Can Clerics Forego Spell Preparation Like Wizards?

[Larcen]

Some quick questions. I don't have my books handy at the moment. I know that a Wizard can leave some of his spell slots open in the morning and then fill them in later in the day by taking at least 15 minutes time. Can Clerics do that same thing?

I seem to recall the PHB saying that they don't have to prepare all their spells ahead of time, but it didn't specifically mention the 15 minute rule like it did for Wizards. Which is it?

I like the idea of my cleric leaving at least one slot per spell level open for all those sometimes incredibly useful spells like Restoration, Remove Curse, etc. Also I figure if the slot doesn't get used by the end of the day, it can be used to cast a Endure Elements on yourself for the next day, or an extended Bull's Strength or something. Anyone else use a strategy similar to this?

Oh yeah!! I almost forgot, can these open slots be filled "on the fly" with lower level spells? In other words, if I leave a 3th level slot open, and later need a 2nd level spell, can I take 15 minutes and do that? If so, just think how incredibly useful it would be to leave just ONE mid-level slot open. That slot could be used for a LOT of spells that may be needed throughout the day.

Thanks for any responses.

 

[Zhure]

Yes. Quote pending... {searching}

"Divine spellcasters prepare their spells in largely the same manner as wizards, but with a few differences.

... However, divine spellcasters do not require a period of rest to prepare spells. Instead, the character chooses a particular part of the day to pray and receive spells...... If some event prevents the character from praying at the proper time, he must do so as soon as possible. If the character does not stop to pray for spells at the first opportunity, he must wait until the next day to prepare spells.

The time required to prepare spells is the same as for a wizard (1 hour), as is the requirement for a relatively peaceful environment in which to perform the preparation. A divine spellcaster does not have to prepare all his spells at once. However, the character's mind is only considered fresh during his first daily spell preparation, so he cannot fill a slot that is empty because he has cast a spell or abandoned a previously prepared spell.

However, he can spontaneously cast cure or inflict spells in place of certain prepared spells (see Spontaneous Casting of Cure and Inflict Spells, below)."

Hope that helps,
Greg

 

[StealthyMark]

I know that a Wizard can leave some of his spell slots open in the morning and then fill them in later in the day by taking at least 15 minutes time. Can Clerics do that same thing?

Yes.
PHB, pg. 156, Preparing divine spells: "A divine spellcaster chooses and prepares spells ahead of time, just as a wizard does. ... A divine spellcaster does not have to prepare all his spells at once."

I almost forgot, can these open slots be filled "on the fly" with lower level spells?

Yes.
PHB, pg. 148, Casting a spell: "You always have the option to fill a higher-level spell slot with a lower-level spell."

 

[Larcen]

"Praise Mystra!"

I wasn't sure because, like I said and you have confirmed, the Cleric rules DO NOT go on to describe the 15 minute rule like it does for Wizards. But, I agree that the intent was probably the same as for Wizards.

Thanks guys, this is WAY COOL for my cleric. Like I said, even if the slots go unused at the very least they will give me in Endure Elements, or Bull's Strength's, or Endurance for the next day. Just prepare these spells 15 minutes before going to bed! And having a slot open throughout the day makes for a real flexible spellcaster. Now to get the PCGen guys to create a "open slot" for the spells memorized list....

 

[Xahn'Tyr]

Hmm, that ain't a bad idea. I usually keep "Energy Immunity (Electricity)" (level 6) memorized and cast it each night since it has a 24 hr duration. But if I don't actually memorize it until bed time, then I can keep that slot open during the day and fill it in with something else if I need too (like Restoration, or Raise Dead etc.).

I don't know how many times I've had to say "Sure, I can do that, but we'll have to wait until tommorrow morning." With this strategy, I might be able to avoid that inconvenience.

 

[dcollins]

Yes.
PHB, pg. 148, Casting a spell: "You always have the option to fill a higher-level spell slot with a lower-level spell."

No, that makes no sense whatsoever. It completely contradicts the whole point to clerics being required to prepare spells at a particular time of day: PH p. 156, "... the character chooses a particular part of the day to pray and receive spells... if the character does not stop to pray for spells at the first opportunity, he must wait until the next day to prepare spells."

The passages you quote only make sense in the context of clerics having the option to not actually use all their available spells in a particular day. There are no rules anywhere allowing clerics to prepare spells in unused slots at a time outside their designated daily prayers.

 

[Xahn'Tyr]

A divine spellcaster does not have to prepare all his spells at once.

 

[HeavyG]

I'm starting to have fun with open slots.

I have a new 12th level cleric that always keeps a slot of 2nd to 6th level spells open. At first, I did this because I worship the goddess of planning so having the option to choose any needed spell with a 15 minutes delay seemed to fit the bill.

But when I don't need to use the slot, I take 15 minutes to prep, then I can cast things like Empower-Extended-Extended Bull's Strength or Endurance (that spell lasts for 48 hours !).

 

[RogueJK]

There are no rules anywhere allowing clerics to prepare spells in unused slots at a time outside their designated daily prayers.

Check the DnD FAQ. Page 38, at the top of the right column.

"A divine spellcaster does not have to prepare all of his spells at once. (See page 156 in the PHB). This means that you can leave slots open.... If you have left slots open, you can fill them in 15 minutes, even when your mind is not fresh. Arcane casters have the same rule."

 

[JacktheRabbit]

What we have here is a solid statement contradicting an inferred statement.

Inferred Statement - A cleric does not have to prepare all of his spells at once. The inferred statement is that a spell can then be prepared at a later time in the day.

Solid Statement - PH p. 156, "... the character chooses a particular part of the day to pray and receive spells... if the character does not stop to pray for spells at the first opportunity, he must wait until the next day to prepare spells."


The problem is the inferred part. Nothing in the first statement tells you that you can pray at a later time to fill the slot.

Here is an example. I drive into a gas station. I am not required to fill my tank all the way up with gas. Just because I only fill up halfway though does not mean I can fill the other half at any time. I can only fill it the rest of the way the next time I go to a gas station.

A cleric is like a driver. He can only fill up at gas stations (ie specific times of day). A wizard on the other hand has his spellbook which acts as a gas station he carries with him all the time. As long as he has his spellbook he can fill up off it at any time.

This leads to the question why the rules say a cleric does not have to prepare all of his spells at once. I do not know the answer to this. How long does a cleric have to pray to get spells? Maybe the rule allows a cleric to skip new spells that day if he is in a hurry and doesnt have time for all that morning prayer.