Games - Spells of Dungeons & Dragons

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	Games - Spells of Dungeons & Dragons

The Spells of Dungeons & Dragons are magic spells used in the fictional settings of the role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). D&D defined the genre of fantasy role-playing games, and remains the most popular. Many of the original spells have become widely used in the role-playing community, across many different fictional worlds, and across books, board games, video games, and movies.

The specific effects of each spell, and even the names of some spells, vary from edition to edition of the D&D corpus.

d20 System

The current rules are based on the d20 System—a core set of rules which can be (and are) used as the basis for many games. Thus, many d20 games might use the D&D spell list, while others create their own or even replace the entire magic system.

Mechanics

Spell types

In the current edition of the Dungeons & Dragons game, spells come in two main types, arcane and divine. Wizards, sorcerers and bards learn to cast arcane spells, which are typically flashy and powerful, but require complex movements and gestures which are impeded by wearing bulky armor. Clerics, druids, rangers and paladins cast divine spells, which draw their power from a deity, from nature or simply the caster's inner faith, and while it is not impeded by heavy armor, it may require the caster to wear a holy symbol as a focus. A spell may exist in both arcane and divine forms - for example, summon monster VII can be cast by both wizards and clerics, although a cleric might use it to summon an angel while a wizard would feel free to summon whichever creature best fit the situation.

Psionics

A third form of magic, psionics, is manifested purely by mental discipline, and is detailed in an add-on book known as the Psionics Handbook (and later the Expanded Psionics Handbook) rather than being part of the core rules. Typical psionic powers include telekinesis and mind control.

Psionics can be used in two ways in D&D: psionic powers can be magical or non-magical. If they are magical, then spells such as Detect Magic will detect psionics use and the psionic power Detect Power will detect magic use. This applies generally to all spells and powers. In the second option, the two are completely distinct. Detect Magic will not detect powers, nor will Detect Power detect magic spells.

Arcane magic

These are typically spells devoted to manipulating energy, converting one substance to another, or calling on the services of other creatures. For wizards, these spells are generally committed to memory after a session of meditation upon a spellbook containing the details of the incantation, although sorcerers and bards know their spells innately and do not need to prepare them at all, nor do they require a spellbook. Once prepared, the spell can be cast using specific words, gestures and sometimes a specific material component.

Each spell belongs to one of eight schools. Technically, divine spells belong to schools as well, but the distinction is, for the most part, irrelevant. A wizard (but not a sorcerer) may specialize in one school, but at the expense of completely forsaking one or more others. A few spells are "universal", meaning that they belong to no particular school of magic.

;Abjuration :Abjuration spells protect, inhibit and banish and are primarily defensive. They include spells such as Dispel Magic and Resist Energy.

;Conjuration :Conjuration spells bring things into being, or brings people or objects from one place to another. They include spells such as Summon Monster and Gate.

;Divination :Divination spells reveal knowledge and things that are hidden (e.g. invisible), unfurl illusions, provide answers, read a creature's mind, predict the future or identify magic. Earlier editions of the game split Divination into two subcategories called "Lesser Divination" and "Greater Divination". They include Detect Magic and Scry.

;Enchantment :Enchantment spells are those which can affect a person or creature's mind, and hence can be quite powerful. Weak enchantments can put someone to sleep momentarily or weaken someone's intelligence, while high level enchantments can completely control a creature's mind. The primary example of this school is Charm Person.

;Evocation :Evocations are spells which create or control magical energy, which is subtly different from conjuration in that conjurations tend to create things rather than simply invoke basic elements. Many of the game's iconic offensive spells such as Magic Missile, Fireball and Cone of Cold are of the evocation school. Earlier editions of the game referred to this school as "Invocation/Evocation".

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