D&D 5E Spellbook Rituals (a new Wizard feature)

[DND_Reborn]

Following my Faster Features variant thread (5E - The "Faster Features" Variant (+)) I would like to discuss one particular idea I've had for months now for a new class feature and would like to implement for Wizards: Spellbook Rituals

With the new idea in Tasha's about known-spell casters being able to swap a spell on a long rest (still irks me, but I'll stay on focus), Wizards become the only class without access to their entire spell list; their access is limited to the spells they've learned and reside in their spellbook. Other threads have shown that is nice, but hardly lends to the versatility and utility of the class comparatively now. Wizards have the longest and most diverse spell list, but acquiring spells relies heavily on DM fiat as otherwise a Wizard PC is only guaranteed 44 spells by level 20, while other classes have access to 100+ spells each.

Now, Wizard ritual casting is the bomb! Being able to cast any ritual spell in your spellbook without having to have that spell prepared is awesome, certainly. But the spellbook itself can be a huge problem with otherwise little benefit. Replacing a lost, stolen, or destroyed spellbook can cost considerably and again the wealth allotted in a game is also DM fiat. (Hopefully, if your DM is going to screw-over the Wizard PC by removing the spellbook, they will also provide means for eventually restoring it... but no guarantees of that really. )

So, what can we add to the wizard to make the potential Achilles' Heel more beneficial? Spellbook Rituals.

Spellbook Rituals
You can cast any spell from your spellbook as a special ritual if that spell does not have the ritual tag. This special ritual takes one hour per spell level of the spell and requires a spellcasting check with a DC equal to 10 + the spell level. If you succeed, the spell is cast normally. If you fail the check, the spell fails and you gain one level of exhaustion. If your concentration is broken while using this feature to cast the spell, you gain a level of exhaustion. While casting a special ritual in this way, your spellbook becomes your spellcasting focus. You must follow all the restrictions for casting a ritual when you use this feature. (ADDED LATER) You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus. You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

I'm sure the wording needs to be cleaned up, but I think that conveys the concept for the most part. I know this has the potential to be very powerful, but given the time constraint you won't see it used during normal initiative combat. It also lends an incredible amount of versatility to Wizards on a semi-immediate basis.

Although not inspired by the artwork, when I saw it again in @Horwath's thread, it seemed a perfect example:

 

[tetrasodium]

While the idea is sound, 1hr/level puts it pretty deep in the realm of "why dont we just take a long rest and do it to now if it's so important bob" making it the kind of feature that gets us more to restrain a character from meaningful goodies than be meaningful itself. Shifting it to something like wildshape's fraction of druid level would probably be better.. wizard level /3 level spells and down is ten min wizard level/2 is 1 hr. Even then I'm not so sure

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

Sometimes I thought about a sorcerer or a warlock using rituals to craft talismans, rune or tattoos or other single-use magic item. It wouldn't break the power balance if it is only be can in their special place or sacrosantum.

 

[Quartz]

With the new idea in Tasha's about known-spell casters being able to swap a spell on a long rest (still irks me, but I'll stay on focus),

IMHO this is a bad idea and should be consigned to the dustbin. Limiting spells was the way Sorcerors were balanced against Wizards.

 

[DND_Reborn]

While the idea is sound, 1hr/level puts it pretty deep in the realm of "why dont we just take a long rest and do it to now if it's so important bob" making it the kind of feature that gets us more to restrain a character from meaningful goodies than be meaningful itself. Shifting it to something like wildshape's fraction of druid level would probably be better.. wizard level /3 level spells and down is ten min wizard level/2 is 1 hr. Even then I'm not so sure

Originally I was thinking 10 minutes per spell level but didn't want archmages casting Wish after 90 minutes of ritual casting. I'll continue to think about ways to restrict it...

 

[DND_Reborn]

IMHO this is a bad idea and should be consigned to the dustbin. Limiting spells was the way Sorcerors were balanced against Wizards.

Yeah, I hate the new Tasha's rule as well (since you quoted that section of my OP I figured that was the "bad idea" you meant?).

 

[GlassJaw]

IMHO this is a bad idea and should be consigned to the dustbin. Limiting spells was the way Sorcerors were balanced against Wizards.

Huh?

It's a way for sorcerers to regain some relevancy compared to wizards. I love it.

 

[Charlaquin]

IMHO this is a bad idea and should be consigned to the dustbin. Limiting spells was the way Sorcerors were balanced against Wizards.

Maybe in 3e. New edition, new balance assumptions.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Ok, respectfully, please keep this on topic. The topic IS NOT the new feature in Tasha's for known-spell casters (not just sorcerers), but the new feature outlined in the OP. Thank you!

I understand mea culpa for commenting on @Quartz's post, but I was also clarifying he meant the Tasha's rule and not the OP feature.

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

Originally I was thinking 10 minutes per spell level but didn't want archmages casting Wish after 90 minutes of ritual casting. I'll continue to think about ways to restrict it...

How about 10 minutes/level of spell, but restricting to spells of 1/4 of the Wizards level or below. Round down for most spells, round up for school specialists casting a spell of their school.

Edit: I see Na4 already suggested something along those lines.