D&D 5E Arcane Recovery strategy

[cbwjm]

I'll be getting myself back a couple of magic missile slots and a 2nd level spell slot for a spell like blur, mirror image, or invisibility.

It really would depend on my spell selection and what we know about an upcoming encounter. Like, if we know a well placed fireball will make the next fight far easier because we'll be outnumbered then I'd get back a 1st and a 3rd level slot.

 

[aco175]

Probably two 1st and a 2nd. Mainly for the 1st in case Shield is needed, and 2nd lets me cast Invisibility.

I went one 2nd and two 1st level spells. 3rd level spells are some of the best bang for your buck spells around. But I've still got two of them remaining, whereas I'm mostly or completely drained everywhere else. I'd only take the single 4th level spell if I knew what was coming and had the right spell prepared for it. Four 1st level spells is nice. I just like the trade off with a 2nd level spell to open up more variety.

This is mostly what I was thinking with a 2nd and (2) 1st. I tend to keep a misty step around to get out of trouble and shield is always good to have.

 

[el-remmen]

I went with 1 1st and 1 3rd. Both punch above their weight and I can still cast a 2nd level spell with the additional 3rd level slot if I need to, while 4th level spells feel less versatile than 3rd or 1st level spells, even if more powerful.

 

[Nightfly]

I'm a simple man. I'm going for the 4th level slot. Wall of Fire? Banishment? Summon Greater Demon? Yeah, that's the stuff. Screw Magic Missile: I ain't bringing a fork to a gunfight.

 

[Horwath]

It absolutely depends on how many slots you find you're using for the Shield spell. If you're not needing that very often, it's the 4th level slot. If I am, it's at least some if not all the first level slots.

this.

4th level slot only if I have a good Summon X Spell, the 2nd attack is worth the 4th level slot.
Beholder from Summon aberration is a great 4th level spell.

otherwise 2×1st level and 1×2nd level,
Shield, absorb elements, Silvery barbs, Invisibility, Misty step... all great spells to have a extra use or two.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

It didn't come to pass in our game as we got through the adventuring day without really needing the short rest but, if we did, I was likely going to take the four 1st level slots to maximize utility (shield, longstrider on our hill dwarf fighter, silvery barbs, or even detect magic in a spot where we didn't have 10 minutes). I figured with two 3rd level slots remaining, the party wasn't missing out there.

I hadn't really thought that deeply about it before but those who have commented (@TwoSix, @el-remmen, and @DeviousQuail) about the odd level spells outpacing the even level spells... yeah, I tend to agree.