Spellcasting Preparations

[Chris Ballard]

For those that have to prepare spells, do they have to prepare the spell in question multiple times for each time he/she thinks the spell will need to be cast that day? Or is it, just prepare it once and cast it as many times as needed until the person is out of spells of that level for the day?

Thanks in advance.

[Joana]

Non-spontaneous casters have to prepare, for example, 3 fireballs to cast fireball 3 times. It takes up 3 slots that you cannot prepare other spells in. If you only cast 2 fireballs, the third slot is still a fireball and can't be used to cast another spell you have prepared.

(The exception is clerics who are allowed to spontaneously convert previously-prepared slots to cure spells.)

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Chris Ballard wrote:

For those that have to prepare spells, do they have to prepare the spell in question multiple times for each time he/she thinks the spell will need to be cast that day? Or is it, just prepare it once and cast it as many times as needed until the person is out of spells of that level for the day?

Each preparation of the spell gets you one casting of the spell.

So, if you want to be able to cast Magic Missile twice, you need to prepare it twice - which takes 2 separate 1st-level spell slots.

[Joana]

I notice you are an AP subscriber. For "proof," if you have #40, Vaults of Madness, turn to Ezren's iconic statblock on page 90. He has prepared two ice storms at level 4, two fireballs at level 3, two scorching rays at level 2, and two magic missiles at level 1.

Cantrips can be cast as many times as you wish.