What Level is a Cantrip in Pathfinder 2nd Edition?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
In Pathfinder 2nd Edition (PF2e), cantrips are considered 0-level spells. They represent the most basic form of magic, accessible to spellcasters from the moment they gain the ability to cast spells. Unlike higher-level spells, cantrips don’t consume spell slots, allowing casters to use them repeatedly without limitation. This makes them a vital resource for any spellcasting character, providing reliable and consistent options for both offense and utility throughout an adventuring day.
Understanding Cantrips in PF2e
Cantrips in PF2e aren’t just weak spells; they are fundamental magical abilities. They scale with your level, becoming more potent as your character grows in power. This scaling mechanism makes them relevant at all stages of the game. Though they are 0-level, their power isn’t static. They automatically heighten to half your level, rounded up, effectively making them more powerful with each character advancement.
For example, a 1st-level spellcaster uses their cantrips as 1st-level spells. By the time that character reaches 5th level, those same cantrips function as 3rd-level spells. This built-in scaling helps ensure that a spellcaster’s basic magical options remain viable and potent throughout their career, eliminating the common problem in other systems where low-level spells become obsolete at later levels.
The Importance of Cantrips
Cantrips are essential for several reasons:
- Consistency: They provide reliable magical effects that don’t require expending limited spell slots.
- Utility: Many cantrips offer diverse effects like creating light, basic manipulation, or minor defensive measures.
- Scaling: As mentioned, cantrips scale with your level, keeping them effective throughout the campaign.
- Foundation: Cantrips form the foundation of a spellcaster’s toolkit, giving consistent options to use between powerful spells.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cantrips in PF2e
1. How are cantrips prepared in PF2e?
Unlike higher-level spells, cantrips are not prepared in the same way. You learn a specific number of cantrips, and you can use any of them at any time without having to select them during your daily preparations. They are considered “known” spells, always available to your character.
2. Are cantrips infinite in PF2e?
Yes, cantrips can be cast an unlimited number of times per day. They do not expend spell slots and have no limit on how many times you can use them. This free use is what makes them so dependable during any adventuring day.
3. Do cantrips have a level that I can see in the spell’s description?
Yes. While they are 0-level spells, they automatically scale and their spell level is referred to in spell descriptions using the notation “heightened.” For example, a spell description would say “heightened +1” if the spell increases in power when you heighten to the next level of your proficiency in casting spells. Thus, the level of the cantrip is equal to half the caster’s level, rounded up.
4. Can you use spell slots to cast cantrips in PF2e?
No, you cannot use spell slots to cast cantrips. Cantrips are cast without expending any resources, which is why they are such a consistent option for spellcasters.
5. Are cantrips worth using in PF2e?
Absolutely. Cantrips are crucial for consistent damage and utility. They provide spellcasters with an option for whenever their spell slots are depleted, making them very worthwhile and essential for any spellcaster.
6. Can you change cantrips you know in PF2e?
Generally, you cannot unlearn cantrips once you’ve chosen them. However, some classes or specific feats might allow you to change known spells at certain levels. Usually, a character is limited to the cantrips they originally chose at character creation.
7. How does crafting in PF2e relate to cantrips?
While you can’t craft cantrips themselves, the rules for crafting in PF2e use similar level scaling. It takes at least 4 days to make any item. You can choose to pay the full cost to make it immediately, or you can choose to spend a number of days working on the item to lower its cost.
8. Can you counterspell a cantrip in PF2e?
Yes, you can counterspell a cantrip. However, you must expend a spell slot to do so. You cannot simply use a cantrip to counter another cantrip. It’s an action that uses a spell slot of any level to counter a spell, regardless of the spell’s level.
9. Do cantrips scale with level in PF2e?
Yes, as mentioned earlier, cantrips automatically heighten to half your level rounded up, making them more powerful as you level up. This ensures that they remain effective throughout your adventuring career.
10. Do elves get any unique cantrip benefits in PF2e?
Yes, while not specific to cantrips alone, elves do have a racial ability that allows them to choose a cantrip from the wizard’s spell list. The exact details depend on the character’s background and choice of ancestry.
11. Are cantrips used in any specific quests in PF2e?
No, cantrips are not tied to specific quests. They are a core part of a spellcaster’s toolkit and are used as needed in everyday gameplay. The usage of cantrips relies on the player’s needs in each situation.
12. What is the difference between a 0-level spell and a 1st-level spell in PF2e?
0-level spells are cantrips and are cast without spell slots, while 1st-level spells require expending spell slots. Cantrips also have scaling built in based on a character’s level, while 1st level spells have to be cast with a heightened level using spell slots to increase in power.
13. Can you use a bonus action to cast a cantrip in PF2e?
In PF2e, there aren’t specific actions called “bonus actions” like in other systems. You will have a different amount of actions that you can use depending on the specific action in use. Generally, any action must be used on your turn, and so to cast a cantrip is generally a standard action, or sometimes a free action. You can, with specific class abilities or feats, be able to cast cantrips as part of other actions.
14. Do cantrips remove invisibility in PF2e?
Casting a cantrip does not automatically remove invisibility in PF2e. If the cantrip requires an attack roll it might break invisibility, depending on the rules for your chosen spell. Generally speaking, actions or spells that specifically call out that they end invisibility are the main cause of an invisibility spell ending.
15. Do wizards have any special cantrip rules in PF2e?
Wizards in PF2e have a lot of versatility, being able to freely swap spells they have prepared during a period of rest, but cantrips in PF2e are learned like other spells. Wizards typically learn more cantrips than some other classes, making them specialists in using this type of spell.