Divine orison and arcane cantrips can be used at will but only a limited time each day. I find the two terms to contrast. I'd define at will as something that can be used at any time for a limitless count each day. If a cleric is otherwise still restricted to just 4 times a day, maximum, I don't think that this is enough reason to nerf cure light wounds. I have no fear of adventurers with access to healing. It makes them more courageous and less likely to quit for the day.
I've cut out the need for any material components and XP cost for spells and magic item creation, so there's no substantial change to saying these spells can be cast at any time but only for a limited amount each day unless it's phrased like "abilities that can be used as a SU ability x times/ day" instead of "at will."
True, but I always figured any spell could be cast at will if it's taken just to mean whenever the caster desires. If a wizard has memorized fireball to cast it for one time that day, then the caster can cast it only one time but any time that day at will.
Edit:
For example, when I read the Balor, such a creature can cast Dominate Monster "At Will." Does this mean the Balor is then limited as to how many times Dominate Monster may be used, or is it any number of times throughout the day?
Does a cleric/ wizard still need to memorize certain 0-level spells, or does "at will" mean that memorization is no longer required, but it's just limited as to how many times a day 0 level spells may be cast?
Essentially, I'm just curious as to what has changed because otherwise it feels like nothing has changed: the spellcaster still needs to memorize from a list, and is limited to a number of uses per day. This is the process of spell use for all spell levels.
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"At Will" in D&D means as a Standard action I can cast X spell or use X spell-like ability as often as I want. Your Balor can attempt to Dominate Person 1/round every round till the end of time.
Orisons and Cantrips are now At Will Spell-like abilities, but you can only prepare x number a day. So for example I play a Wizard with all the cantrips in my spellbook, meaning I have access to every single one. However I can only prepare 3. So of the long list of cantrips available to me I choose Detect Magic, Acid Splash, and Light. So untill I prepare spells again I can cast any of those 3 once per round as a Standard action as often as I want. I could fire an Acid splash all day long 1/ round.
Tomorrow I feel a little different so I choose Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, and Daze. Then I could Daze my best friend every round all day long if I wanted
The fog has lifted, clarity prevails.
Thank you. Now it makes sense.