Can a Wizard learn a spell for a level they can't cast yet?

[Denaes]

In my situation, all players are 4th level and were given 5,400gp to aquire 4th level resources.

In my case, being a Wizard, I was allowed to purchase spells in addition to magic items. Basically it would mean that I picked it up off a scroll/book at some point.

My delima was that we're using the Unearthed Arcana Spell Points (http://d20srd.org/srd/variant/magic/spellPoints.htm) and at 5th level I'll have access to 3rd level spells. The short of it is I have mana to cast magic with, but I'm limited in any day to the spells I have memorized. So there isn't any effect for memorizing a spell twice.

I have an Int of 19 which gives me a bonus 3rd level spell and I took a level of Changeling Wizard and double specialized in Illusion/Transmutation.

This means when I hit level 5, I'll have 3 3rd level spell slots (1 must be Illusion/Transmutation), but I'll only gain 2 spells (1 of them Illusion/Transmutation).

So I wanted to get the facts straight about learning spells in advance so I can use my 3rd slot.

Knowing the facts, I can address the GM and let him know what I plan and ask him if he's comfortable with it and offer him to choose the spell or roll randomly if he prefers. Because, lets face it, in this situation it's better to have the the most random crappy spell than none.

Pretty much the rest of my money is going to go into components for my spells and maybe a "something" of protection.

 

[werk]

I've done it many times, and never had a GM question it. <shrug>

Same here, I've done it, no problem, and allow my players to do it. We don't have any wacky feats that allow you to cast any spell in your book or some other MtG inspired craziness, so it's never been a problem.

I find that I usually hang onto the scroll until I'm able to learn the spell, that way, if I need it, I can still cast it. Once it's in my book, it's dead to me until I reach appropriate level.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Well, its less of a "waste" if you can pick higher level spells that will eventually become useful to have as spells for the feat.

That's true. That does make Spell Mastery barely usable. I was sure Thanee was gonna argue that it would allow you to cast such spells, though, at a lower level.

 

[Mort]

There's no reason to disallow it (it cannot be abused)

Sure it can.
I'm a wizard planning to eventually PRC into Red Wizard of Thay. knowing I will have to give up another school when I do so, I get as many of the choice spells from that school into my spellbook as I can before I do so, that way I technically "know" them even if I can't cast them.

Since per the DMG "He can still use the prohibited spells he knew prior to becoming a Red Wizard, including using items that are activated by spell completion or spell trigger."

I suppose you can argue that he didn't actually know the spells, he just had them in his spellbook, but I think that's actually more of a strech not less.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Excellent job, Mort.

That is certainly a point I never considered (but then I don't play/DM in FR).