Hi, I’m new to Dungeon World (and to the system), and althought it’s mostly easy to understand, there are things I don’t get from the book, maybe because I have more experience in more conventional systems. I have some questions, if you could help me.
1. Cleric and spells
The book says: “The cleric knows all cleric spells of their level or lower”, then: “the spellcaster may choose known spells whose total levels are less than or equal to the caster’s level plus 1 to prepare.”
This means a 1st level Cleric can cast two spells of level 1, and a 2nd level Cleric can cast three spells of level 1, is that right?
Just to get it straight: A 3rd level Cleric can cast either four spells of level 1, or one spell of level 3 and one of level 1. Am I right?
2. Levels of spell
The levels of spell are equal to character levels, right? But there are only spells of levels 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. These leves are to what italics above refer to, right?
3. The Chosen one and Anointed moves
Both moves say the same: “Choose one spell. You are granted that spell as if it was one level lower.” As these moves can be chosen at levels 2-5 and 6-10, what happens if at 4th level I choose a spell of level 5 as if it was one level lower? Is it considered a spell of level 4? Is it possible?
If I’m reading the rules correctly, at 4th level, a Cleric could cast one spell of level 4 (5 minus 1) and a spell of level 1 (if he has the “Chosen one” move).
But if a 4th level Cleric can’t chose a spell of level 5 (“The cleric knows all cleric spells of their level or lower”) even if it can be considered level 4, what is the purpose of these two moves?
1. Mostly right. Only correction: the cleric prepares spells whose total levels equals Cleric level +1. Clerics (and wizards) can cast prepared spells multiple times. They only lose the spell if they chose that on a 7-9 to Cast A Spell (or it the GM chooses to use up their reaources).
2. Yup. By default there are no even-leveled spells. But there could be custom spells in that range, or moves like Chosen One that turn an odd-level Spell into an even-level spell.
3. You’re reading it right. At level 4, you can take Chosen One and apply it to a 5th level spell, making it a 4th level spell for them.
The moves say “choose a spell,” not “choose a spell you ca cast.”
Jeremy Strandberg Thanks!
That’s true, it’s important to separate preparation and casting, and not, as I did, use them interchangeably.
No problem! Welcome to DW and the Tavern!
Jorge Jaramillo In fact you need to make a distinction between known, prepared and cast.
The Cleric knows all spells of their level or lower, while the Wizard knows only the spells in their Spellbook.
Both the Cleric and the Wizard can prepare some sub-set of their known spells each time they do the Commune or Prepare Spells move.
Both the Cleric and the Wizard can cast any of the spells that they have prepared, and can cast them as many times as they like, unless they lose the prepared spell, as Jeremy Strandberg notes.
Yes, Robert Rendell, thank you. That makes it very clear. I tend to confound all these terms the same way most RPGamers tend to confound Player and Character Player (although this last mix-up is totally harmless); that is, I know the difference ebtween each but mix them up when talk or write. But I will try to be as clear and specific as I can, I’m sure it will help me to read better.