Reading A Spell
Overview
A spell entry is a rules package. The title draws attention, but the real meaning of the spell lives in the structure around it: level, school, casting time, range, components, duration, and the exact wording of the effect.
Read In This Order
01
Timing
Casting time and duration tell you whether the spell fits the current moment.
02
Reach
Range and targeting explain who or what can actually be affected.
03
Requirements
Components and concentration tell you what the caster must be able to maintain.
04
Effect Text
The body of the spell defines the actual outcome, scaling, and restrictions.
Fields That Usually Matter Most
| Field | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Casting Time | Determines whether the spell is practical right now or belongs in preparation instead of panic. |
| Range / Target | Answers whether the chosen target is legal and whether cover or position matter. |
| Components | Decides whether restraint, silence, or missing gear can interrupt casting. |
| Duration / Concentration | Determines whether the effect is immediate, sustained, or easy to lose. |
| Higher-Level Text | Explains whether the spell improves when a stronger slot is spent. |
Do not rule from memory alone. Small wording differences in target count, range, concentration, or scaling often matter more than the spell’s headline effect.
Useful Next Stops