I'm a bit confused. Every group I've ever played with seems to assume that Wizards get unlimited cantrips, but when I look at the rules under the Wizard entry it shows very clearly that they are limited to 3-4 a day. Which is it and where can I find a clarification of that rule?
What jpomzz said. They can prepare 3-4 different cantrips(depending on level) per day. But they can cast those 3 or 4 an unlimited number of times.
What jpomzz said. They can prepare 3-4 different cantrips(depending on level) per day. But they can cast those 3 or 4 an unlimited number of times.
Wow - thanks for the quick response, you two... its admittedly a bit confusing when looking at the Wizard 'spells per day' chart, but the way you explain it makes perfect sense.
Cantrips: Wizards can prepare a number of cantrips, or 0-level spells, each day, as noted on Table: Wizard under “Spells per Day.” These spells are cast like any other spell, but they are not expended when cast and may be used again. A wizard can prepare a cantrip from a prohibited school, but it uses up two of his available slots (see below).
A wizard could cast any of the cantrips he has prepared for the day (3 at 1st level and 4 from 2nd level onward) a grand total of 14,400 times per day (24 hour period). Provided that he cast a cantrip each and every single round (10 rounds to the minute; 60 minutes to the hour; 24 hours to the day) the entire day long.
From 7th level onward, he could even cast more cantrips if he had the Quicken Spell meta-magic feat and had prepared a quickened cantrip in place of his 4th and higher level spells.
In short, as many as he needs.
Master Arminas
Note that a Quickened cantrip, or rather any cantrip not in a cantrip slot, can only be cast once per preparation, according to devs. So if you prepare say an extended Guidance it will take a 1st level slot and can only be cast once.
If you have spell perfection you can cast them again, but on the other hand, if you're a 15th level caster, why are you spamming cantrips?
'cept unless you've got some class features increasing your acid damage, it won't melt anything harder than paper (certainly less effective than simply melting it with a few fireballs or simply asking a barbarian to smash it), and the water from a spammed create water won't even fill a proper lake, I think. Haven't calculated on it but it's not a whole lot of water. Definately less effective than Control Weather or some such spell, if you have access to that.
28800 create water CL20 equals 8721 square meters of water. That is, a pool that is 20 meters long and wide and 22 meters deep. Enough to put out a large fire, probably enough to flood a tiny hamlet to destroy their roads and maybe ruin house foundations if in a normally dry climate where dirt is used. Not enough to really create a major flood though.
And that's assuming you cast every round for 24 hours straight. better get that silent and stilled or you'll have a pretty soar throat ;)
Hehehe I can see a deity for that.