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I intend on starting a wizard character soon, and I was wondering how all you casters keep track of your spells. I'm thinking a 3-ring binder can act as my spellbook - I'd put a printout of each spell I know in it.
Each day's spells is where it gets a little trickier. I was thinking I might get two openable rings (similar to the ones in binders), get some index cards, and use a hole-punch to put holes in them. I could write in pencil on the cards which spell I've prepared plus a short description (casting time, damage, save effect, etc.), with a separator for different level spells. As I cast each one, I move it to the other ring. That way, I can see at a glance which spells I have left, and easily sort them by level; at the end of each day, I simply erase what's on the cards, and the "spent" ring becomes the "unspent" ring.
How do you guys keep track?
I would used index cards. Another idea is to get a binder, and have a separate section for each level of spells.
edit:I would use the index cards for the daily spells. One thing I have done is to have a general spell list, and then make changes to it as needed.
There is also a spell list sheet that allows you to write short descriptions on them.
If I can find the copy of them on my hard drive I will post them.
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My party's witch has a stack of post-it notes for it. She writes her prepared spells on the top one and crosses them off as she uses them.
When spells are re-prepared she just pulls the note she'd been using off the top of the stack and writes the new day's spells on the new top one.
If you have a smartphone there are spell tracking apps that allow you to make spell lists for your character.
I've used index cards or even just printed them out on my printer.
The real trick is to have all your potential summoned creatures on cards too.
I use a three-ring binder for my spells. I organize it by level, then alphabetically within each level.
For daily spells, I use a simple laminated sheet with big open spaces to list all of my spells with a dry erase marker. I'm in the process of writing some default spell prep lists for different situations; that's where I'll stick summaries of the spells, I think.
You'll note that my solutions are pretty simple and basic. That's because I also keep track of crafting and loot for the party, so I get my fill of complex bookkeeping elsewhere.
My highest level wizard, who has an extensive spellbook, has a literal "spellbook" that I use to keep track of his spells. It's not huge, only about six pages, and I only add the critical info needed to cast the spell, not the fluff. I have the pages in clear plastic protectors and use a wet-erase marker to identify which ones he has prepared. It's worked for 30 years.
For my druid I use my smartphone app and just pick the spells she most commonly uses and add them to her "spellbook". That way when I'm preparing spells I only have to look at a dozen or so spells for a quick re-fit. Then I write them on my plastic sheet protected character sheet in wet-erase marker in a special section I reserve for spells prepared.
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I'm hugely low-tech.
I have every spell known for a character listed by level. When I prepare a spell, I draw a little circle by the spell's name in pencil. When I cast it, I cross through the circle. I also have a place for "open" slots by each spell level, and I put a circle there if I have left slots open. When I prepare spells for the day, I erase everything and start over.
This is pretty useful.
You will need Excel, and you need to enable macros when you open it, but you can input your relevant character information and it will generate spellsheets with short descriptions and page references, including a printable version.
There used to be a website that did that stuff for 3.5e, but WOTC made them take it down, pretty much just because they wanted people to be using their own supplements.
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If you have a smartphone there are spell tracking apps that allow you to make spell lists for your character.
I'd be interested in specifics on this topic. I use a PDF generated by Herolab on my iPad for a "spellbook", but identifying which spells are actually prepared each day will get more and more cumbersome as my wizard gets higher level.
Last time I went Low-tech, I put relevant information on baseball-card sized bits of cardstock, always at least 2 copies, more for spells I memorize multiple times.
Using 9-card sheet protectors, 1 copy of each was put into a permanent 'spell-book', and then I had a couple of card protectors that I used for my memorized spells, with a copy of the spell per memorization. As I cast, I removed them.
These days, I use Hero-Lab, and track my memorizations there.
If you have a smartphone there are spell tracking apps that allow you to make spell lists for your character.I'd be interested in specifics on this topic. I use a PDF generated by Herolab on my iPad for a "spellbook", but identifying which spells are actually prepared each day will get more and more cumbersome as my wizard gets higher level.
The one I use is for the droid and is called "Pathfinder Compendium". It allows you to select spells to put in your "spellbook" but it doesn't track if you've prepared or cast them. I do that on paper. The thing that is so nice about it is that the full spell descriptions are just a finger tap away. Well, except "Summon Nature's Ally", it doesn't actually list the animals you can summon, a fairly significant omission for a druid, but that's the only spell I have an issue with. Summon monster is probably the same, but right now I only use it for my druid.
It also doesn't let you create multiple spellbooks for different characters, not that I can see anyway.
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I buy really big index cards and write the spells I have memorized. When I cast it I put a checkmark next to it.
For spells that have a duration in rounds I use another index card. When I cast the spell I write it down and make a number of circles for each round it will last. Then as my turn comes up I cross off circles. It makes tracking multiple spells easy. For example
Haste 000000
Summon Monster 3 000000000 (9 rounds since I am a conjurer)
For my spell list I just create an spreadsheet and list the spells alphabetically by level. I can put 20 levels of spells on 3 pages this way.
I tend to use a sheet of notebook paper to keep track of my spell book. Simple, easy, quick.
As for spells I memorize, that's a bit more complicated. I also tend to use this method for Spells Known casters. I take index cards, and write up everything pertaining to any spells my character knows (weather known or in book). Basically I make my own spell cards. For spells known casters, you just mark off one of your spell slots for the day (usually kept track of on another index card for me). For book casters, I typically put a number of check marks in the small squares at the top of the card I make for preparation casters (usually 10), to indicate how many times that day I've prepared it, along with the spell slot level used on top. If I use metamagics, I use abbreviations (ext for extend, slnt for silent, etc) underneath the boxes. When a card has no more checks for prepared left, it goes back in the pile.
All in all I find it works for me. My group used to look at me like I was nuts when I whipped them out. I find most people do. But eh, I'm a bit OCD in when it comes to details (just look at how I sort my TCGs).