D&D 5E PHB Spell lists

[Undrave]

(yeah, I know the PHB's been out for years now, but just humour me)

So, in 5e a spell has an innate level that is always the same. No matter at what level YOU can cast it, Goodberry is always a 1st Level Spell (by the way, it's dumb to have two different concept in a game that are named the same thing but that's for another day).

That being established, can someone tell me what is the advantage of having spells listed ONLY alphabetically?

Why aren't they first organized by levels (starting with Cantrips) and THEN in alphabetical order? It's such a pain having to go from the class spell list, then flip through a ton of spells you might never get to use (looking' at you 9th level spells) and then finding the Spell isn't to your liking and having to start all over again.

And speaking of the class spell list, it really would have been way easier if Rituals had been indicated in said list. And that each spell utilized the same system as the Xanathar Spell cards where each spell has a little logo that tells you on which class spell list it is. That would make picking new spells or preparing a new load out at the start of the day way easier.

Or maybe I'm just crazy and everybody loves the long alphabetical list?

 

[GlassJaw]

You are not alone. I still get annoyed with spell organization, both the class lists and the spell descriptions. Of the possible ways to organize those sections, it's the least efficient.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

I dunno - not really an advantage, but I'm sure page count has something to do with it. Or as an added incentive to buy D&D Beyond.

I've been using this resource to see a sortable, filterable list of spells - and to print custom spell lists/books for PCs and NPCs:

www.dnd-spells.com

 

[Undrave]

I dunno - not really an advantage, but I'm sure page count has something to do with it. Or as an added incentive to buy D&D Beyond.

I've been using this resource to see a sortable, filterable list of spells - and to print custom spell lists/books for PCs and NPCs:

www.dnd-spells.com

Thanks for the ressource, I'll remember it next time I play a caster!

I dunno if it would change the page count that much, considering they would have the same amount of content plus a few extra headers. They could have went with half-page art instead of full pages like they do now.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

Thanks for the ressource, I'll remember it next time I play a caster!

YW! Having the custom spell sheets has sped up play considerably at our tables, IME. Far, far less searching the PHB and other books to find out how a spell works.

 

[Undrave]

You are not alone. I still get annoyed with spell organization, both the class lists and the spell descriptions. Of the possible ways to organize those sections, it's the least efficient.

You would think that for something that is SO INTEGRAL to the game they would have put in a little more effort into it...

Feels like they just wanted it to look like the 3rd edition spell list or something.

 

[Salthorae]

I like Donjon's Sheet personally as I DM or play a caster.

There is also this resource from WotC which has the normal spell lists, but then also has them sorted by School then level, and then also just Alpha order by level: WotC Spell Lists. It is, unfortunately, PHB only, no SCAG or XGE.

Back in 2014 I also put this excel sheet together with slicers and such. 5E - Spell List for Easy reference

I have an updated version, but this is already available on the forum and I'll have to wait till I get home to find the updated version

 

[R_J_K75]

I remember at one point the spell descriptions were listed by class and level so if you didnt know what level the spell you were looking for they were hard to find without consulting the spell list.

 

[Undrave]

I like Donjon's Sheet personally as I DM or play a caster.

There is also this resource from WotC which has the normal spell lists, but then also has them sorted by School then level, and then also just Alpha order by level: WotC Spell Lists. It is, unfortunately, PHB only, no SCAG or XGE.

Back in 2014 I also put this excel sheet together with slicers and such. 5E - Spell List for Easy reference

I have an updated version, but this is already available on the forum and I'll have to wait till I get home to find the updated version

Man that list is already better because of the ritual asterisk... now, how useful is it knowing the school of a spell if you're not a wizard?

 

[Beleriphon]

I remember at one point the spell descriptions were listed by class and level so if you didnt know what level the spell you were looking for they were hard to find without consulting the spell list.

AD&D 2E did this. I hated it since if I wanted to use a spell for say a monster I had to know the level, if I had a spell on my character sheet already and didn't write down the level it was nearly impossible to find.