How do you learn or prepare spells?

Known-spell casters

Some spellcasters learn a limited number of spells and keep those spells available.

In 2014-oriented class material, examples include:

• Bard;
• Sorcerer;
• Ranger;
• Warlock.

These classes usually have a **Spells Known** progression or equivalent text.

The character selects spells when the class feature says to do so.

Those choices remain known until a class rule allows one to be replaced or another is learned.

A known-spell caster does not normally choose a completely new spell list after each long rest.

Prepared casters

Other classes have access to a larger class spell list and prepare a subset.

Examples include:

• Cleric;
• Druid;
• Paladin;
• Artificer.

The number prepared depends on that class's Spellcasting feature.

Preparation normally happens after a long rest.

A prepared spell is available to cast using appropriate spell slots until the prepared list changes.

Casting the spell does not normally remove it from the prepared list.

Wizards use a spellbook and preparation

Wizard combines two restrictions.

First, a Wizard records spells in a **spellbook**.

Second, the Wizard prepares a subset of those spellbook spells.

Under the 2014 rules, the Wizard normally begins with six 1st-level Wizard spells in the spellbook and adds two Wizard spells when gaining each Wizard level.

The Wizard can also copy additional Wizard spells from suitable written sources when the copying rules are satisfied.

After a long rest, the Wizard prepares:

Wizard level + Intelligence modifier

Wizard spells from the spellbook, subject to the normal minimum and spell-level restrictions.

This means:

in spellbook ≠ automatically prepared prepared ≠ consumed when cast

Clerics prepare from the Cleric list

A 2014 Cleric prepares a number of Cleric spells based on:

Cleric level + Wisdom modifier

subject to the normal restrictions.

The Cleric chooses from the Cleric spell list rather than maintaining a Wizard-style spellbook.

Divine Domain Spells are an important exception to ordinary preparation capacity.

Once gained, a Domain Spell is always prepared and does not count against the Cleric's normal number prepared.

Druids also prepare

The 2014 Druid prepares Druid spells using Wisdom and Druid level.

Like the Cleric, the Druid works from the class spell list rather than a Wizard-style personal spellbook.

Circle or optional features can add additional access depending on the subclass and source.

Paladins prepare spells as half-casters

The 2014 Paladin begins spellcasting at 2nd level.

It prepares Paladin spells using Charisma and Paladin level according to the half-caster preparation formula.

The class therefore has fewer and lower-level slots than a full caster but can change the prepared list rather than being locked into a small permanent selection.

Artificers prepare spells

The pre-2024 Artificer is an Intelligence-based prepared half-caster.

Its class rules determine how many Artificer spells are prepared.

Artificer Specialist Spells can supply additional always-prepared options when the subclass grants them.

Bards know spells

The 2014 Bard learns a limited number of Bard spells.

Those spells stay known and are not replaced by a completely fresh prepared list every day.

Magical Secrets later allows selected spells from other class lists to become Bard spells for that Bard.

Sorcerers know spells

The 2014 Sorcerer also learns a limited number of spells.

Because the number known is relatively small, each selection has substantial build impact.

Metamagic changes how those spells are used rather than expanding the daily list into a Wizard-sized library.

Rangers know spells in the 2014 baseline

The 2014 Ranger is a known-spell half-caster.

That is easy to confuse with the prepared Paladin.

The 2014 Ranger is a known-spell caster; later and 2024 Ranger preparation rules are a different rules version.

Warlocks know spells

The 2014 Warlock learns a limited number of Warlock spells.

Those spells use Pact Magic slots through 5th level.

Mystic Arcanum then provides selected higher-level spells under a different once-per-long-rest structure.

Subclasses can add spellcasting

A normally non-spellcasting class can gain spells through a subclass.

Examples include:

• Arcane Trickster Rogue;
• Eldritch Knight Fighter;
• Profane Soul Blood Hunter;
• another published or project-specific subclass.

Those subclasses have their own rules for:

• what list they use;
• their spellcasting ability;
• how many spells they know or prepare;
• which spell schools are restricted;
• how quickly spell slots progress.

Do not assume all subclass spellcasting uses the Wizard rules.

Feats, species and magic items are separate again

A feat may grant one or more spells.

A species feature may grant innate magic.

A magic item may let the user cast a spell through charges.

Those do not automatically add the spell to a class's known or prepared list.

The granting feature tells you:

• whether the spell is known;
• whether it can also use your spell slots;
• what ability it uses;
• how often it can be cast;
• whether it is always prepared.

Ritual availability also depends on class rules

A ritual tag alone does not mean every character can ritual-cast the spell.

The character needs a feature allowing ritual casting.

The 2014 Wizard has the unusual advantage that a Wizard ritual can be cast from the spellbook without being prepared.

A 2014 Cleric, by contrast, needs the ritual spell prepared.