Spells: Need Help

[Awesum14706]

I am creating a character, and I was wondering if I could have spells outside of his school. Or maybe, can he have no schools and have any spells of his level or lower?

[DM_Blake]

School?

So you're creating a wizard, right?

The phrase "have spells" doesn't really mean anything. Wizards "have spells" by learning them, finding them, buying them, and/or copying them from other sources. Once the spell is written into the wizard's spellbook, he "has that spell". We usually refer to this as the wizard's list of "spells known". there is no limit to the number of spells a wizard can know (but there are limits to the number of pages in each spellbook), and a wizard can learn any arcane spell from the Sorcerer/Wizard spell list.

While you might "know" many spells, you can only "prepare" a few of them each day. The number you can "prepare" increases as you go up levels.

If you choose no schools (universalist), you can prepare any spell with no restrictions. If you choose to specialize in one school then you must choose two opposition schools. You can prepare spells from your chosen school and all the other non-opposition schools normally, but you must use TWO spell slots to prepare a spell.

[kestral287]

Two spell slots to prepare a spell from an opposition school, to complete DM_Blake's sentence.

An Evocation Wizard can cast any school of spell he wants, two of those schools just cost him double the slots.

What spells are available isn't a direct "spell level = Wizard level" thing though. 9th level Wizards don't have 9th level spells. Not sure if that was what you meant with the last phrase, but figured I'd clarify just in case.

[Awesum14706]

Thanks!
Also, how many spells can a wizard have to start out with?

[DM_Blake]

I don't mind helping, but this is right there in the wizard class. I know, it's a lot to take in when you're learning a new rules system, but if you take it slow and read each ability and apply it to your character sheet, you'll get all of it.

Here's what it says:

Pathfinder SRD, Core Classes, Wizard, Class Features, Spells wrote:

Starting Spells (See Spellbooks below): A wizard begins play with a spellbook containing all 0-level wizard spells (except those from his opposed schools, if any; see Arcane Schools) plus three 1st-level spells of his choice. The wizard also selects a number of additional 1st-level spells equal to his Intelligence modifier to add to the spellbook.

So, basically all cantrips (except as noted) plus a number of level 1 spells equal to 3+INT modifier.

This is what you'll have written in your spellbook at the start. Each day, you spend an hour memorizing a short list of cantrips and spells you want to prepare. The number is your "Spells per Day" on the class chart, plus bonus spells from the table, "Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells". You can prepare the same spell over and over, or several different ones, however you like, but the spells you prepare must be in your spellbook.

[Awesum14706]

Sorry, I don't have the Core Rulebook. So, I have all level 0 spells and 3+my INT modifier level 1 spells?
Also, how much does the spellbook weigh?

[wraithstrike]

Awesum14706 wrote:

Sorry, I don't have the Core Rulebook. So, I have all level 0 spells and 3+my INT modifier level 1 spells?

Also, how much does the spellbook weigh?

The rules are online.

Click me to go to the PRD for Pathfinder Official rules.

[Tsriel]

wraithstrike wrote:

Awesum14706 wrote:

Sorry, I don't have the Core Rulebook. So, I have all level 0 spells and 3+my INT modifier level 1 spells?

Also, how much does the spellbook weigh?

The rules are online.

Click me to go to the PRD for Pathfinder Official rules.

Paizo also sells .pdf and hard copies of all the books, if you prefer this route over the PRD. In the case of just starting out, the core rulebook should be first in line.

Of course you don't have to buy anything, but it does help keep the hobby going.