The Spell System¶
Some of the most powerful weapons player characters have at their disposal in AD&D are magical spells. Through spells a character can call lightning out of the sky, heal grievous injuries, hurl explosive balls of fire, and learn secrets long forgotten.
Not every character can cast spells. Arcane casters (Mages, Sorcerers, Bards) and divine casters (Clerics, Druids, and high-level Rangers and Paladins) cast wizard and priest spells respectively. A few classes have limited spellcasting in addition to their other attributes. Regardless of source, every spell is either a wizard or a priest spell.
Wizard spells¶
Wizard spells range from spells of simple utility to great and powerful magics. Casting a wizard spell is a complicated ordeal:
- A wizard can only use spells from their spellbook. Beginning wizards start with a few basic spells. Mages obtain spell scrolls during their adventures and scribe them into their spellbook from the item's Description screen (right-click an item in PC versions).
- A Mage's mind can comprehend only a certain number of spells. The number a Mage can hold per spell level is limited by Intelligence — see Ability Scores → Intelligence.
- Daily memorisation is essential. Every day, the Mage must memorise spells from their spellbook. Once memorised, a spell is retained as potential energy until released — and upon casting it is wiped clean from the wizard's mind, lost until studied and re-memorised.
- Memorisation requires rest. The Mage must have a clear head from a restful night's sleep and then spend time studying. A Mage can memorise the same spell more than once; each memorisation counts as one slot toward the daily limit.
Sorcerers are different
Sorcerers do not memorise spells. A Sorcerer may freely cast any spell of any level for which they still have spell slots left — see Sorcerer.
Priest spells¶
A priest's spells, while sometimes sharing powers with wizard spells, are quite different in flavour. The priest's role is to be a defender and guide for others — most of their spells aid others or provide some service to the community. Few are truly offensive, but many can be used cleverly to protect and defend.
The knowledge of what spells are available to the priest becomes instantly clear as they advance in level — this knowledge and the power for the spells themselves are bestowed by the priest's deity.
Priests memorise their spells similarly to wizards but do not need a spellbook. Once they gain access to a level of spells, they may memorise any priest spells of that level up to their maximum number of priest spells per day. Priests must pray to obtain spells — this happens during rest.
Sorcerers vs. Mages¶
| Mage | Sorcerer | |
|---|---|---|
| Has a spellbook? | Yes | No |
| Must memorise specific spells daily? | Yes | No |
| Number of spells known | Limited by Int per level | Small, fixed list per level |
| Spell slots per day | Fewer, allocated by spell | More, freely cast from spells known |
| Specialist school option | Yes | No |
See Spells Per Day for the per-class progression and Sorcerer Spells Known.
Source: iwdee/original_manuals/IWDEE - Mastering Melee & Magic.pdf — "Magic and the Spell System", "Wizard Spells", "Priest Spells".