Does Long Rest Restore All Spell Slots? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, the general rule in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e) is that a long rest restores all expended spell slots for most spellcasting classes. This is a fundamental mechanic that allows spellcasters to continue utilizing their magical abilities effectively. However, there are nuances, exceptions, and other methods of spell slot recovery that we’ll explore in this article. It’s important to understand the interplay between long rests and other recovery options to maximize your spellcasting potential. Let’s delve deeper into how spell slots work and how they are replenished, covering common questions along the way.
The Basics of Spell Slots and Long Rests
Spell Slots Defined
Spell slots represent the magical energy a spellcaster can harness to cast spells. Each spell has a level associated with it, and to cast a spell, you must expend a spell slot of that level or higher. For example, to cast a 1st-level spell like Thunderwave, you would need to expend a 1st-level spell slot. A 3rd-level spell would need a 3rd-level spell slot. As you gain levels in a spellcasting class, the number and level of your available spell slots increase.
What Constitutes a Long Rest?
A long rest is a period of extended downtime, at least 8 hours long, during which a character sleeps or performs light activity, such as reading, talking, eating, or standing watch for no more than 2 hours. Importantly, if you spend more than an hour casting spells, or engaging in similarly strenuous activity during your long rest, the rest is considered interrupted and you must restart.
Spell Slot Recovery on a Long Rest
The critical part is that at the end of a completed long rest, a spellcaster regains all expended spell slots, returning them to their maximum capacity. This reset is a cornerstone of the game, ensuring that casters can use their powerful spells again and again, assuming they have adequate rest.
Exceptions and Alternative Recovery Methods
While long rests are the primary way to recover spell slots, several classes and game mechanics offer additional recovery methods. These are particularly useful for those classes that can’t rely on long rests to be effective.
Short Rest Spell Slot Recovery
Not all spellcasting classes rely solely on long rests. Certain classes have features that allow them to recover spell slots through short rests (typically an hour of downtime).
- Warlocks: Warlocks are unique in that they regain all their spell slots on a short rest, not just a long rest.
- Druids (Circle of the Land): Druids with the Circle of the Land subclass have Natural Recovery, which allows them to recover spell slots of a combined level equal to half their druid level (rounded up) during a short rest.
- Wizards: Wizards have Arcane Recovery, which allows them to recover spell slots of a combined level equal to half their wizard level (rounded up) during a short rest, once per day.
Other Recovery Methods
Beyond long and short rest abilities, here are other notable ways to regain spell slots:
- Sorcerer’s Font of Magic: Sorcerers use sorcery points to fuel their magic. They can convert unexpended sorcery points into spell slots or sacrifice spell slots to gain sorcery points.
- Magic Items: Certain magic items, like the Pearl of Power, can restore expended spell slots. Typically, these items have limitations, such as only being usable once per day.
- Multiclassing: Multiclassing can affect the way spell slots are regained, often combining the slot totals of different classes. But remember: your spell selection is based on individual class levels, not total levels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do you regain all expended spell slots when you finish a short rest?
No, generally, you do not regain all expended spell slots on a short rest. Typically only Warlocks regain all spell slots on a short rest. Other classes like Druids (Circle of the Land) and Wizards can regain a portion of their slots on a short rest using specific class features.
2. Can you restore spell slots without a long rest?
Yes, you can restore spell slots without a long rest using class-specific features (like Warlock’s short rest recharge, Druid’s Natural Recovery, or Wizard’s Arcane Recovery), magic items, or sorcery points.
3. Do druids get all their spell slots back on a short rest?
No, only Druids with the Circle of the Land subclass can partially recover spell slots on a short rest using Natural Recovery. They recover spell slots of combined level up to half of their druid level (rounded up).
4. How do you recharge spell slots in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3)?
In Baldur’s Gate 3, spell slots are recharged through long rests or specific class features and items, very similar to the tabletop version of 5e. Some items and class abilities may also allow for short rest recovery.
5. What classes get spell slots back on a short rest?
The primary classes that regain spell slots on short rests are: Warlock (all slots) and, with limitations: Druid (Circle of the Land) and Wizard.
6. Can druids change cantrips after a long rest?
No, druids cannot change their chosen cantrips after a long rest. They can, however, change their list of prepared spells.
7. What magic item restores spell slots?
The Pearl of Power is a magic item that allows a spellcaster to regain one expended spell slot of 3rd level or lower once per dawn. There may be other, more powerful magic items that can do so as well.
8. Do multiclass warlocks get all spell slots back on a short rest?
Yes, a multiclass warlock still gets all warlock spell slots back on a short rest, regardless of their other class levels. Their total slots will depend on their combined class levels.
9. How long is a long rest?
A long rest is a period of extended downtime, at least 8 hours long, including sleep, with no more than 2 hours of light activity.
10. Can you use sorcery points to regain spell slots?
Yes, sorcerers can use their sorcery points to create additional spell slots, or sacrifice spell slots for more sorcery points.
11. Can you cast an endless spell twice in a turn?
No, a wizard can not attempt to cast more than one endless spell in the same turn, even if they are different endless spells.
12. What is the max level spell slot in 5e?
The maximum spell slot level is 9th level. Although this is the highest level spell slot, a character can gain more than one of a given level if they have high enough class levels.
13. Do you lose a spell slot if the spell fails?
You do not lose a spell slot if a spell fails due to a broken concentration, counterspell, or other forms of interruption. You only lose the slot when the spell’s effect fully executes.
14. What feat recovers spell slots?
There is not a feat that specifically recovers spell slots. However, Wizard’s Arcane Recovery and Sorcerer’s Metamagic provide a means of recovering spell slots, often in conjunction with short rests. Also the artificer’s infusion: spell-refueling ring can help.
15. Can you infinitely use cantrips?
Yes, you can cast any cantrips you know at will, an unlimited number of times, unless the feature that lets you cast it specifically says otherwise.