What does cantrip stand for?

A cantrip is a magic spell of any kind, or one which reads the same forwards and backwards, and it can also be a witch’s trick, or a sham, with the word “cantrip” of Scots origin, possibly coming from the Gaelic term canntaireachd, a piper’s mnemonic chant. The term cantrip has been used in various contexts, including Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and Magic: The Gathering (MTG), to describe a spell or card with a minor effect, often used by beginner apprentices or acolytes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cantrip Definitions and Explanations

1. What is a cantrip in D&D?: A cantrip in D&D is the common name for the weakest spells an arcane spellcaster could cast, with the divine magic equivalents known as orisons.
2. Why is it called a cantrip in MTG?: The term cantrip originated from a Scottish word for a magic spell or charm, entering the gaming lexicon through Dungeons & Dragons as slang for a spell with a minor effect and no cost.
3. What are cantrips vs spells?: A Spell takes a spell slot and typically is used in a way that can benefit the player, while a cantrip is like a minor spell that can be cast as many times as they like without penalty.
4. Are cantrips technically spells?: Yes, cantrips are indeed spells that can be cast at will, without using a spell slot and without being prepared in advance.

Cantrip Usage and Limitations

5. Can you cast a cantrip twice?: Yes, you can cast a slotted spell and a cantrip in the same turn, so two cantrips should be fine, with the only restriction being if you use a bonus action to cast any spell.
6. Do elves get a cantrip?: Yes, Elves get a cantrip as part of their Elf Weapon Training, with Intelligence as their spellcasting ability for it.
7. Can you use cantrips infinitely?: Yes, any character can cast any cantrips they know at will and an unlimited number of times, unless the feature that lets them cast it specifically says otherwise.
8. Is there a cantrip limit?: No, you can cast cantrips as often as you want, and their action cost is what they say in the spell description.

Cantrip Examples and Comparisons

9. Can fireball be a cantrip?: No, Fireball is a third-level spell, while Firebolt is a cantrip that does much less damage.
10. Is fireball a spell or cantrip?: Fireball is a spell, appearing on both the sorcerer and wizard spell lists, with a 20 foot radius area and dealing 8d6 damage.
11. What is an example of a cantrip?: A wizard casts a cantrip to create wracking moans and cries emanating from inside a closet to scare away a burglar.

Cantrip Mechanics and Interactions

12. Do you roll to cast a cantrip?: Yes, cantrips work just like normal spells, and thus you still have to roll Cast a Spell when you want to cast them.
13. Is a cantrip card draw?: Yes, cantrips can be cards that draw a card in addition to other abilities.
14. How long does a cantrip last?: If it’s not instantaneous, generally a cantrip lasts either one round, one minute, ten minutes, or one hour, with Encode Thoughts being an exception.

Cantrip Acquisition and Learning

15. How do I learn cantrips?: To learn Cantrips, you must meet specific requirements, such as being level 23 or above, and then speak to a mentor to get started on the “Cantrips 101” quest.