Can I Switch Cantrips?
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The answer to switching cantrips is generally no, as once a cantrip is chosen, it cannot be changed, except in certain circumstances or with specific class features, such as the Variant Rule in Unearthed Arcana (UA) or the Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything sourcebook, which allows spellcasters to change their cantrips under certain conditions. Cantrips are a type of spell in Dungeons & Dragons that can be cast without using up a spell slot, and they are typically chosen when a character first learns how to cast magic.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Cantrip Questions
- Can prepared casters change their cantrips every day? No, prepared casters cannot change their cantrips every day, unlike spontaneous casters who can change their cantrips when they level up or spend downtime.
- Can I switch out cantrips in all classes? No, there is no way to change cantrips in all classes, as this is a rule specific to D&D 5e.
- What is the variant rule for switching cantrips? The UA rule gives the option to swap one cantrip within the “swap 1 spell at level up” feature for all spellcasters, even for clerics.
Class-Specific Cantrip Questions
- Can druids change cantrips? According to the rules, druids pick cantrips and can never change them, but they can add more as they increase in level.
- Can artificers change their cantrips? One of the UA versions of the Artificer allows them to swap a cantrip on every long and short rest, starting at level 10.
- Can clerics change their cantrips? For Clerics, they can change their prepared spells, but not their cantrips, except with the Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything sourcebook.
- Can sorcerers change their cantrips? In the Player’s Handbook, there is no way for a sorcerer to exchange one of their known cantrips for another.
Cantrip Usage and Limitations
- Can you do 2 cantrips in one turn? Yes, you can cast as many cantrips as you have actions for, and if you cast a spell of 1st-level or higher as a bonus action, you can still cast a cantrip as your action.
- Can you have unlimited cantrips? Cantrips can be cast an unlimited number of times per day, without using up a spell slot.
- How long do cantrips last? The duration of a cantrip varies, but generally, it lasts either one round, one minute, ten minutes, or one hour.
Multiclassing and Cantrips
- Do you get new cantrips when you multiclass? Yes, cantrips come via class feature, and thus you get them when multiclassing, as stated in the Sage Advice Compendium.
- Do cantrips level up multiclass? The increase in power of a cantrip is based on your character level, not your level in a particular class.
Metamagic and Cantrips
- Does Metamagic work on cantrips? Yes, Metamagic can be used on cantrips, and there is no specific order required for casting a Metamagic spell and a cantrip.
- Can you cast a cantrip as a bonus action? No, cantrips are not bonus actions, but they can be cast as bonus actions through the Sorcerer’s Metamagic (Quickened Spell), and as reactions through the War Caster Feat.
Learning New Cantrips
- Can a wizard learn a new cantrip? The Wizard class learns a set number of cantrips by 10th level and does not learn any more by leveling, except through Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything or other specific rules.