Why aren't these spells rituals?

[JacktheRabbit]

Rope Trick? DO you really want to make characters like Warlocks who are totally based around short rest abilities way overpowered compared to their fellows?

 

[Yunru]

This is your personal interpretation of how to use those statblocks. Entertain the possibility that it's not a common one.

Right, okay. So we'll ignore the flavour for that *exact* stat block for a bit, and use another logical argument:
A 3rd level character has only just finished their basic training. A 5th level character thusly isn't far off. It's entirely reasonable to assume that if a fresh initiate is at level 3, a practised clergy would easily be level 5 or more.

 

[WhosDaDungeonMaster]

Right, okay. So we'll ignore the flavour for that *exact* stat block for a bit, and use another logical argument:
A 3rd level character has only just finished their basic training. A 5th level character thusly isn't far off. It's entirely reasonable to assume that if a fresh initiate is at level 3, a practised clergy would easily be level 5 or more.

Not to stoke the fires, but where are you getting this from:

A 3rd level character has only just finished their basic training. (??? )

I don't recall reading anything along those lines anywhere, but I could easily have missed something.

Coming from 1E, 5th-level represents the first point of true power for casters. Cleric got things like Cure Blindness (a miracle to most), etc. and in the 1E DMG Gygax explains how Level 1 and 2 spells were accomplished through training and rites, but 3rd-5th level spells were granted by agents of the deity, while 6th and 7th level spells came from the deity directly.

I guess part of the argument is perspective. To other priests, 5th-level is accomplished, but by no means truly powerful or remarkable. But, to the general populace, 5th-level is very powerful already, likely known in the region and possibly a local hero of sorts for deeds done, etc.

For my game worlds, levels 1-4 represent about 70-75% of all characters, levels 5-10 are maybe 20-25%, levels 11-16 about 5%, and 17+ much less than 1%. Your games, from the sound of your points, likely have much more in the second tier and much less in the first.

 

[the Jester]

IMHO, the answer is basically because those are all too good to be able to use at will without expending a spell slot.

 

[Satyrn]

They used up too many tags on concentration spells, didn't have enough left over to tag everything meant to be a ritual.

At least that's my guess, inspired by the unclaimed gifts under the tree.

 

[Yunru]

I don't remember exactly where, I believe Mike Mearls said it. But you can also see it just by looking: Paladins don't affirm their Oaths until level 3, Fighters don't finish their specialist training until 3rd level, etc.

 

[WhosDaDungeonMaster]

I don't remember exactly where, I believe Mike Mearls said it. But you can also see it just by looking: Paladins don't affirm their Oaths until level 3, Fighters don't finish their specialist training until 3rd level, etc.

Still, personally, I would hardly consider that point "basic training", especially when you consider Clerics choose their domains at Level 1, suggesting that theirs is completed then. It isn't a big issue, I was just curious if you read it somewhere in the PHB and I missed it. Thanks.

 

[MarkB]

Not to stoke the fires, but where are you getting this from:

A 3rd level character has only just finished their basic training. (??? )

It is something that was bandied about when 5e was in late development / initial release (I don't recall the exact timing) - the idea that levels 1-2 were effectively "apprentice levels", and that a character was only a full-fledged hero at 3rd level onwards.

However, even back then, that terminology was only ever applied to player characters. There was never any suggestion of it applying to NPCs.

 

[Umbran]

IMHO, the answer is basically because those are all too good to be able to use at will without expending a spell slot.

Agreed. A spell will be a ritual if and only if you aren't worried about how many times a day it may be cast - either because of its power (like Detect Magic) or that it is self-limiting (like Commune, which fails if you cast it too many times anyway).

 

[WhosDaDungeonMaster]

It is something that was bandied about when 5e was in late development / initial release (I don't recall the exact timing) - the idea that levels 1-2 were effectively "apprentice levels", and that a character was only a full-fledged hero at 3rd level onwards.

Hmm... interesting take on it. I've never thought of it being that way, but I could understand were others might. I would make more sense for character than dip into a class for only a level or two.