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caster level checks and spell failure chances

Kershek

Sci-Fi Newshound
I have a 1st level wizard that started the game with a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th level spell in his book from graduating high in his academy. The academy wizards helped him write them in his book, therefore guaranteeing success. I have a rules question about how he can use these spells. I couldn't find the answer in the SRD under srdarcanespells.html and I don't have the PHB with me.

I'm assuming that I can't prepare a higher level spell at all since I don't have an open spell slot for it.

I know that I can cast a higher level spell from a scroll if I roll a spell failure chance of 5% per wizard level below the level required to prepare the spell. Therefore, my 1st level wizard could cast a 2nd level scroll with a 10% spell failure chance. If the spell fails, I need to make a DC 5 wisdom check or suffer a spell mishap (at least I believe that's true).

My question: Can I write a 2nd level spell from my book to a scroll? If so, is that a 10% spell failure chance? Then, when I cast it, it's another 10% spell failure chance, right? Or do I only have to worry about a 10% spell failure chance when casting it?
 

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You cannot write the spell as a scroll until you meet the minimum requirements to cast that spell.

This chart from the SRD is an example of that.

Table: Scroll Spell Levels

Minor Medium Major Spell Level Spell’s Caster Level*
----- ------ ----- ----------- --------------------
01-50 - - 1st 1st
51-95 01-05 - 2nd 3rd
96-100 06-65 - 3rd 5th
- 66-95 01-05 4th 7th
- 96-100 06-50 5th 9th
- - 51-70 6th 11th
- - 71-85 7th 13th
- - 86-95 8th 15th
- - 95-100 9th 17th
*These numbers assume that the creator is a cleric, druid, or wizard.

So you can't. Even if its copying the spell.
 
Last edited:

Sorry, Kershek, it won't work.

When creating a magic item that has a spell prerequisite, you cast that spell once per day of work. (Or more precisely, you use up a slot of that spell's level.) Since you don't have a second-level slot, you can't make a magic item that requires a second-level spell.
 

AuraSeer said:
Sorry, Kershek, it won't work.

When creating a magic item that has a spell prerequisite, you cast that spell once per day of work. (Or more precisely, you use up a slot of that spell's level.) Since you don't have a second-level slot, you can't make a magic item that requires a second-level spell.

Got it. I'll just think of it as an extra spell for the next few levels that are available as I gain experience.
 

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