Character Creation

Awesome, Wizards have definitely gotten stronger from the days when they started with 1d4 hit points and could be killed by a lucky roll from a house cat!

Here's how Wizard magic works in 5e! Each day you prepare a number of spells from your spellbook equal to your wizard level + your Int modifier. You also have a certain number of spells slots. When you want to cast a spell, you scratch off a spell slot. When you have no more spell slots, you can't cast spells (other than cantrips, which are minor spells that you can cast over and over forever).

For example, a Level 1 Wizard named Xortan has an Int of 16. This means they can prepare 1+3=4 spells per day. Let's say they prepare Comprehend Languages, Magic Missile, Shield, and Sleep.

First level wizards start out with 2 spell slots. So they can cast any 2 prepared spells throughout the day. It could be:

* two Magic Missiles, or
* Shield and Sleep, or
* Comprehend Languages and Magic Missile, or
* two Sleeps, and so on.

This is very different from how old version of the game worked, where you would have to prepare magic missile twice if you wanted to cast it twice in a day. Spell slots are completely generic and allow you to be flexible with your spells.

As you get up in levels, you will gain spells that are higher level and spell slots that are higher level. If you have a 9th level spell, you need to use a 9th level spell slot to cast it, you can't use a 1st level spell slot. However, some spells can be cast with a higher spell slot to get more damage or long effect. You only start with 1st level spells and slots, so you can learn this as you go.

Does this make sense? Ask more questions if you like!