Can a Non-Spellcaster Use a Ring of Spell Storing?
The short answer is a resounding yes. A Ring of Spell Storing is a fantastic magic item precisely because it allows any creature, regardless of their spellcasting abilities, to unleash powerful magic. While the process of storing spells within the ring requires a spellcaster, once a spell is tucked away, anyone who wears the ring can access and cast those stored spells. This makes the Ring of Spell Storing a highly sought-after item, capable of bridging the gap between mundane combatants and the arcane.
Understanding the Ring of Spell Storing
The Ring of Spell Storing functions as a vessel for magical energy. A spellcaster can cast a spell of 1st through 5th level into the ring by physically touching it during the casting. The spell’s effect is negated, but its magical energy is stored within the ring. Crucially, the ring itself becomes the conduit through which the stored spell can later be unleashed. The original caster has no further connection with the spell once it is stored. It is then completely available to the ring’s user.
How a Non-Spellcaster Benefits
For a non-spellcaster, this presents an incredible opportunity. A fighter, rogue, or barbarian, who might otherwise be limited to martial prowess, can suddenly access spells like Fireball, Haste, or Healing Word. This opens up a world of tactical possibilities, allowing these classes to contribute in ways previously unimaginable. Imagine a barbarian charging into battle, suddenly unleashing a powerful lightning bolt through the ring, or a rogue making a daring escape with a well-timed invisibility spell cast from their ring.
Important Considerations
While the Ring of Spell Storing is incredibly versatile, there are several crucial points to keep in mind.
- Components: Casting a spell from the ring still requires the necessary material components, unless the spell states it requires only verbal or somatic components, or the component has been removed due to a spell casting feat. This can be a challenge for classes that tend to have their hands full, such as paladins in full armor.
- Spell Levels: The ring can hold spells of 1st to 5th level. You are not able to store higher level spells even if they were upcasted to the higher levels by their original caster.
- Attunement: The Ring of Spell Storing requires attunement, meaning a character must spend a short rest focusing on the item to unlock its magical potential. A character can only be attuned to one Ring of Spell Storing at a time.
- Casting Rules: When a creature casts a spell from the ring, the spell uses the slot level, spell save DC, spell attack bonus, and spellcasting ability of the original caster who stored the spell. This is incredibly important to remember as a low level caster may be storing a spell in the ring for a much higher level character.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of using a Ring of Spell Storing:
1. Can a Warlock effectively use a Ring of Spell Storing?
Warlocks are at a disadvantage with the Ring of Spell Storing because they have no control over which level of spell slot they use when casting a spell. Therefore, they cannot easily manage the number of spells stored in the ring. Their flexible spell slots often make it difficult to keep a consistent level of spells in the ring, making it less reliable for their use compared to other spellcasters.
2. Can a Paladin use a Ring of Spell Storing?
Yes, paladins can use a Ring of Spell Storing, but they need to be mindful of material components. Casting a spell requires the appropriate components, which could be problematic for a paladin wielding weapons and armor. They need to consider how they’ll access the components while engaged in combat.
3. Can a familiar use a Ring of Spell Storing?
Yes, a familiar can use a Ring of Spell Storing as long as the spell they cast doesn’t require an attack roll. The familiar can execute any spell that doesn’t depend on hitting an enemy with an attack roll from the ring. A familiar could be invaluable for casting spells like Invisibility, Fly, or Healing Word, making use of its small size for battlefield positioning.
4. Can you attune to two Rings of Spell Storing?
No, a creature can not attune to more than one copy of the same item. You can only be attuned to one Ring of Spell Storing at a time.
5. Can a familiar use other magic items like Caltrops and Ball Bearings?
Yes, familiars can use simple items like caltrops and ball bearings to manipulate the battlefield or stabalize a teammate if the have the required skill or ability. These inexpensive items can be very useful when tactically deployed by a familiar.
6. Can you use metamagic with the Ring of Spell Storing?
No, the Ring of Spell Storing does not store metamagic options. When casting a spell from the ring, it’s treated as if the original caster cast the spell without metamagic. The ring only transfers the spell’s core magical properties, not any additional modifiers from metamagic.
7. Can you use non-paladin spell slots for Divine Smite?
Yes, you can use any spell slot, regardless of its source, for Divine Smite. The spell slots don’t need to be specifically from the paladin class. Divine Smite just requires spell slots, making it flexible for characters multiclassing with paladin.
8. What’s the difference between Warlock spell slots and other spellcasting classes?
Warlocks have a unique spell slot system that replenishes on a short rest instead of a long rest. Instead of having lower level slots and higher level slots, the Warlock’s lower spell slots upgrade to higher level slots as they level. This allows them to cast fewer, more powerful spells and to recharge more frequently. This difference in the spell slot system affects how they can use items like the Ring of Spell Storing.
9. Does Witch Bolt require multiple spell slots?
No, Witch Bolt only requires an initial spell slot. The additional damage in subsequent turns doesn’t require additional spell slots, making it very efficient once cast. Once the spell is active it is an additional effect of that spell.
10. Can a Ring of Spell Storing be Counterspelled?
No, the effect of a Ring of Spell Storing cannot be counterspelled because when the character uses a spell from the ring they are not actually casting a spell but rather using a stored spell. The ring itself releases the stored magic, rather than the user casting it.
11. Does a Ring of Invisibility require Attunement?
Yes, a Ring of Invisibility requires attunement. Once attuned, the user can use an action to become invisible, but they become visible again when they attack, cast a spell, or use a bonus action to become visible.
12. Is there a limit to how many rings you can wear?
Yes, the limit is generally 10 rings at once, as long as they don’t require attunement. However, you cannot wear duplicate magic items and receive the benefit of both. If you have two of the same item only one will function properly.
13. What is the highest spell slot for Divine Smite?
There is no maximum spell slot level for Divine Smite other than the maximum spell slot you can access from a class. The damage starts at 1d8 and increases by 1d8 for each level of the slot used up to a maximum of 5d8, and is increased an additional d8 when fighting fiends or undead.
14. Does Eldritch Smite require a warlock spell slot?
Yes, Eldritch Smite specifically requires a warlock spell slot. You cannot use spell slots from other classes to power this ability. It must be from the warlock’s limited supply of slots.
15. What rarity is the Ring of Spell Storing?
The Ring of Spell Storing is classified as an ultra-rare item, indicating its immense power and the difficulty in acquiring one. This high rarity reflects its flexibility and potential impact on a party, making it a highly valued treasure.
Conclusion
The Ring of Spell Storing is a powerful and flexible magic item that can greatly enhance the capabilities of any character, especially those who lack innate spellcasting abilities. By understanding its mechanics, limitations, and interactions with other game rules, players and DMs can fully leverage its power and create engaging and unique combat scenarios. From allowing a fighter to cast a healing spell to allowing a rogue to sneak past an enemy with invisibility, it is a tool with limitless applications.