Do Fey Touched Spells Count as Prepared?
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The short answer is no, spells gained from the Fey Touched feat do not count as prepared spells. This is a critical distinction that affects how spellcasting characters interact with their resources, especially for classes that rely heavily on preparing spells. While Misty Step and the chosen 1st-level spell granted by Fey Touched are definitely spells, they function differently than spells learned directly from a class. Let’s delve into why this is the case and what it means for your D&D 5e game.
How Fey Touched Spells Work
The Fey Touched feat provides a unique way for characters to access spells outside their usual class progression. It grants the following benefits:
- Ability Score Improvement: +1 to your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma score.
- Misty Step: You learn the Misty Step spell.
- 1st-Level Spell: You learn one 1st-level spell of your choice from the divination or enchantment school of magic.
- Free Casting: You can cast each of these spells once without expending a spell slot. You regain this ability upon finishing a long rest.
- Spell Slot Casting: You can also cast these spells using spell slots if you are able to do so.
The key here is that these spells are learned, not prepared. Unlike classes like Clerics, Wizards, and Druids who must select a subset of their known spells each day to be “prepared” and usable, the spells gained from Fey Touched are always available for the once-per-long-rest casting (or using a spell slot if needed). They are treated similarly to spells known by a Sorcerer or Bard.
The Implications of Not Being “Prepared”
The fact that Fey Touched spells aren’t prepared has several implications:
- No Reduction in Prepared Spells: If you are a class that prepares spells, Misty Step and your chosen 1st-level spell will not count against your number of prepared spells. You do not need to include them in your list of spells selected for the day. This frees up space to select other options.
- No Interaction With Features Modifying Prepared Spells: Since the spells are not prepared, features that affect prepared spells will not affect spells from Fey Touched. This is important to remember.
- Spellcasting Ability: The spellcasting ability for the Fey Touched spells is determined by the ability score you increased through the feat. If you increased Wisdom, your spellcasting ability for these spells is Wisdom.
- Always Known: Once you have the Fey Touched feat, you always know these spells. You can use your free casting on long rest basis, or you can expend a spell slot to use it as any other spell.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Fey Touched spells to further clarify how they function in D&D 5e:
1. Does using the free casting of Fey Touched spells count as casting a spell?
Yes, absolutely. Even though you’re not spending a spell slot, using the free cast of Misty Step or your chosen 1st-level spell still counts as casting a spell. This means it can trigger reactions and other effects that trigger when a spell is cast. It should be noted that using a spell slot will trigger that spell slot usage.
2. Can I cast both Fey Touched spells in the same turn?
Yes, but with caveats. You can cast Misty Step (which takes a bonus action) and a spell that takes a regular action, assuming you have one of each available on your turn. You can’t cast two spells using your actions, unless you have a specific feat or other feature that allows you to cast spells as a bonus action.
3. Does Misty Step from Fey Touched count against my spell slot limit?
No, it does not. The feat explicitly states you can cast it once without expending a spell slot, recharging on a long rest. However, if you choose to cast it again, then you would need to use one of your spell slots if you have it.
4. If I’m a spellcaster, can I use my spell slots to cast my Fey Touched spells?
Yes, you absolutely can. While the feat allows free casting once per long rest, it also allows you to cast them using your spell slots, if you choose to.
5. Can I change my chosen 1st-level spell from Fey Touched when I level up?
No, you cannot. Once you choose a 1st-level spell from the divination or enchantment school, it is locked in.
6. Can I choose a spell I already know as my 1st-level Fey Touched spell?
Yes, you can, but it’s often not the most efficient choice. While technically allowed by the rules, choosing a spell you already know will only allow you to cast it once for free per long rest. This makes it less attractive compared to taking another spell that might expand your options.
7. If I have multiple characters with Fey Touched, can I share free casts of Misty Step with them?
No. The free casting of Misty Step (and your chosen 1st-level spell) are specific to the character who has the Fey Touched feat. They cannot be transferred or shared between characters.
8. Can I use my Action Surge to cast both of my Fey Touched spells at once?
No. Action Surge does not give you an extra bonus action. If one of those spells is Misty Step which uses a bonus action you will need another way to cast two bonus actions.
9. Does a wizard have to have a spell in their spellbook before they can use it from Fey Touched?
No, you do not. The Fey Touched feat adds the spells directly to what you know and can cast. It is similar to Sorcerer spells. You do not need to have it in your spellbook to use it.
10. Can I use my spellcasting modifier to calculate spell attack rolls or saving throws for Fey Touched spells?
Yes, you use the spellcasting modifier (Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma) that corresponds to the ability score you increased with the Fey Touched feat.
11. Do Fey Touched spells count against the number of spells known for classes like the Sorcerer or Bard?
No, they do not. Fey Touched spells are extra spells in addition to the spells you learned by class.
12. Does the War Caster feat interact with Fey Touched Spells?
Yes, it does. War Caster lets you cast spells as a reaction, so as long as the spell from Fey Touched fulfills the requirement of being a spell cast as a reaction you can.
13. How does Fey Touched interact with a character that prepares spells, like a Cleric or Wizard?
The Fey Touched feat provides additional spells known that are always available to cast outside of the usual spells a character prepares. These spells don’t need to be prepared for the cleric or wizard to use them, so they don’t use up a slot for prepared spells.
14. Is the spellcasting ability for Fey Touched spells locked in after choosing?
Yes, it is. The spellcasting ability you increased when you took the feat dictates the spellcasting ability for your Fey Touched spells, and it cannot be changed.
15. If I take multiple Fey Touched Feats, do I gain additional casts?
No, you do not gain additional casts if you take the feat multiple times. You only get one free cast per long rest each.
Conclusion
Understanding that spells gained through the Fey Touched feat are learned but not prepared is crucial for optimizing your gameplay. They offer flexibility and additional options, but they function differently than spells learned directly from your class. By keeping these distinctions in mind, you can use the Fey Touched feat to its full potential and make your character even more effective on the battlefield.