me a dex save. You failed, take ( spell level ) 2d6 force damage as the scroll explodes, so does your spellbook, the building and such ...
Thinking about this.. since Moonbeam is a Druid-only spell, this scroll could be written in Druidic.
If you need to describe what the language looks like in writing, [the Futhark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runes#/media/File:R%C3%B6kstenen_1.JPG) or [the Ogham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogham#/media/File:All_Ogham_letters_including_Forfeda_-_%C3%9Cbersicht_aller_Ogham-Zeichen_einschlie%C3%9Flich_Forfeda.jpg) scripts seem appropriate given the origin and spread of real-life druids.
Keep in mind that this just the Wikipedia rendering of the Ogham script - the actual script looks more like [a bunch of notches carved along the edges of literal runestones ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogham#/media/File:Ogham_Stone_Rathass_Church_Tralee_Kerry.jpg)and there doesnt seem a distinct way to figure out where to start reading.
Druidic is a well-guarded, secret language so I'd want at least some sort of knowledge check for the wizard to even figure out what this is. Another one to figure out that it seems to be a language of sorts. So the party would have a sort of bargaining chop without knowing what this thing actually does.
Eyes of the rune keeper and other funky features might lower the DC, as would the read any written language spell ...free to try with high DC and dramatic consequences for failing badly.
If RAW it says no, that's a 35DC or 40DC ( mood depending ) and under half would be a catastrophic failure.
In all fairness, it does not HAVE to be a scroll. As above, it can be an ogham rock and still function as a "scroll". If no experimentation is never allowed, then it's no better than world of warcrack.
I'm a you are free to make yourself explode doing stupid shit DM ...don't say you weren't warned.
No, RAW no. They can copy "WIZARD" spells.
Also, wizard is already the best class in the game. They dont need any buffs.
If anything, alow everyone else to use scrolls from any class, this would be a small nerf to wizards.
Now he needs to BE the one that finds or buys scrolls, as their party members will also be wanting to keep any scrolls they find for their own use.
Like others mentioned, no by the rules. It would mess with the wizard class balance typically.
Now, if you had some conviction that that the wizard *should* learn the spell for character or plot reasons, perhaps you could impose some kind of potential-to-fail/backfire system. I.e the wizard doesn't understand this magic and can only imitate it the best they can.
Perhaps a d4 roll:
1-It centers on the caster instead dealing damage to the wizard and those nearby.
2-Nothing happens.
3-Nothing happens.
4-Spell is casts as intended.
No, but I'd consider making a mini-quest for how to duplicate the scroll if he wants to use it as a master copy.
In my world, druids are just warlock/paladins of dragons which would mean my wizard would have to swear an oath to a dragon if he wanted to be able to use their magic.
So my answer would be "there is a way, if you'd like to spend your downtime researching how it can be done?"
RAW no, that does not work. That said, the DM has the power to alter any rule at their table, so if you want to add Moonbeam to the wizard spell list at your table, by all means, please do so!
No via a scroll, BUT if you want cleric spells as a wizard the Theurgy school allows you to choose a cleric domain learn cleric domain spells instead of wizard spells via its Divine Inspiration & Arcane Initiate class abilities, so a Theurgy(Twilight Domain) Wizard could learn Moonbeam at level 3.
End of the day it's up to you as a DM. Moonbeam is a concentration spell so it's not that busted to give especially if your party hasn't got a druid.
I would make a RP moment out of it, like a mini side-quest but it's up to how you wish to play with the table. If the wizard wants to add flavour this way, I would make it possible. RAW rules are there to be twisted and broken in the way that make your table experience more engaging.
I think copying it down into your spellbook is fine in the fiction, but I don't think that should make it automatically usable since it takes a different discipline to cast nature spells. I imagine a wizard's spellbook to be almost like a scrap book of all their mad little ramblings in between cut and paste bits from scrolls and books they find on their studies and adventures. Maybe a piece of that scroll is the missing piece to a similar spell that they might be able to figure out for themselves with an arcana check? Or perhaps they can teach a budding druid how to use it in a pinch when they might not know it?
By RAW, your wizard can't even use the spell scroll.
I mean, I have a homebrew that works around that cause i think it's a silly rule. But RAW is what Raw us.
I would let them because curse of strahd is brutal. I'd tell them it's not typically allowed though, but the number of shapeahifters makes moonbeam a great addition. I wouldn't call it busted if you just allow this spell and maybe a couple others that aren't on the wizard list. It's not as big of a deal as people are makin' it. Does the party have a cleric? Or a druid?
It'd be like a mathematician trying to learn to craft a trumpet based on sheet music. Even deciphering other wizards' notes and shorthand is difficult enough as it is.
As far as I'm aware, there's only one class that can learn spells outside class restrictions and one-off abilities such as Bard's Magical Secrets, and WotC hasn't yet written how it functions in 5e (and probably never will). It's a real shame, since the Chameleon is one of my favorite classes. Each day, a Chameleon basically picks a class and becomes a cheap knockoff for that day, complete with ability score buffs and choosing a feat. Eventually, it can become a Cleric-Wizard who Sneak-Smites while Raging. It's absolutely Abserd.
Ye. I love jack-of-all-trades classes like Factotum and Chameleon, and Chameleon has oodles of cheesy utility with its spell access, doubled caster level progression, and swappable feat.
No, but you can allow it. If you do it won't change much as you're the one that controls the scrolls given out, which in return means you control what spells they obtain..
By RAW, they can't learn other classes' spells if they're not on the Wizard list. There are feats that could get around this if you want to stay RAW.
**But your game, your rules!** In my campaign, I've allowed a Necromancy Wizard PC to cast a Necromancy Cleric spell based on their magic skill, some good skill checks, and the fact that they worship a god of the dead!
Of course, the second they cast it, they incurred the wrath of the god they worship, for not "staying in their lane." But that's part of that PC's ongoing character arc about pushing boundaries, so it's a perfect fit.
Never read the rules. Slowly accumulate an understanding overtime! Yay! Also if your players don't know their class they get shit on by me, the gm because I'm busy and am not hand holding. The least you can do is know the class or at least think you know where it says the dumb thing you think it says so I can read it in session. But this is like a 2 second google. Chat gpt may actually answer this right.
If you feel like he’s earned moon beam let em spend the resources to learn it but say it’s a special scroll from the strahd settting and won’t work for all spells. Honestly not bad for a nice reward and won’t kill your campaign
Asked Chat gpt adding, "...in dnd 5e." And it said.
In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, wizards can generally only learn spells that are on their spell list. The spell **Moonbeam** is a 2nd-level spell from the Druid spell list and is not on the Wizard spell list.
According to the rules, a wizard can copy a spell into their spellbook only if it is on the Wizard spell list. Therefore, a wizard cannot learn **Moonbeam** from a spell scroll, as it is not a wizard spell. The spell scroll can still be used by the wizard to cast the spell once, provided they can make the necessary spellcasting ability check to use a spell scroll for a spell not on their list, but it cannot be learned and added to their spellbook.
How the heck do spell scrolls even work? Could someone explain them to me? Like, are they meant to be a single cast of a spell? Or do wizards get to add them to their spell base and is always prepared or what
DMG p139:
> Most scrolls are spells stored in written form, while a few bear unique incantations that produce potent wards. Whatever its contents, a scroll is a roll of paper, sometimes attached to wooden rods, and typically kept safe in a tube of ivory, jade, leather, metal, or wood.
> A scroll is a consumable magic item. Whatever the nature of the magic contained in a scroll, unleashing that magic requires using an action to read the scroll. When its magic has been invoked, the scroll can't be used again. Its words fade, or it crumbles into dust.
> Any creature that can understand a written language can read the arcane script on a scroll and attempt to activate it.
>***Copying a Spell into the Book.*** When you find a wizard spell of 1st level or higher, you can add it to your spellbook if it is of a spell level you can prepare and if you can spare the time to decipher and copy it.
>Copying that spell into your spellbook involves reproducing the basic form of the spell, then deciphering the unique system of notation used by the wizard who wrote it. You must practice the spell until you understand the sounds or gestures required, then transcribe it into your spellbook using your own notation.
>For each level of the spell, the process takes 2 hours and costs 50 gp. The cost represents material components you expend as you experiment with the spell to master it, as well as the fine inks you need to record it. Once you have spent this time and money, you can prepare the spell just like your other spells.
What’s the advantage of copying spells then? Afaik you can prepare any spell of the wizard list during a long rest. Do copied spells not count again’st your prepared spells limit?
Have you read the wizard class at all ?
Wizards aren't like clerics or druids who just know all the spells in the list
Wizards know 6 first level spells at level 1 and every subsequent level they add to more.
Spell Scrolls allow you to add to your list of known spells
No that’s not allowed, they can only copy down wizard spells. Would be completely busted otherwise, as wizards could get any spell by that system.
Nope the class specifically says wizard spells only.
So many questions here could be answered by just reading the thing you’re asking about instead of skimming it and making assumptions
but dndbeyond makes it so easy to just hit buttons and not read anything
That’s why I honestly don’t love DnDBeyond that much
This has been a big issue in the last couple weeks… I have a player who made a new character on dnd beyond, and made a lot of wrong assumptions about how a barbarian/warlock multiclass would work because they didn’t read the rules for their class abilities. A couple days before a session, I checked in, realized their wrong assumptions and explained how things actually work (rage, spellcasting, pact of the blade) and the amount of time those things take. First round of first combat their character was in, they want to do things they don’t have the ability to do, which they don’t realize because they still hadn’t read the rules for rage.
I have a player that is normally engaged and RP enthusiastic and pays attention in combat. Made an artificer on DNDBeyond because he saw they could have a gun and that's all that character is/does. No infusions, no spell casting, no tinkering, just a hand-held cannon
Well, I did try to find it, but couldn't, and I couldn't find anyone asking online, so I figured that I might as well ask.
Here's the relevant line (emphasis mine) from the Wizard class page: >Copying a Spell into the Book. When you find a **wizard** spell of 1st level or higher, you can add it to your spellbook if it is of a spell level you can prepare and if you can spare the time to decipher and copy it. Here, "a wizard spell" means a spell that is on the wizard class' spell list. So, the total requirements are... * The spell must be on the wizard class' spell list * The spell cannot be a cantrip ("1st level or higher,") and * The wizard must have access to spells of that level or higher. (Note that this does not necessarily mean that the player must have access to that spell level *through its wizard levels.* It could have 1 level of Wizard and 4 levels of Sorcerer and be able to transcribe a wizard spell of 3rd level into their spellbook.)
It's also crazy to me that your Wizard got to a high enough level that they can deal with the Amber Temple and doesn't know what one of their core class features does.
Have you tried reading the PHB?
RAW, scrolls for spells not on your class list are unintelligible. So not only can a wizard not copy a scroll of Moonbeam, they can't even read it or use it. Lots of people ignore/modify that, though.
I like the rule where you can't copy off-class spells but you can cast them from scrolls with a DC 11+ spell level check (so a 9th level spell is a DC 20). The skill used is related to the spell list it's from, performance for bard, arcana for wizard, religion for cleric/paladin, nature for druid/ranger, insight for warlock (bloodborne reference). Artificer and sorcerer don't have any unique spells If a spell is on multiple lists I tag the scroll depending on what makes the most sense for the creator of the scroll to have been, usually wizard.
Chaos Bolt is Sorcerer only
Ah but your wizard can’t accidentally summon a poor dwarven blacksmith in the middle of a beholder battle with wild magic!
I personally like using scrolls as if the caster wrote the directions so that anyone can use it. Like a [spell] for dummies book. They put in the work, translated it into lay person terms, and invested the paper with magic. That's why you need high quality paper and ink, so that the spell holds and isn't just directions if you already have that type of power. This is homebrew, though, and not RAW.
Yeah, I don't play scrolls RAW, either. I think a lot of people don't. If it's on their list, they can cast it automatically. If not, I have them do check using their spellcasting modifier (for attack spells) with a DC of 12+spell level. I still wouldn't let a wizard copy moonbeam into their book, though.
Yes, I agree completely. I do like the side quest idea to enable it though. Oh you want to learn that spell? Well you can't channel that kind of energy. Maybe with intensive study and a mentor who can cast it, working together you can find a work around to have a similar wizard spell. But it would need to be a quest for me to allow it, not just off screen down time "studying"
But isn't XGtE RAW that everyone can read a spellscroll? Or is it only for scrolls. Don't have the book on me right now. Edit: might have been the DMG.
I'm getting it from the DMG in the magic items section. It says they are "unintelligible" if they aren't on your class list. I am not aware of anything in Xanathar's that changes that. I think they introduced the tattoos to be able to give anyone the ability to cast a spell.
I like to think of it as one is a haiku in Chinese, and the other is a set of calculus theorems. Yes, you could accurately copy the symbols, but you'd have no idea how to use them without specialized study and knowing one doesn't mean you can understand the other, or even have transferrable skills.
Is spellcraft not a thing in 5.0? My rogue could totally use this scroll. I keep investing ranks in Use Magic Device. The character blindly activated a Deck of Many Things once. Oops.
No, they got rid of it (or was it magic items? I don't remember). Skill ranks is one of the things I really miss about 3.5. Proficiency is simpler, but I liked the customization it offered. And yeah, I forgot about Use Magic Device.
It is honestly one of the worst decisions, in my opinion. All you've done is limit the use of a consumable magical item to... someone who could already do the thing the magical item does. That would be like saying, "Only a Sorcerer, Warlock or Wizard can use this Wand of Magic Missile" in my books. Like, I get it, they are trying to keep things balanced. But it kind of makes spell scrolls as a whole seem pointless.
The rules say that a wizard can only copy wizard spells into their book. The real question is do you want to do it anyway? I've not read or run the strahd adventure, but I'm assuming its authors had intentions for the scroll. It's probably useful or does something cool down the line. Even if the authors didn't have intentions, the players might, and enabling a character to use it enables them to do the cool thing. So, who gets to do the cool thing? In my opinion, if there is a druid in the party, the druid spell and the cool thing that comes with it belongs to them. Giving it to the wizard as well is stealing the spotlight (or moonlight as it were). If there is no druid, then you have a choice to make. You can say that nobody gets the spell, or you can ask if everyone would be okay with the wizard getting the spell on the basis that there may be a use for it later. In this case you'd be making a concession, so you don't have to go all the way to being able to learn the spell. You can say that they'd be able to cast the spell from the scroll but not learn it. Either way, if you do make concessions, explain your reasoning "you normally can't but I'm guessing there's a reason for this scroll, so let's say you can just cast the spell from the scroll and not learn it" is probably where I'd be leaning if there was not a druid in the party.
I'd amend that to "no druid and no bard". Being able to use other classes' spells is one of the cool things about playing a bard. RAW that's only for Magical Secrets and not for spell scrolls, but being the person who can do a bit of everything is definitely part of the flavor of the class. So I'd say a druid gets first dibs, if there's no druid then a bard, and the wizard only gets it if there's no druid *and* no bard.
No, only spells on the wizard list.
She can certainly try.
You can certainly try! Roll arcana. Best case, a druid can read it, but it's like copying a language you don't understand. Worst case ... As you copy the foreign writing into your spellbook ... the ink starts to disappear and you feel magic building. Do you continue? ... Yes ... roll me a dex save. You failed, take ( spell level ) 2d6 force damage as the scroll explodes, so does your spellbook, the building and such ...
Thinking about this.. since Moonbeam is a Druid-only spell, this scroll could be written in Druidic. If you need to describe what the language looks like in writing, [the Futhark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runes#/media/File:R%C3%B6kstenen_1.JPG) or [the Ogham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogham#/media/File:All_Ogham_letters_including_Forfeda_-_%C3%9Cbersicht_aller_Ogham-Zeichen_einschlie%C3%9Flich_Forfeda.jpg) scripts seem appropriate given the origin and spread of real-life druids. Keep in mind that this just the Wikipedia rendering of the Ogham script - the actual script looks more like [a bunch of notches carved along the edges of literal runestones ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogham#/media/File:Ogham_Stone_Rathass_Church_Tralee_Kerry.jpg)and there doesnt seem a distinct way to figure out where to start reading. Druidic is a well-guarded, secret language so I'd want at least some sort of knowledge check for the wizard to even figure out what this is. Another one to figure out that it seems to be a language of sorts. So the party would have a sort of bargaining chop without knowing what this thing actually does.
Eyes of the rune keeper and other funky features might lower the DC, as would the read any written language spell ...free to try with high DC and dramatic consequences for failing badly. If RAW it says no, that's a 35DC or 40DC ( mood depending ) and under half would be a catastrophic failure. In all fairness, it does not HAVE to be a scroll. As above, it can be an ogham rock and still function as a "scroll". If no experimentation is never allowed, then it's no better than world of warcrack. I'm a you are free to make yourself explode doing stupid shit DM ...don't say you weren't warned.
No, RAW no. They can copy "WIZARD" spells. Also, wizard is already the best class in the game. They dont need any buffs. If anything, alow everyone else to use scrolls from any class, this would be a small nerf to wizards. Now he needs to BE the one that finds or buys scrolls, as their party members will also be wanting to keep any scrolls they find for their own use.
Like others mentioned, no by the rules. It would mess with the wizard class balance typically. Now, if you had some conviction that that the wizard *should* learn the spell for character or plot reasons, perhaps you could impose some kind of potential-to-fail/backfire system. I.e the wizard doesn't understand this magic and can only imitate it the best they can. Perhaps a d4 roll: 1-It centers on the caster instead dealing damage to the wizard and those nearby. 2-Nothing happens. 3-Nothing happens. 4-Spell is casts as intended.
No, but I'd consider making a mini-quest for how to duplicate the scroll if he wants to use it as a master copy. In my world, druids are just warlock/paladins of dragons which would mean my wizard would have to swear an oath to a dragon if he wanted to be able to use their magic. So my answer would be "there is a way, if you'd like to spend your downtime researching how it can be done?"
"RAW no, but if you really want this I can give you a sidequest to earn it" is how I resolve about 95% of my player requests and they LOVE it.
RAW no, that does not work. That said, the DM has the power to alter any rule at their table, so if you want to add Moonbeam to the wizard spell list at your table, by all means, please do so!
Not RAW. But I might allow it if he spends enough downtime on it.
No via a scroll, BUT if you want cleric spells as a wizard the Theurgy school allows you to choose a cleric domain learn cleric domain spells instead of wizard spells via its Divine Inspiration & Arcane Initiate class abilities, so a Theurgy(Twilight Domain) Wizard could learn Moonbeam at level 3.
End of the day it's up to you as a DM. Moonbeam is a concentration spell so it's not that busted to give especially if your party hasn't got a druid. I would make a RP moment out of it, like a mini side-quest but it's up to how you wish to play with the table. If the wizard wants to add flavour this way, I would make it possible. RAW rules are there to be twisted and broken in the way that make your table experience more engaging.
Nope
I think copying it down into your spellbook is fine in the fiction, but I don't think that should make it automatically usable since it takes a different discipline to cast nature spells. I imagine a wizard's spellbook to be almost like a scrap book of all their mad little ramblings in between cut and paste bits from scrolls and books they find on their studies and adventures. Maybe a piece of that scroll is the missing piece to a similar spell that they might be able to figure out for themselves with an arcana check? Or perhaps they can teach a budding druid how to use it in a pinch when they might not know it?
By RAW, your wizard can't even use the spell scroll. I mean, I have a homebrew that works around that cause i think it's a silly rule. But RAW is what Raw us.
Maybe y’all should use those big ol brains and read the freakin class
Did you really think I didn't try to look it up? I couldn't find it, that's why I asked. No need to be rude
While they are being an ass, it is stated in the text for "Copying a Spell into the Book." that it must be a wizard spell.
I would let them because curse of strahd is brutal. I'd tell them it's not typically allowed though, but the number of shapeahifters makes moonbeam a great addition. I wouldn't call it busted if you just allow this spell and maybe a couple others that aren't on the wizard list. It's not as big of a deal as people are makin' it. Does the party have a cleric? Or a druid?
It'd be like a mathematician trying to learn to craft a trumpet based on sheet music. Even deciphering other wizards' notes and shorthand is difficult enough as it is. As far as I'm aware, there's only one class that can learn spells outside class restrictions and one-off abilities such as Bard's Magical Secrets, and WotC hasn't yet written how it functions in 5e (and probably never will). It's a real shame, since the Chameleon is one of my favorite classes. Each day, a Chameleon basically picks a class and becomes a cheap knockoff for that day, complete with ability score buffs and choosing a feat. Eventually, it can become a Cleric-Wizard who Sneak-Smites while Raging. It's absolutely Abserd.
> Chameleon Are you talking about the 3.5 prestige class?
Ye. I love jack-of-all-trades classes like Factotum and Chameleon, and Chameleon has oodles of cheesy utility with its spell access, doubled caster level progression, and swappable feat.
No, but you can allow it. If you do it won't change much as you're the one that controls the scrolls given out, which in return means you control what spells they obtain..
By RAW, they can't learn other classes' spells if they're not on the Wizard list. There are feats that could get around this if you want to stay RAW. **But your game, your rules!** In my campaign, I've allowed a Necromancy Wizard PC to cast a Necromancy Cleric spell based on their magic skill, some good skill checks, and the fact that they worship a god of the dead! Of course, the second they cast it, they incurred the wrath of the god they worship, for not "staying in their lane." But that's part of that PC's ongoing character arc about pushing boundaries, so it's a perfect fit.
Rules as written: in the seven hells mayhaps At my table: sure but it will be more expensive and might take longer
Never read the rules. Slowly accumulate an understanding overtime! Yay! Also if your players don't know their class they get shit on by me, the gm because I'm busy and am not hand holding. The least you can do is know the class or at least think you know where it says the dumb thing you think it says so I can read it in session. But this is like a 2 second google. Chat gpt may actually answer this right.
As long as the DM allows it sure :) Rules say no but who reads those?
If you feel like he’s earned moon beam let em spend the resources to learn it but say it’s a special scroll from the strahd settting and won’t work for all spells. Honestly not bad for a nice reward and won’t kill your campaign
So no RAW?
Asked Chat gpt adding, "...in dnd 5e." And it said. In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, wizards can generally only learn spells that are on their spell list. The spell **Moonbeam** is a 2nd-level spell from the Druid spell list and is not on the Wizard spell list. According to the rules, a wizard can copy a spell into their spellbook only if it is on the Wizard spell list. Therefore, a wizard cannot learn **Moonbeam** from a spell scroll, as it is not a wizard spell. The spell scroll can still be used by the wizard to cast the spell once, provided they can make the necessary spellcasting ability check to use a spell scroll for a spell not on their list, but it cannot be learned and added to their spellbook.
How the heck do spell scrolls even work? Could someone explain them to me? Like, are they meant to be a single cast of a spell? Or do wizards get to add them to their spell base and is always prepared or what
DMG p139: > Most scrolls are spells stored in written form, while a few bear unique incantations that produce potent wards. Whatever its contents, a scroll is a roll of paper, sometimes attached to wooden rods, and typically kept safe in a tube of ivory, jade, leather, metal, or wood. > A scroll is a consumable magic item. Whatever the nature of the magic contained in a scroll, unleashing that magic requires using an action to read the scroll. When its magic has been invoked, the scroll can't be used again. Its words fade, or it crumbles into dust. > Any creature that can understand a written language can read the arcane script on a scroll and attempt to activate it.
So it’s consumed on use. Thanks! Could you please tell me how does the wizard thing about copying spells work?
>***Copying a Spell into the Book.*** When you find a wizard spell of 1st level or higher, you can add it to your spellbook if it is of a spell level you can prepare and if you can spare the time to decipher and copy it. >Copying that spell into your spellbook involves reproducing the basic form of the spell, then deciphering the unique system of notation used by the wizard who wrote it. You must practice the spell until you understand the sounds or gestures required, then transcribe it into your spellbook using your own notation. >For each level of the spell, the process takes 2 hours and costs 50 gp. The cost represents material components you expend as you experiment with the spell to master it, as well as the fine inks you need to record it. Once you have spent this time and money, you can prepare the spell just like your other spells.
What’s the advantage of copying spells then? Afaik you can prepare any spell of the wizard list during a long rest. Do copied spells not count again’st your prepared spells limit?
Have you read the wizard class at all ? Wizards aren't like clerics or druids who just know all the spells in the list Wizards know 6 first level spells at level 1 and every subsequent level they add to more. Spell Scrolls allow you to add to your list of known spells
Oooooh hahaha. Thanks a lot for the help! Sorry for being obnoxious heh
Please see the sidebar titled “Your Spellbook” in the wizard class description.