Is the Wizard's spellcasting modifier calculated the same way as the Cleric's spellcasting modifier?



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I've just started Playing D&D and the DM has given me inaccurate information so I need some clarification. My character is a Cleric with Wisdom 19 and follows the Trickster domain. My spellcasting modifier I think is calculated by using my proficiency bonus plus my Wisdom modifier plus the spell level. Which I think means, when casting a level 1 spell, I add +4 to it.



I'm trying to help my friend and he's playing as a wizard. Assuming what is above is accurate, does he just swaps out wisdom for intelligence, and that's how he determines his spellcasting modifier?










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  • 2




    $begingroup$
    If you're going to cite specific numbers it would be helpful if you also provided some example attributes, level and proficiency to go with it.
    $endgroup$
    – Cyberspark
    Nov 13 '18 at 16:56






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Where did you read that the spell level is included? That's not part of the rules for the spell save DC, maybe you were reading about a different RPG or past version of D&D where you saw that?
    $endgroup$
    – Captain Man
    Nov 13 '18 at 22:21











  • $begingroup$
    @CaptainMan I didn't see the cover of the book but The DM said it was a D&D book. It looked rather old so I'm guessing it was a past version of D&D.
    $endgroup$
    – caoshunter22
    Nov 13 '18 at 22:28










  • $begingroup$
    5e is the only edition with a spellcasting proficiency bonus that I know of, so I would assume that it was a 5e book, which is the most current edition.
    $endgroup$
    – Mooing Duck
    Nov 14 '18 at 0:43






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @Mooing Duck it could have been a second hand copy and worn out. In any case I bought the players handbook today so I no longer have solely on him or people on this website who I'm sure get tired of awnsering basic questions like this.
    $endgroup$
    – caoshunter22
    Nov 14 '18 at 7:53

















8












$begingroup$


I've just started Playing D&D and the DM has given me inaccurate information so I need some clarification. My character is a Cleric with Wisdom 19 and follows the Trickster domain. My spellcasting modifier I think is calculated by using my proficiency bonus plus my Wisdom modifier plus the spell level. Which I think means, when casting a level 1 spell, I add +4 to it.



I'm trying to help my friend and he's playing as a wizard. Assuming what is above is accurate, does he just swaps out wisdom for intelligence, and that's how he determines his spellcasting modifier?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$







  • 2




    $begingroup$
    If you're going to cite specific numbers it would be helpful if you also provided some example attributes, level and proficiency to go with it.
    $endgroup$
    – Cyberspark
    Nov 13 '18 at 16:56






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Where did you read that the spell level is included? That's not part of the rules for the spell save DC, maybe you were reading about a different RPG or past version of D&D where you saw that?
    $endgroup$
    – Captain Man
    Nov 13 '18 at 22:21











  • $begingroup$
    @CaptainMan I didn't see the cover of the book but The DM said it was a D&D book. It looked rather old so I'm guessing it was a past version of D&D.
    $endgroup$
    – caoshunter22
    Nov 13 '18 at 22:28










  • $begingroup$
    5e is the only edition with a spellcasting proficiency bonus that I know of, so I would assume that it was a 5e book, which is the most current edition.
    $endgroup$
    – Mooing Duck
    Nov 14 '18 at 0:43






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @Mooing Duck it could have been a second hand copy and worn out. In any case I bought the players handbook today so I no longer have solely on him or people on this website who I'm sure get tired of awnsering basic questions like this.
    $endgroup$
    – caoshunter22
    Nov 14 '18 at 7:53













8












8








8





$begingroup$


I've just started Playing D&D and the DM has given me inaccurate information so I need some clarification. My character is a Cleric with Wisdom 19 and follows the Trickster domain. My spellcasting modifier I think is calculated by using my proficiency bonus plus my Wisdom modifier plus the spell level. Which I think means, when casting a level 1 spell, I add +4 to it.



I'm trying to help my friend and he's playing as a wizard. Assuming what is above is accurate, does he just swaps out wisdom for intelligence, and that's how he determines his spellcasting modifier?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$




I've just started Playing D&D and the DM has given me inaccurate information so I need some clarification. My character is a Cleric with Wisdom 19 and follows the Trickster domain. My spellcasting modifier I think is calculated by using my proficiency bonus plus my Wisdom modifier plus the spell level. Which I think means, when casting a level 1 spell, I add +4 to it.



I'm trying to help my friend and he's playing as a wizard. Assuming what is above is accurate, does he just swaps out wisdom for intelligence, and that's how he determines his spellcasting modifier?







dnd-5e spells






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edited Nov 14 '18 at 22:11









SevenSidedDie

209k33670951




209k33670951










asked Nov 13 '18 at 16:53









caoshunter22caoshunter22

1076




1076







  • 2




    $begingroup$
    If you're going to cite specific numbers it would be helpful if you also provided some example attributes, level and proficiency to go with it.
    $endgroup$
    – Cyberspark
    Nov 13 '18 at 16:56






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Where did you read that the spell level is included? That's not part of the rules for the spell save DC, maybe you were reading about a different RPG or past version of D&D where you saw that?
    $endgroup$
    – Captain Man
    Nov 13 '18 at 22:21











  • $begingroup$
    @CaptainMan I didn't see the cover of the book but The DM said it was a D&D book. It looked rather old so I'm guessing it was a past version of D&D.
    $endgroup$
    – caoshunter22
    Nov 13 '18 at 22:28










  • $begingroup$
    5e is the only edition with a spellcasting proficiency bonus that I know of, so I would assume that it was a 5e book, which is the most current edition.
    $endgroup$
    – Mooing Duck
    Nov 14 '18 at 0:43






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @Mooing Duck it could have been a second hand copy and worn out. In any case I bought the players handbook today so I no longer have solely on him or people on this website who I'm sure get tired of awnsering basic questions like this.
    $endgroup$
    – caoshunter22
    Nov 14 '18 at 7:53












  • 2




    $begingroup$
    If you're going to cite specific numbers it would be helpful if you also provided some example attributes, level and proficiency to go with it.
    $endgroup$
    – Cyberspark
    Nov 13 '18 at 16:56






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Where did you read that the spell level is included? That's not part of the rules for the spell save DC, maybe you were reading about a different RPG or past version of D&D where you saw that?
    $endgroup$
    – Captain Man
    Nov 13 '18 at 22:21











  • $begingroup$
    @CaptainMan I didn't see the cover of the book but The DM said it was a D&D book. It looked rather old so I'm guessing it was a past version of D&D.
    $endgroup$
    – caoshunter22
    Nov 13 '18 at 22:28










  • $begingroup$
    5e is the only edition with a spellcasting proficiency bonus that I know of, so I would assume that it was a 5e book, which is the most current edition.
    $endgroup$
    – Mooing Duck
    Nov 14 '18 at 0:43






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @Mooing Duck it could have been a second hand copy and worn out. In any case I bought the players handbook today so I no longer have solely on him or people on this website who I'm sure get tired of awnsering basic questions like this.
    $endgroup$
    – caoshunter22
    Nov 14 '18 at 7:53







2




2




$begingroup$
If you're going to cite specific numbers it would be helpful if you also provided some example attributes, level and proficiency to go with it.
$endgroup$
– Cyberspark
Nov 13 '18 at 16:56




$begingroup$
If you're going to cite specific numbers it would be helpful if you also provided some example attributes, level and proficiency to go with it.
$endgroup$
– Cyberspark
Nov 13 '18 at 16:56




3




3




$begingroup$
Where did you read that the spell level is included? That's not part of the rules for the spell save DC, maybe you were reading about a different RPG or past version of D&D where you saw that?
$endgroup$
– Captain Man
Nov 13 '18 at 22:21





$begingroup$
Where did you read that the spell level is included? That's not part of the rules for the spell save DC, maybe you were reading about a different RPG or past version of D&D where you saw that?
$endgroup$
– Captain Man
Nov 13 '18 at 22:21













$begingroup$
@CaptainMan I didn't see the cover of the book but The DM said it was a D&D book. It looked rather old so I'm guessing it was a past version of D&D.
$endgroup$
– caoshunter22
Nov 13 '18 at 22:28




$begingroup$
@CaptainMan I didn't see the cover of the book but The DM said it was a D&D book. It looked rather old so I'm guessing it was a past version of D&D.
$endgroup$
– caoshunter22
Nov 13 '18 at 22:28












$begingroup$
5e is the only edition with a spellcasting proficiency bonus that I know of, so I would assume that it was a 5e book, which is the most current edition.
$endgroup$
– Mooing Duck
Nov 14 '18 at 0:43




$begingroup$
5e is the only edition with a spellcasting proficiency bonus that I know of, so I would assume that it was a 5e book, which is the most current edition.
$endgroup$
– Mooing Duck
Nov 14 '18 at 0:43




1




1




$begingroup$
@Mooing Duck it could have been a second hand copy and worn out. In any case I bought the players handbook today so I no longer have solely on him or people on this website who I'm sure get tired of awnsering basic questions like this.
$endgroup$
– caoshunter22
Nov 14 '18 at 7:53




$begingroup$
@Mooing Duck it could have been a second hand copy and worn out. In any case I bought the players handbook today so I no longer have solely on him or people on this website who I'm sure get tired of awnsering basic questions like this.
$endgroup$
– caoshunter22
Nov 14 '18 at 7:53










4 Answers
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In 5th edition D&D, all calculations are basically the same for similar purposes.



Spell casters always use the same calculation with their "spellcasting modifier" being based on the specific attribute that their spells are based on. This is Intelligence for Wizards and Wisdom for Clerics.



The proficiency modifier will start at a +2. Many, if not most, characters will start with a +3 in their spellcasting attribute, though some builds will have a +2.



That said, spell level is not used in these checks (For Clerics, you can look at page 22 of the Basic Rules).



The two relevant calculations are as follows:



  • Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier


  • Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier


The spell save is the difficulty for others to resist your spells.
The spell attack is for rolls to hit the opponent's armor class with your spells.



Wizards are listed on page 30 of the basic rules and state:



  • Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier

  • Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier

As you can see, they are identical, save your spellcasting ability for the class being different.






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  • $begingroup$
    The OP is asking for "spellcasting modifier" which could as easily mean "spellcasting ability modifier", which you don't mention. See my answer for more detail.
    $endgroup$
    – SirTechSpec
    Nov 13 '18 at 22:34










  • $begingroup$
    That would be a minor semantic detail to clarify. I used the term "spellcasting modifier" in quotes because it was the OPs terminology, but quoted the Basic Rules directly for their calculations. You can add a line about spellcasting ability modifier vs spellcasting modifier to my answer if you choose. I simply didn't consider the difference significant enough to warrant a comment. I do get your point, though, and pedantically, you are accurate.
    $endgroup$
    – Aviose
    Nov 14 '18 at 21:30


















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The cleric and wizard calculate their spellcasting numbers the same way



The way to calculate the cleric and wizard spellcasting ability is defined on pages 58 and 114 of the Player's Handbook respectively. The only difference is that the cleric uses Wisdom and the wizard uses Intelligence.



  • For spells with an attack modifier (e.g. a ray you shoot at a target), the bonus is equal to your proficiency bonus (at level 1, this is +2) plus your Int modifier (for wizard) or Wis modifier (for cleric). You would roll 1d20 plus this modifier to see if you hit.

  • For spells with a save DC (e.g. charm person, the opponent rolls a saving through against your fixed number), the DC is equal to 8 plus your proficiency bonus plus your Int or Wis modifier.

For example, take a 1st level cleric with 15 Wis, so his Wis modifier is +2 and his proficiency bonus is also +2:



  • If he casts inflict wounds, the spell calls for a melee spell attack, for which he rolls 1d20+4 (+2 from proficiency, +2 from Wis).

  • If he casts command, the spell requires the target creature to make a saving throw, which must succeed at a DC of 12 (base 8, +2 proficiency, +2 Wis).

Note that neither the Wis bonus nor proficiency bonus add to anything else (unless the individual spell description says they do); they don't add to spell damage, for example. Nor does the spell level add to the save DC as it did in earlier editions of D&D.



Consult Chapter 10 of the Player's Handbook for the complete rules on spellcasting.






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    The terminology is a bit confusing. DND5E doesn't have a technical term called "spellcasting modifier". There are three different numbers that you want to keep straight when you're thinking about spellcasting. For example, suppose Alice is a level 1 Cleric with 14 Wisdom, and Bob is a level 1 Wizard with 17 Intelligence.



    • Your spellcasting ability modifier is used for certain specific circumstances (healing with Cure Wounds, the damage bonus for Warlocks doing certain things, etc.) and to calculate the other two. It's just the modifier associated with your spellcasting ability. Alice's is +2 and Bob's is +3.

    • Your spell save DC is used when monsters have to make a saving throw to e.g. dodge one of your fireballs or resist one of your commands. This is 8 + your spellcasting ability modifier + your proficiency bonus. For Alice this is 12; for Bob it's 13.

    • Your spell attack modifier is used with spells that require an attack roll, like guiding bolt or ray of frost. It's equal to your spellcasting ability modifier + your proficiency bonus. This works out to +4 for Alice, and +5 for Bob.





    share|improve this answer











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      The save DC's are calculated the same,



      however you are calculating them wrong. A save DC is calculating 8 + proficiency bonus (+2 at level 1) + spellcasting stat modifier (+3 from WIS for a cleric with 16 or 17 wisdom). For a wizard it would be 8 + proficiency + INT modifier.






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      • 4




        $begingroup$
        FYI, the post has been clarified.
        $endgroup$
        – doppelgreener
        Nov 13 '18 at 18:00











      Your Answer





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      4 Answers
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      4 Answers
      4






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      21












      $begingroup$

      In 5th edition D&D, all calculations are basically the same for similar purposes.



      Spell casters always use the same calculation with their "spellcasting modifier" being based on the specific attribute that their spells are based on. This is Intelligence for Wizards and Wisdom for Clerics.



      The proficiency modifier will start at a +2. Many, if not most, characters will start with a +3 in their spellcasting attribute, though some builds will have a +2.



      That said, spell level is not used in these checks (For Clerics, you can look at page 22 of the Basic Rules).



      The two relevant calculations are as follows:



      • Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier


      • Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier


      The spell save is the difficulty for others to resist your spells.
      The spell attack is for rolls to hit the opponent's armor class with your spells.



      Wizards are listed on page 30 of the basic rules and state:



      • Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier

      • Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier

      As you can see, they are identical, save your spellcasting ability for the class being different.






      share|improve this answer









      $endgroup$












      • $begingroup$
        The OP is asking for "spellcasting modifier" which could as easily mean "spellcasting ability modifier", which you don't mention. See my answer for more detail.
        $endgroup$
        – SirTechSpec
        Nov 13 '18 at 22:34










      • $begingroup$
        That would be a minor semantic detail to clarify. I used the term "spellcasting modifier" in quotes because it was the OPs terminology, but quoted the Basic Rules directly for their calculations. You can add a line about spellcasting ability modifier vs spellcasting modifier to my answer if you choose. I simply didn't consider the difference significant enough to warrant a comment. I do get your point, though, and pedantically, you are accurate.
        $endgroup$
        – Aviose
        Nov 14 '18 at 21:30















      21












      $begingroup$

      In 5th edition D&D, all calculations are basically the same for similar purposes.



      Spell casters always use the same calculation with their "spellcasting modifier" being based on the specific attribute that their spells are based on. This is Intelligence for Wizards and Wisdom for Clerics.



      The proficiency modifier will start at a +2. Many, if not most, characters will start with a +3 in their spellcasting attribute, though some builds will have a +2.



      That said, spell level is not used in these checks (For Clerics, you can look at page 22 of the Basic Rules).



      The two relevant calculations are as follows:



      • Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier


      • Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier


      The spell save is the difficulty for others to resist your spells.
      The spell attack is for rolls to hit the opponent's armor class with your spells.



      Wizards are listed on page 30 of the basic rules and state:



      • Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier

      • Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier

      As you can see, they are identical, save your spellcasting ability for the class being different.






      share|improve this answer









      $endgroup$












      • $begingroup$
        The OP is asking for "spellcasting modifier" which could as easily mean "spellcasting ability modifier", which you don't mention. See my answer for more detail.
        $endgroup$
        – SirTechSpec
        Nov 13 '18 at 22:34










      • $begingroup$
        That would be a minor semantic detail to clarify. I used the term "spellcasting modifier" in quotes because it was the OPs terminology, but quoted the Basic Rules directly for their calculations. You can add a line about spellcasting ability modifier vs spellcasting modifier to my answer if you choose. I simply didn't consider the difference significant enough to warrant a comment. I do get your point, though, and pedantically, you are accurate.
        $endgroup$
        – Aviose
        Nov 14 '18 at 21:30













      21












      21








      21





      $begingroup$

      In 5th edition D&D, all calculations are basically the same for similar purposes.



      Spell casters always use the same calculation with their "spellcasting modifier" being based on the specific attribute that their spells are based on. This is Intelligence for Wizards and Wisdom for Clerics.



      The proficiency modifier will start at a +2. Many, if not most, characters will start with a +3 in their spellcasting attribute, though some builds will have a +2.



      That said, spell level is not used in these checks (For Clerics, you can look at page 22 of the Basic Rules).



      The two relevant calculations are as follows:



      • Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier


      • Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier


      The spell save is the difficulty for others to resist your spells.
      The spell attack is for rolls to hit the opponent's armor class with your spells.



      Wizards are listed on page 30 of the basic rules and state:



      • Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier

      • Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier

      As you can see, they are identical, save your spellcasting ability for the class being different.






      share|improve this answer









      $endgroup$



      In 5th edition D&D, all calculations are basically the same for similar purposes.



      Spell casters always use the same calculation with their "spellcasting modifier" being based on the specific attribute that their spells are based on. This is Intelligence for Wizards and Wisdom for Clerics.



      The proficiency modifier will start at a +2. Many, if not most, characters will start with a +3 in their spellcasting attribute, though some builds will have a +2.



      That said, spell level is not used in these checks (For Clerics, you can look at page 22 of the Basic Rules).



      The two relevant calculations are as follows:



      • Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier


      • Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier


      The spell save is the difficulty for others to resist your spells.
      The spell attack is for rolls to hit the opponent's armor class with your spells.



      Wizards are listed on page 30 of the basic rules and state:



      • Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier

      • Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier

      As you can see, they are identical, save your spellcasting ability for the class being different.







      share|improve this answer












      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer










      answered Nov 13 '18 at 18:13









      AvioseAviose

      6,61722853




      6,61722853











      • $begingroup$
        The OP is asking for "spellcasting modifier" which could as easily mean "spellcasting ability modifier", which you don't mention. See my answer for more detail.
        $endgroup$
        – SirTechSpec
        Nov 13 '18 at 22:34










      • $begingroup$
        That would be a minor semantic detail to clarify. I used the term "spellcasting modifier" in quotes because it was the OPs terminology, but quoted the Basic Rules directly for their calculations. You can add a line about spellcasting ability modifier vs spellcasting modifier to my answer if you choose. I simply didn't consider the difference significant enough to warrant a comment. I do get your point, though, and pedantically, you are accurate.
        $endgroup$
        – Aviose
        Nov 14 '18 at 21:30
















      • $begingroup$
        The OP is asking for "spellcasting modifier" which could as easily mean "spellcasting ability modifier", which you don't mention. See my answer for more detail.
        $endgroup$
        – SirTechSpec
        Nov 13 '18 at 22:34










      • $begingroup$
        That would be a minor semantic detail to clarify. I used the term "spellcasting modifier" in quotes because it was the OPs terminology, but quoted the Basic Rules directly for their calculations. You can add a line about spellcasting ability modifier vs spellcasting modifier to my answer if you choose. I simply didn't consider the difference significant enough to warrant a comment. I do get your point, though, and pedantically, you are accurate.
        $endgroup$
        – Aviose
        Nov 14 '18 at 21:30















      $begingroup$
      The OP is asking for "spellcasting modifier" which could as easily mean "spellcasting ability modifier", which you don't mention. See my answer for more detail.
      $endgroup$
      – SirTechSpec
      Nov 13 '18 at 22:34




      $begingroup$
      The OP is asking for "spellcasting modifier" which could as easily mean "spellcasting ability modifier", which you don't mention. See my answer for more detail.
      $endgroup$
      – SirTechSpec
      Nov 13 '18 at 22:34












      $begingroup$
      That would be a minor semantic detail to clarify. I used the term "spellcasting modifier" in quotes because it was the OPs terminology, but quoted the Basic Rules directly for their calculations. You can add a line about spellcasting ability modifier vs spellcasting modifier to my answer if you choose. I simply didn't consider the difference significant enough to warrant a comment. I do get your point, though, and pedantically, you are accurate.
      $endgroup$
      – Aviose
      Nov 14 '18 at 21:30




      $begingroup$
      That would be a minor semantic detail to clarify. I used the term "spellcasting modifier" in quotes because it was the OPs terminology, but quoted the Basic Rules directly for their calculations. You can add a line about spellcasting ability modifier vs spellcasting modifier to my answer if you choose. I simply didn't consider the difference significant enough to warrant a comment. I do get your point, though, and pedantically, you are accurate.
      $endgroup$
      – Aviose
      Nov 14 '18 at 21:30













      12












      $begingroup$

      The cleric and wizard calculate their spellcasting numbers the same way



      The way to calculate the cleric and wizard spellcasting ability is defined on pages 58 and 114 of the Player's Handbook respectively. The only difference is that the cleric uses Wisdom and the wizard uses Intelligence.



      • For spells with an attack modifier (e.g. a ray you shoot at a target), the bonus is equal to your proficiency bonus (at level 1, this is +2) plus your Int modifier (for wizard) or Wis modifier (for cleric). You would roll 1d20 plus this modifier to see if you hit.

      • For spells with a save DC (e.g. charm person, the opponent rolls a saving through against your fixed number), the DC is equal to 8 plus your proficiency bonus plus your Int or Wis modifier.

      For example, take a 1st level cleric with 15 Wis, so his Wis modifier is +2 and his proficiency bonus is also +2:



      • If he casts inflict wounds, the spell calls for a melee spell attack, for which he rolls 1d20+4 (+2 from proficiency, +2 from Wis).

      • If he casts command, the spell requires the target creature to make a saving throw, which must succeed at a DC of 12 (base 8, +2 proficiency, +2 Wis).

      Note that neither the Wis bonus nor proficiency bonus add to anything else (unless the individual spell description says they do); they don't add to spell damage, for example. Nor does the spell level add to the save DC as it did in earlier editions of D&D.



      Consult Chapter 10 of the Player's Handbook for the complete rules on spellcasting.






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$

















        12












        $begingroup$

        The cleric and wizard calculate their spellcasting numbers the same way



        The way to calculate the cleric and wizard spellcasting ability is defined on pages 58 and 114 of the Player's Handbook respectively. The only difference is that the cleric uses Wisdom and the wizard uses Intelligence.



        • For spells with an attack modifier (e.g. a ray you shoot at a target), the bonus is equal to your proficiency bonus (at level 1, this is +2) plus your Int modifier (for wizard) or Wis modifier (for cleric). You would roll 1d20 plus this modifier to see if you hit.

        • For spells with a save DC (e.g. charm person, the opponent rolls a saving through against your fixed number), the DC is equal to 8 plus your proficiency bonus plus your Int or Wis modifier.

        For example, take a 1st level cleric with 15 Wis, so his Wis modifier is +2 and his proficiency bonus is also +2:



        • If he casts inflict wounds, the spell calls for a melee spell attack, for which he rolls 1d20+4 (+2 from proficiency, +2 from Wis).

        • If he casts command, the spell requires the target creature to make a saving throw, which must succeed at a DC of 12 (base 8, +2 proficiency, +2 Wis).

        Note that neither the Wis bonus nor proficiency bonus add to anything else (unless the individual spell description says they do); they don't add to spell damage, for example. Nor does the spell level add to the save DC as it did in earlier editions of D&D.



        Consult Chapter 10 of the Player's Handbook for the complete rules on spellcasting.






        share|improve this answer











        $endgroup$















          12












          12








          12





          $begingroup$

          The cleric and wizard calculate their spellcasting numbers the same way



          The way to calculate the cleric and wizard spellcasting ability is defined on pages 58 and 114 of the Player's Handbook respectively. The only difference is that the cleric uses Wisdom and the wizard uses Intelligence.



          • For spells with an attack modifier (e.g. a ray you shoot at a target), the bonus is equal to your proficiency bonus (at level 1, this is +2) plus your Int modifier (for wizard) or Wis modifier (for cleric). You would roll 1d20 plus this modifier to see if you hit.

          • For spells with a save DC (e.g. charm person, the opponent rolls a saving through against your fixed number), the DC is equal to 8 plus your proficiency bonus plus your Int or Wis modifier.

          For example, take a 1st level cleric with 15 Wis, so his Wis modifier is +2 and his proficiency bonus is also +2:



          • If he casts inflict wounds, the spell calls for a melee spell attack, for which he rolls 1d20+4 (+2 from proficiency, +2 from Wis).

          • If he casts command, the spell requires the target creature to make a saving throw, which must succeed at a DC of 12 (base 8, +2 proficiency, +2 Wis).

          Note that neither the Wis bonus nor proficiency bonus add to anything else (unless the individual spell description says they do); they don't add to spell damage, for example. Nor does the spell level add to the save DC as it did in earlier editions of D&D.



          Consult Chapter 10 of the Player's Handbook for the complete rules on spellcasting.






          share|improve this answer











          $endgroup$



          The cleric and wizard calculate their spellcasting numbers the same way



          The way to calculate the cleric and wizard spellcasting ability is defined on pages 58 and 114 of the Player's Handbook respectively. The only difference is that the cleric uses Wisdom and the wizard uses Intelligence.



          • For spells with an attack modifier (e.g. a ray you shoot at a target), the bonus is equal to your proficiency bonus (at level 1, this is +2) plus your Int modifier (for wizard) or Wis modifier (for cleric). You would roll 1d20 plus this modifier to see if you hit.

          • For spells with a save DC (e.g. charm person, the opponent rolls a saving through against your fixed number), the DC is equal to 8 plus your proficiency bonus plus your Int or Wis modifier.

          For example, take a 1st level cleric with 15 Wis, so his Wis modifier is +2 and his proficiency bonus is also +2:



          • If he casts inflict wounds, the spell calls for a melee spell attack, for which he rolls 1d20+4 (+2 from proficiency, +2 from Wis).

          • If he casts command, the spell requires the target creature to make a saving throw, which must succeed at a DC of 12 (base 8, +2 proficiency, +2 Wis).

          Note that neither the Wis bonus nor proficiency bonus add to anything else (unless the individual spell description says they do); they don't add to spell damage, for example. Nor does the spell level add to the save DC as it did in earlier editions of D&D.



          Consult Chapter 10 of the Player's Handbook for the complete rules on spellcasting.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Nov 14 '18 at 16:32









          NathanS

          26.8k9128281




          26.8k9128281










          answered Nov 13 '18 at 18:10









          Quadratic WizardQuadratic Wizard

          31.3k3105168




          31.3k3105168





















              4












              $begingroup$

              The terminology is a bit confusing. DND5E doesn't have a technical term called "spellcasting modifier". There are three different numbers that you want to keep straight when you're thinking about spellcasting. For example, suppose Alice is a level 1 Cleric with 14 Wisdom, and Bob is a level 1 Wizard with 17 Intelligence.



              • Your spellcasting ability modifier is used for certain specific circumstances (healing with Cure Wounds, the damage bonus for Warlocks doing certain things, etc.) and to calculate the other two. It's just the modifier associated with your spellcasting ability. Alice's is +2 and Bob's is +3.

              • Your spell save DC is used when monsters have to make a saving throw to e.g. dodge one of your fireballs or resist one of your commands. This is 8 + your spellcasting ability modifier + your proficiency bonus. For Alice this is 12; for Bob it's 13.

              • Your spell attack modifier is used with spells that require an attack roll, like guiding bolt or ray of frost. It's equal to your spellcasting ability modifier + your proficiency bonus. This works out to +4 for Alice, and +5 for Bob.





              share|improve this answer











              $endgroup$

















                4












                $begingroup$

                The terminology is a bit confusing. DND5E doesn't have a technical term called "spellcasting modifier". There are three different numbers that you want to keep straight when you're thinking about spellcasting. For example, suppose Alice is a level 1 Cleric with 14 Wisdom, and Bob is a level 1 Wizard with 17 Intelligence.



                • Your spellcasting ability modifier is used for certain specific circumstances (healing with Cure Wounds, the damage bonus for Warlocks doing certain things, etc.) and to calculate the other two. It's just the modifier associated with your spellcasting ability. Alice's is +2 and Bob's is +3.

                • Your spell save DC is used when monsters have to make a saving throw to e.g. dodge one of your fireballs or resist one of your commands. This is 8 + your spellcasting ability modifier + your proficiency bonus. For Alice this is 12; for Bob it's 13.

                • Your spell attack modifier is used with spells that require an attack roll, like guiding bolt or ray of frost. It's equal to your spellcasting ability modifier + your proficiency bonus. This works out to +4 for Alice, and +5 for Bob.





                share|improve this answer











                $endgroup$















                  4












                  4








                  4





                  $begingroup$

                  The terminology is a bit confusing. DND5E doesn't have a technical term called "spellcasting modifier". There are three different numbers that you want to keep straight when you're thinking about spellcasting. For example, suppose Alice is a level 1 Cleric with 14 Wisdom, and Bob is a level 1 Wizard with 17 Intelligence.



                  • Your spellcasting ability modifier is used for certain specific circumstances (healing with Cure Wounds, the damage bonus for Warlocks doing certain things, etc.) and to calculate the other two. It's just the modifier associated with your spellcasting ability. Alice's is +2 and Bob's is +3.

                  • Your spell save DC is used when monsters have to make a saving throw to e.g. dodge one of your fireballs or resist one of your commands. This is 8 + your spellcasting ability modifier + your proficiency bonus. For Alice this is 12; for Bob it's 13.

                  • Your spell attack modifier is used with spells that require an attack roll, like guiding bolt or ray of frost. It's equal to your spellcasting ability modifier + your proficiency bonus. This works out to +4 for Alice, and +5 for Bob.





                  share|improve this answer











                  $endgroup$



                  The terminology is a bit confusing. DND5E doesn't have a technical term called "spellcasting modifier". There are three different numbers that you want to keep straight when you're thinking about spellcasting. For example, suppose Alice is a level 1 Cleric with 14 Wisdom, and Bob is a level 1 Wizard with 17 Intelligence.



                  • Your spellcasting ability modifier is used for certain specific circumstances (healing with Cure Wounds, the damage bonus for Warlocks doing certain things, etc.) and to calculate the other two. It's just the modifier associated with your spellcasting ability. Alice's is +2 and Bob's is +3.

                  • Your spell save DC is used when monsters have to make a saving throw to e.g. dodge one of your fireballs or resist one of your commands. This is 8 + your spellcasting ability modifier + your proficiency bonus. For Alice this is 12; for Bob it's 13.

                  • Your spell attack modifier is used with spells that require an attack roll, like guiding bolt or ray of frost. It's equal to your spellcasting ability modifier + your proficiency bonus. This works out to +4 for Alice, and +5 for Bob.






                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited Nov 14 '18 at 21:49

























                  answered Nov 13 '18 at 22:32









                  SirTechSpecSirTechSpec

                  12.3k445110




                  12.3k445110





















                      1












                      $begingroup$

                      The save DC's are calculated the same,



                      however you are calculating them wrong. A save DC is calculating 8 + proficiency bonus (+2 at level 1) + spellcasting stat modifier (+3 from WIS for a cleric with 16 or 17 wisdom). For a wizard it would be 8 + proficiency + INT modifier.






                      share|improve this answer









                      $endgroup$








                      • 4




                        $begingroup$
                        FYI, the post has been clarified.
                        $endgroup$
                        – doppelgreener
                        Nov 13 '18 at 18:00















                      1












                      $begingroup$

                      The save DC's are calculated the same,



                      however you are calculating them wrong. A save DC is calculating 8 + proficiency bonus (+2 at level 1) + spellcasting stat modifier (+3 from WIS for a cleric with 16 or 17 wisdom). For a wizard it would be 8 + proficiency + INT modifier.






                      share|improve this answer









                      $endgroup$








                      • 4




                        $begingroup$
                        FYI, the post has been clarified.
                        $endgroup$
                        – doppelgreener
                        Nov 13 '18 at 18:00













                      1












                      1








                      1





                      $begingroup$

                      The save DC's are calculated the same,



                      however you are calculating them wrong. A save DC is calculating 8 + proficiency bonus (+2 at level 1) + spellcasting stat modifier (+3 from WIS for a cleric with 16 or 17 wisdom). For a wizard it would be 8 + proficiency + INT modifier.






                      share|improve this answer









                      $endgroup$



                      The save DC's are calculated the same,



                      however you are calculating them wrong. A save DC is calculating 8 + proficiency bonus (+2 at level 1) + spellcasting stat modifier (+3 from WIS for a cleric with 16 or 17 wisdom). For a wizard it would be 8 + proficiency + INT modifier.







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered Nov 13 '18 at 16:58









                      NathanNathan

                      286210




                      286210







                      • 4




                        $begingroup$
                        FYI, the post has been clarified.
                        $endgroup$
                        – doppelgreener
                        Nov 13 '18 at 18:00












                      • 4




                        $begingroup$
                        FYI, the post has been clarified.
                        $endgroup$
                        – doppelgreener
                        Nov 13 '18 at 18:00







                      4




                      4




                      $begingroup$
                      FYI, the post has been clarified.
                      $endgroup$
                      – doppelgreener
                      Nov 13 '18 at 18:00




                      $begingroup$
                      FYI, the post has been clarified.
                      $endgroup$
                      – doppelgreener
                      Nov 13 '18 at 18:00

















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