In the world of Dungeons & Dragons, casting spells takes energy and time, meaning that you can only cast so many spells per day. This is represented through the mechanic known as spell slots. As you progress and level up your character, you’ll gain more slots, which means you can cast more spells.
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But, what happens when you run out of spell slots altogether? Does this mean you can’t cast spells anymore? Not necessarily. Just because you’ve run out of spell slots, doesn’t mean your character is useless. Here’s how to cast spells in Dungeons & Dragons without spell slots.
How Spell Slots Work
As mentioned above, spell slots are a mechanic that limits the amount of spells you can cast in a given day in Dungeons & Dragons.
Depending on your class, spell slots reset on either a short or long rest.
For example, warlocks’ spell slots reset after they take a short rest, which takes one hour, while a sorcerer’s spell slots only reset on a long rest.
Depending on your level, you have a certain number of spell slots for each spell level. For example, a seventh-level sorcerer has the following spell slot distribution.
|
Spell Level |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Slots Available |
4 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
So, if the above sorcerer casts a spell at third level, they mark off a spell slot, reducing them to two remaining slots for the day.
How To Cast Spells Without Slots
Now that we understand how to cast spells with spell slots, let’s figure out how to cast spells without spell slots. There are a handful of ways to do this.
Don’t be afraid to ask your Dungeon Master about homebrewing an effect that might allow you to cast a spell without expending a spell slot if it makes sense for your character.
For example, a non-spellcaster like a fighter might want to have the ability to cast Misty Step once per day at will without using a slot, as the character’s backstory included a mysterious visit to the Fey Realm as a child, leaving them imbued with some fey magic.
Best Ways To Cast Spells Without Slots
While many of the above methods are viable for casting spells without slots, there are a few ways to do this that often work best for players.
- Cantrips
- Magic Items
- Rituals
Cantrips
Cantrips are great, as they are available for all spellcasters. Plus, many features that might allow you to cast spells without slots often take the form of a cantrip.
For example, the Magic Initiate feat allows characters to learn two cantrips of their choice from the cleric, druid, or wizard spell list.
Magic Items
Magic items are also great for casting spells without slots, and can sometimes give you access to magical effects you wouldn’t otherwise have.
For example, the Circlet of Blasting item allows you to cast Scorching Ray with an automatic +5 to hit, regardless of your spellcasting ability once per day without expending a spell slot.
Rituals
Rituals are the next best way to cast spells without using spell slots, as many spells have the ritual tag, allowing you some flexibility.
For example, if you have the spell Alarm prepared, but realize at the end of the day that you’re out of spell slots, it’s easy enough to instead cast this spell as a ritual.
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