How Many Spells Does a Wizard Know?

The number of spells a wizard knows in the world of Dungeons Dragons 5th Edition is not a straightforward answer. It depends on various factors including the wizard's level, their choice of spells, and their experience. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Spellbook: The Foundation

A wizard begins their journey with a spellbook containing six 1st-level spells of their choice. As they progress through the levels, they can add more spells to their spellbook. This means their spell repertoire increases with each level they gain. Wizards have the unique ability to add new spells to their spellbook based on their adventures and discoveries.

Learning Spells

As a wizard gains experience, they can learn new spells. Each time a wizard levels up, they can add two new spells of their choice from the wizard spell list to their spellbook. This feature allows for continuous growth in their magical knowledge. Additionally, they have the opportunity to learn new cantrips as they progress through the levels.

Prepared Spells: Daily Limitation

The number of spells a wizard can prepare for use each day is influenced by their Intelligence modifier and their level. For instance, a wizard with an Intelligence of 16 (which gives a 3 modifier) and who is level 5 can prepare 8 spells (5 3). This means they have a daily limit of spells they can use during combat or other magical endeavors.

Limitations and Flexibility

While the total number of spells in their spellbook increases with each level, the number of spells they can prepare each day is limited. Wizards cannot transcend this limit even if they have more spells in their book. This system provides a balance between the wizard's ongoing magical learning and their practical use of spells in various situations.

Beyond Dungeons Dragons: Mythical and Fantasy Worlds

In different fantasy and mythological contexts, the number of spells a wizard knows can vary widely. In some worlds, like the RPG Talislanta, wizards may know hundreds of spells. Conversely, in the Norse mythos, Odin is believed to know 18 spells, though this may not be entirely trustworthy. Some fantasy worlds portray wizards as knowing no pre-defined spells but being able to conjure effects on the fly based on their understanding of magic.

Personal Experience and Creativity

Wizards can often incorporate their own spells into their repertoire based on their own creativity and inspiration. In some cases, wizards have hundreds of spells passed down or learned over their lifetimes, and in modern times, they may write their own spells, much like a recipe, based on inspiration.

Some wizards may not even know how they come up with their spells or patterns, as they are derived from inspiration rather than a set formula.

The question “How many spells does a wizard know?” can often be answered with a simple, yet profound response: As many as the wizard has had the time, opportunity, and comprehension to learn… as well as any spells the wizard has designed on their own.

In the context of Dungeons Dragons 5th Edition, a 1st-level wizard knows 6 1st-level spells and 3 cantrips. Every time they level up, they can learn an additional 2 spells of their choice that they have spell slots for, plus new cantrips as per the Wizard level table. Sub-class features can also grant additional spells.

Transcribing Spells

Wizards have the unique ability to transcribe new spells into their spellbooks. Transcribing a spell requires 2 hours and 50 gold per spell level. This can be from other spellbooks or from spell scrolls. A wizard must pass an Arcana check (10 the spell level) to successfully transcribe from a spell scroll, and the scroll is destroyed regardless of success or failure. Cantrips cannot be transcribed into the spell book.

Spells Lost and Regained

If a wizard loses their spellbook, they forget all the spells written in it and can only use the spells they had prepared. They will need to write a new spellbook, which takes 1 hour and 10 gold on average to copy a prepared spell into a new book or from one of their own spellbooks to another.

In conclusion, the number of spells a wizard knows is flexible and dynamic. It is not just limited to the spells they have prepared, but also dependent on their experiences, creativity, and the world they are in.