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Newbie to Wizard in 3.5- Questions

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:46 pm
by Thoth-Amon
So I've finally decided to try my hand at making a wizard. I need some clarification points though... any help would be greatly appreciated.

I've got a 1st level human wizard with a 16 Int. So does this mean:
- I can cast any 0 level spell, though only 3 per day?
- I can cast 6 1st level spells though only 1 per day?
- Is the spellbook simply the sum total of all the spells you know?
- How do scrolls work? Are they simply extra spells you can cast outside of your normal daily alloted amounts? For example lets say I have a scroll with a 1st level spell on it and I've already used up my 1st level spell which I prepared from my spellbook that day. I can cast this in addition to that spell, correct? Does the scroll then get used up forever? Can it include spells that are outside of the spells I know in my spellbook? Finally how does one make or obtain scrolls?

Thank you!

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:04 am
by BornForBattle
Thoth-Amon wrote:So I've finally decided to try my hand at making a wizard. I need some clarification points though... any help would be greatly appreciated.

I've got a 1st level human wizard with a 16 Int. So does this mean:
- I can cast any 0 level spell, though only 3 per day?
Correct.
- I can cast 6 1st level spells though only 1 per day?
I'm pretty sure you will be able to cast an additional 1st level spell because of your Intelligence modifier.
- Is the spellbook simply the sum total of all the spells you know?
Yes, it is a list of all the spells you can pick from for your daily allotment.
- How do scrolls work? Are they simply extra spells you can cast outside of your normal daily alloted amounts? For example lets say I have a scroll with a 1st level spell on it and I've already used up my 1st level spell which I prepared from my spellbook that day. I can cast this in addition to that spell, correct? Does the scroll then get used up forever? Can it include spells that are outside of the spells I know in my spellbook? Finally how does one make or obtain scrolls?
Do you have a 3.5 players handbook? Scribing scrolls is covered in there on page 99. If you don't have one, I strongly recommend you make it a priority as it is always handy to have in case of confusion or disputes.

Thank you!
Hope this helps, if not there are loads of people on the forum who will happily correct any mistakes I may have made.

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:17 am
by GawainBS
[url="http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/resources/systems/pennpaper/dnd35/soveliorsage/home.html"]This[/url]can serve as a legal copy of the rulebook.

Your spellbook does indeed list the spells you know and can choose from.
Each slot can be filled by a spell of the appriopriate level (or a lower one). So, your 0th lvl spells example means that you can have 2 slots filled with Detec Magic, and 1 with Disrupt Undead, or 3 with Detect Magic, or 1 each of Detect Magic, Disrupt Undead and Flare.

A little advice: focus on spells that disable/hinder/annoy opponents, instead of spells that deal damage. Damage-dealing spells in D&D get obsolete real fast. For example, a Sleep spell can win most encounters by itself at low levels: a group of 4 orcs has a 70% chance to fail its saving throw against the spell, while Magic Missile would only deal 1d4+1 (avg. 3.5) damage against one opponent.

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:43 pm
by Thoth-Amon
thanks guys... yes I do have a 3.5 PHB but I just wanted to be 100% on this stuff. That's also really good advice about the hindering spells.
from what I read I get 3 1st level spells and 3 more because of my INT mod thus giving me 6 to choose from at level 1.
I'll study up more on making scrolls. But basically I'm correct in that they are 'extra' spells I can use in addition to my normal daily allotted amounts?

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 3:47 pm
by GawainBS
You can use scrolls in two ways. Either way, they're a one-shot item.

a) Use them to cast a spell directly from them, regardless of slots left, or wether or not you have it in your spellbook, or even if you have already access to that spell level.
b) Scribe that spell in your spellbook and hence increasing the number of spells you can choose from each day.

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 5:53 pm
by Thoth-Amon
OK. Makes sense now. Thank you.