Read Magic as an Exception but still a Cantrip

[andysmason]

On page 79 of the Core Rulebook it says that "Read Magic" is an exception to the spells not written in your spellbook, but Read Magic is a cantrip anyhow? So why bother including it as an exception there?

It could have just as easily been any other cantrip, no?

[CampinCarl9127]

What...what is your question?

[jbadams]

Other Cantrips still need to appear in your spell book to be prepared - Read Magic does not.

Wizards begin play with a spellbook containing all Cantrips and can therefore prepare any of them, but the exception will come in to play if you lose your spellbook - you could still prepare Read Magic without it, but not your other Cantrips.

[Silent Saturn]

It's an exception for wizards, but not sorcerers. They might still learn it, if they want to read scrolls (or already learned all the cantrips they care about).

If you're asking why it's an exception, it's because if it weren't, wizards would need to prepare and cast Read Magic to read their spellbooks... to prepare and cast Read Magic. The exception is to make clear that wizards can always read spellbooks.

[Jeraa]

Silent Saturn wrote:

It's an exception for wizards, but not sorcerers. They might still learn it, if they want to read scrolls (or already learned all the cantrips they care about).

If you're asking why it's an exception, it's because if it weren't, wizards would need to prepare and cast Read Magic to read their spellbooks... to prepare and cast Read Magic. The exception is to make clear that wizards can always read spellbooks.

Reading spellbooks doesn't require read magic. Spellcraft can be used, and the character doesn't need any help at all to read his own spellbook.

Quote:

To decipher an arcane magical writing (such as a single spell in another's spellbook or on a scroll), a character must make a Spellcraft check (DC 20 + the spell's level). If the skill check fails, the character cannot attempt to read that particular spell again until the next day. A read magic spell automatically deciphers magical writing without a skill check. If the person who created the magical writing is on hand to help the reader, success is also automatic.

[Milo v3]

It's so if your spellbook is lost or destroyed you can read someone elses without difficulty so that you still have some class features.

[LazarX]

andysmason wrote:

On page 79 of the Core Rulebook it says that "Read Magic" is an exception to the spells not written in your spellbook, but Read Magic is a cantrip anyhow? So why bother including it as an exception there?

It could have just as easily been any other cantrip, no?

No... Read Magic represents the very first thing you learn as a Wizard's Apprentice... the ritual to read magic itself without fail.