Why does a Lich have two 8th-level spells?

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So, if I'm correct, I believe that a monster that has spellcasting gets its spells as stated by the class. If so, then take the 18th level wizard.



Why does the Lich, for example, get two 8th-level spells (dominate monster, power word stun), while the Archmage only gets one (mind blank)?










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  • 3




    I'm not sure I understand the question. Since nothing about the lich's spellcasting (vs. the archmage's) really breaks any rules, as written this seems sort of like a designer reasons question, which are considered off-topic here.
    – V2Blast
    9 hours ago






  • 4




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because designer-reason questions are off-topic.
    – Purple Monkey
    9 hours ago






  • 6




    This looks more like a “misunderstanding the Monster Manual” problem than a “why did the designers make a certain choice” problem.
    – SevenSidedDie♦
    7 hours ago






  • 1




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it appears to be a designer opinions question
    – illustro
    6 hours ago






  • 1




    Agree with SSD. Nothing in this question asks for a designer reason or statement of intent. Not every "why" question secretly means "why did the designers do it this way." In this case, it really means "what am I missing?"
    – Bloodcinder
    3 hours ago














up vote
2
down vote

favorite












So, if I'm correct, I believe that a monster that has spellcasting gets its spells as stated by the class. If so, then take the 18th level wizard.



Why does the Lich, for example, get two 8th-level spells (dominate monster, power word stun), while the Archmage only gets one (mind blank)?










share|improve this question



















  • 3




    I'm not sure I understand the question. Since nothing about the lich's spellcasting (vs. the archmage's) really breaks any rules, as written this seems sort of like a designer reasons question, which are considered off-topic here.
    – V2Blast
    9 hours ago






  • 4




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because designer-reason questions are off-topic.
    – Purple Monkey
    9 hours ago






  • 6




    This looks more like a “misunderstanding the Monster Manual” problem than a “why did the designers make a certain choice” problem.
    – SevenSidedDie♦
    7 hours ago






  • 1




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it appears to be a designer opinions question
    – illustro
    6 hours ago






  • 1




    Agree with SSD. Nothing in this question asks for a designer reason or statement of intent. Not every "why" question secretly means "why did the designers do it this way." In this case, it really means "what am I missing?"
    – Bloodcinder
    3 hours ago












up vote
2
down vote

favorite









up vote
2
down vote

favorite











So, if I'm correct, I believe that a monster that has spellcasting gets its spells as stated by the class. If so, then take the 18th level wizard.



Why does the Lich, for example, get two 8th-level spells (dominate monster, power word stun), while the Archmage only gets one (mind blank)?










share|improve this question















So, if I'm correct, I believe that a monster that has spellcasting gets its spells as stated by the class. If so, then take the 18th level wizard.



Why does the Lich, for example, get two 8th-level spells (dominate monster, power word stun), while the Archmage only gets one (mind blank)?







dnd-5e spells monsters






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share|improve this question













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share|improve this question








edited 9 hours ago









V2Blast

16.8k242107




16.8k242107










asked 10 hours ago









Jack

1273




1273







  • 3




    I'm not sure I understand the question. Since nothing about the lich's spellcasting (vs. the archmage's) really breaks any rules, as written this seems sort of like a designer reasons question, which are considered off-topic here.
    – V2Blast
    9 hours ago






  • 4




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because designer-reason questions are off-topic.
    – Purple Monkey
    9 hours ago






  • 6




    This looks more like a “misunderstanding the Monster Manual” problem than a “why did the designers make a certain choice” problem.
    – SevenSidedDie♦
    7 hours ago






  • 1




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it appears to be a designer opinions question
    – illustro
    6 hours ago






  • 1




    Agree with SSD. Nothing in this question asks for a designer reason or statement of intent. Not every "why" question secretly means "why did the designers do it this way." In this case, it really means "what am I missing?"
    – Bloodcinder
    3 hours ago












  • 3




    I'm not sure I understand the question. Since nothing about the lich's spellcasting (vs. the archmage's) really breaks any rules, as written this seems sort of like a designer reasons question, which are considered off-topic here.
    – V2Blast
    9 hours ago






  • 4




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because designer-reason questions are off-topic.
    – Purple Monkey
    9 hours ago






  • 6




    This looks more like a “misunderstanding the Monster Manual” problem than a “why did the designers make a certain choice” problem.
    – SevenSidedDie♦
    7 hours ago






  • 1




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it appears to be a designer opinions question
    – illustro
    6 hours ago






  • 1




    Agree with SSD. Nothing in this question asks for a designer reason or statement of intent. Not every "why" question secretly means "why did the designers do it this way." In this case, it really means "what am I missing?"
    – Bloodcinder
    3 hours ago







3




3




I'm not sure I understand the question. Since nothing about the lich's spellcasting (vs. the archmage's) really breaks any rules, as written this seems sort of like a designer reasons question, which are considered off-topic here.
– V2Blast
9 hours ago




I'm not sure I understand the question. Since nothing about the lich's spellcasting (vs. the archmage's) really breaks any rules, as written this seems sort of like a designer reasons question, which are considered off-topic here.
– V2Blast
9 hours ago




4




4




I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because designer-reason questions are off-topic.
– Purple Monkey
9 hours ago




I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because designer-reason questions are off-topic.
– Purple Monkey
9 hours ago




6




6




This looks more like a “misunderstanding the Monster Manual” problem than a “why did the designers make a certain choice” problem.
– SevenSidedDie♦
7 hours ago




This looks more like a “misunderstanding the Monster Manual” problem than a “why did the designers make a certain choice” problem.
– SevenSidedDie♦
7 hours ago




1




1




I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it appears to be a designer opinions question
– illustro
6 hours ago




I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it appears to be a designer opinions question
– illustro
6 hours ago




1




1




Agree with SSD. Nothing in this question asks for a designer reason or statement of intent. Not every "why" question secretly means "why did the designers do it this way." In this case, it really means "what am I missing?"
– Bloodcinder
3 hours ago




Agree with SSD. Nothing in this question asks for a designer reason or statement of intent. Not every "why" question secretly means "why did the designers do it this way." In this case, it really means "what am I missing?"
– Bloodcinder
3 hours ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

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up vote
17
down vote













NPCs don't have to follow PC rules, but you might have misunderstood the monster spell lists anyway



As ravery points out, it's not necessary for NPCs to perfectly align to PC class descriptions. An NPC wizard or monster with spellcasting ability doesn't have to follow the same rules that a PC wizard does, even if the monster seems like it should be fairly described as a "wizard".



However, it seems like you might be misunderstanding the difference between spells known/prepared and spell slots. As the Wizard class describes:




The Wizard table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.



You prepare the list of wizard spells that are available for you to cast. To do so, choose a number of wizard spells from your spellbook equal to your Intelligence modifier + your wizard level (minimum of one spell). The spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.




As 18th level casters, both the Archmage and the Lich have the same number of spell slots - including one 8th level slot. As it happens, the progression of spell slots is the same for every full spellcasting class (bard, cleric, druid, sorcerer, and wizard), so "an Xth level spellcaster" is enough to describe how many spell slots a creature should have - it's not necessary to say "an Xth level wizard".



However, the Lich and the Archmage have a different list of prepared spells, and you may note that there is no limitation that you can only prepare a certain number of spells of certain levels. An 18th level wizard with a +5 intelligence modifier has the capacity to prepare up to 23 spells of any level they so choose, and they could prepare 23 9th level spells if they knew that many (though that would obviously be a very poor use of their capacity). It just so happens that the Lich has chosen to prepare more higher-level spells than the Archmage - it doesn't have the ability to actually cast more high-level spells in a given period, it just has a greater choice of high-level spells available (and consequently less choice of lower level spells).



As a side note, the Lich has 23 spells memorised, which is exactly in line with an 18th level wizard with that intelligence score, but it doesn't benefit from any of the other class features that a wizard has, like Spell Mastery. The Archmage only has 20 spells listed as prepared, which is fewer than you might expect - but it also has the ability to cast disguise self and invisibility at will, exactly as if it had prepared those spells with the Spell Mastery wizard class feature - which gives a total of 22 spells, still one shy of what a PC wizard could prepare but pretty close. It's probably fair to say that these two NPCs/monsters were designed with reference to the normal rules of wizard spellcasting, but they are not meant or required to be strictly adherent to those rules.






share|improve this answer






















  • "...the progression of spell slots is the same for every kind of spellcaster except for warlocks..." Answer would be improved by mentioning so-called "half-casters" (paladins, rangers) and "third-casters" (Eldritch Knight, Arcane Trickster) or else just change it from "every kind of spellcaster" to "most kinds of spellcaster," because the current wording is either inaccurate or slightly disingenuous.
    – Bloodcinder
    3 hours ago










  • @Bloodcinder good point, have rewritten.
    – Carcer
    3 hours ago










  • Excellent rephrasing. +1
    – Bloodcinder
    3 hours ago

















up vote
6
down vote













Monsters don't conform to character classes. Both the Lich and Archmage differ from an 18th level wizard with 20 Int.



An 18th level wizard with 20 intelligence would have 23 spells prepared, a spell DC of 19, and a spell attack modifier of +11. (PHB p.114)



Questions about why are designer intent questions and off topic here.






share|improve this answer






















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    2 Answers
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    2 Answers
    2






    active

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    active

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    up vote
    17
    down vote













    NPCs don't have to follow PC rules, but you might have misunderstood the monster spell lists anyway



    As ravery points out, it's not necessary for NPCs to perfectly align to PC class descriptions. An NPC wizard or monster with spellcasting ability doesn't have to follow the same rules that a PC wizard does, even if the monster seems like it should be fairly described as a "wizard".



    However, it seems like you might be misunderstanding the difference between spells known/prepared and spell slots. As the Wizard class describes:




    The Wizard table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.



    You prepare the list of wizard spells that are available for you to cast. To do so, choose a number of wizard spells from your spellbook equal to your Intelligence modifier + your wizard level (minimum of one spell). The spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.




    As 18th level casters, both the Archmage and the Lich have the same number of spell slots - including one 8th level slot. As it happens, the progression of spell slots is the same for every full spellcasting class (bard, cleric, druid, sorcerer, and wizard), so "an Xth level spellcaster" is enough to describe how many spell slots a creature should have - it's not necessary to say "an Xth level wizard".



    However, the Lich and the Archmage have a different list of prepared spells, and you may note that there is no limitation that you can only prepare a certain number of spells of certain levels. An 18th level wizard with a +5 intelligence modifier has the capacity to prepare up to 23 spells of any level they so choose, and they could prepare 23 9th level spells if they knew that many (though that would obviously be a very poor use of their capacity). It just so happens that the Lich has chosen to prepare more higher-level spells than the Archmage - it doesn't have the ability to actually cast more high-level spells in a given period, it just has a greater choice of high-level spells available (and consequently less choice of lower level spells).



    As a side note, the Lich has 23 spells memorised, which is exactly in line with an 18th level wizard with that intelligence score, but it doesn't benefit from any of the other class features that a wizard has, like Spell Mastery. The Archmage only has 20 spells listed as prepared, which is fewer than you might expect - but it also has the ability to cast disguise self and invisibility at will, exactly as if it had prepared those spells with the Spell Mastery wizard class feature - which gives a total of 22 spells, still one shy of what a PC wizard could prepare but pretty close. It's probably fair to say that these two NPCs/monsters were designed with reference to the normal rules of wizard spellcasting, but they are not meant or required to be strictly adherent to those rules.






    share|improve this answer






















    • "...the progression of spell slots is the same for every kind of spellcaster except for warlocks..." Answer would be improved by mentioning so-called "half-casters" (paladins, rangers) and "third-casters" (Eldritch Knight, Arcane Trickster) or else just change it from "every kind of spellcaster" to "most kinds of spellcaster," because the current wording is either inaccurate or slightly disingenuous.
      – Bloodcinder
      3 hours ago










    • @Bloodcinder good point, have rewritten.
      – Carcer
      3 hours ago










    • Excellent rephrasing. +1
      – Bloodcinder
      3 hours ago














    up vote
    17
    down vote













    NPCs don't have to follow PC rules, but you might have misunderstood the monster spell lists anyway



    As ravery points out, it's not necessary for NPCs to perfectly align to PC class descriptions. An NPC wizard or monster with spellcasting ability doesn't have to follow the same rules that a PC wizard does, even if the monster seems like it should be fairly described as a "wizard".



    However, it seems like you might be misunderstanding the difference between spells known/prepared and spell slots. As the Wizard class describes:




    The Wizard table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.



    You prepare the list of wizard spells that are available for you to cast. To do so, choose a number of wizard spells from your spellbook equal to your Intelligence modifier + your wizard level (minimum of one spell). The spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.




    As 18th level casters, both the Archmage and the Lich have the same number of spell slots - including one 8th level slot. As it happens, the progression of spell slots is the same for every full spellcasting class (bard, cleric, druid, sorcerer, and wizard), so "an Xth level spellcaster" is enough to describe how many spell slots a creature should have - it's not necessary to say "an Xth level wizard".



    However, the Lich and the Archmage have a different list of prepared spells, and you may note that there is no limitation that you can only prepare a certain number of spells of certain levels. An 18th level wizard with a +5 intelligence modifier has the capacity to prepare up to 23 spells of any level they so choose, and they could prepare 23 9th level spells if they knew that many (though that would obviously be a very poor use of their capacity). It just so happens that the Lich has chosen to prepare more higher-level spells than the Archmage - it doesn't have the ability to actually cast more high-level spells in a given period, it just has a greater choice of high-level spells available (and consequently less choice of lower level spells).



    As a side note, the Lich has 23 spells memorised, which is exactly in line with an 18th level wizard with that intelligence score, but it doesn't benefit from any of the other class features that a wizard has, like Spell Mastery. The Archmage only has 20 spells listed as prepared, which is fewer than you might expect - but it also has the ability to cast disguise self and invisibility at will, exactly as if it had prepared those spells with the Spell Mastery wizard class feature - which gives a total of 22 spells, still one shy of what a PC wizard could prepare but pretty close. It's probably fair to say that these two NPCs/monsters were designed with reference to the normal rules of wizard spellcasting, but they are not meant or required to be strictly adherent to those rules.






    share|improve this answer






















    • "...the progression of spell slots is the same for every kind of spellcaster except for warlocks..." Answer would be improved by mentioning so-called "half-casters" (paladins, rangers) and "third-casters" (Eldritch Knight, Arcane Trickster) or else just change it from "every kind of spellcaster" to "most kinds of spellcaster," because the current wording is either inaccurate or slightly disingenuous.
      – Bloodcinder
      3 hours ago










    • @Bloodcinder good point, have rewritten.
      – Carcer
      3 hours ago










    • Excellent rephrasing. +1
      – Bloodcinder
      3 hours ago












    up vote
    17
    down vote










    up vote
    17
    down vote









    NPCs don't have to follow PC rules, but you might have misunderstood the monster spell lists anyway



    As ravery points out, it's not necessary for NPCs to perfectly align to PC class descriptions. An NPC wizard or monster with spellcasting ability doesn't have to follow the same rules that a PC wizard does, even if the monster seems like it should be fairly described as a "wizard".



    However, it seems like you might be misunderstanding the difference between spells known/prepared and spell slots. As the Wizard class describes:




    The Wizard table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.



    You prepare the list of wizard spells that are available for you to cast. To do so, choose a number of wizard spells from your spellbook equal to your Intelligence modifier + your wizard level (minimum of one spell). The spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.




    As 18th level casters, both the Archmage and the Lich have the same number of spell slots - including one 8th level slot. As it happens, the progression of spell slots is the same for every full spellcasting class (bard, cleric, druid, sorcerer, and wizard), so "an Xth level spellcaster" is enough to describe how many spell slots a creature should have - it's not necessary to say "an Xth level wizard".



    However, the Lich and the Archmage have a different list of prepared spells, and you may note that there is no limitation that you can only prepare a certain number of spells of certain levels. An 18th level wizard with a +5 intelligence modifier has the capacity to prepare up to 23 spells of any level they so choose, and they could prepare 23 9th level spells if they knew that many (though that would obviously be a very poor use of their capacity). It just so happens that the Lich has chosen to prepare more higher-level spells than the Archmage - it doesn't have the ability to actually cast more high-level spells in a given period, it just has a greater choice of high-level spells available (and consequently less choice of lower level spells).



    As a side note, the Lich has 23 spells memorised, which is exactly in line with an 18th level wizard with that intelligence score, but it doesn't benefit from any of the other class features that a wizard has, like Spell Mastery. The Archmage only has 20 spells listed as prepared, which is fewer than you might expect - but it also has the ability to cast disguise self and invisibility at will, exactly as if it had prepared those spells with the Spell Mastery wizard class feature - which gives a total of 22 spells, still one shy of what a PC wizard could prepare but pretty close. It's probably fair to say that these two NPCs/monsters were designed with reference to the normal rules of wizard spellcasting, but they are not meant or required to be strictly adherent to those rules.






    share|improve this answer














    NPCs don't have to follow PC rules, but you might have misunderstood the monster spell lists anyway



    As ravery points out, it's not necessary for NPCs to perfectly align to PC class descriptions. An NPC wizard or monster with spellcasting ability doesn't have to follow the same rules that a PC wizard does, even if the monster seems like it should be fairly described as a "wizard".



    However, it seems like you might be misunderstanding the difference between spells known/prepared and spell slots. As the Wizard class describes:




    The Wizard table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.



    You prepare the list of wizard spells that are available for you to cast. To do so, choose a number of wizard spells from your spellbook equal to your Intelligence modifier + your wizard level (minimum of one spell). The spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.




    As 18th level casters, both the Archmage and the Lich have the same number of spell slots - including one 8th level slot. As it happens, the progression of spell slots is the same for every full spellcasting class (bard, cleric, druid, sorcerer, and wizard), so "an Xth level spellcaster" is enough to describe how many spell slots a creature should have - it's not necessary to say "an Xth level wizard".



    However, the Lich and the Archmage have a different list of prepared spells, and you may note that there is no limitation that you can only prepare a certain number of spells of certain levels. An 18th level wizard with a +5 intelligence modifier has the capacity to prepare up to 23 spells of any level they so choose, and they could prepare 23 9th level spells if they knew that many (though that would obviously be a very poor use of their capacity). It just so happens that the Lich has chosen to prepare more higher-level spells than the Archmage - it doesn't have the ability to actually cast more high-level spells in a given period, it just has a greater choice of high-level spells available (and consequently less choice of lower level spells).



    As a side note, the Lich has 23 spells memorised, which is exactly in line with an 18th level wizard with that intelligence score, but it doesn't benefit from any of the other class features that a wizard has, like Spell Mastery. The Archmage only has 20 spells listed as prepared, which is fewer than you might expect - but it also has the ability to cast disguise self and invisibility at will, exactly as if it had prepared those spells with the Spell Mastery wizard class feature - which gives a total of 22 spells, still one shy of what a PC wizard could prepare but pretty close. It's probably fair to say that these two NPCs/monsters were designed with reference to the normal rules of wizard spellcasting, but they are not meant or required to be strictly adherent to those rules.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited 3 hours ago

























    answered 5 hours ago









    Carcer

    19.9k251108




    19.9k251108











    • "...the progression of spell slots is the same for every kind of spellcaster except for warlocks..." Answer would be improved by mentioning so-called "half-casters" (paladins, rangers) and "third-casters" (Eldritch Knight, Arcane Trickster) or else just change it from "every kind of spellcaster" to "most kinds of spellcaster," because the current wording is either inaccurate or slightly disingenuous.
      – Bloodcinder
      3 hours ago










    • @Bloodcinder good point, have rewritten.
      – Carcer
      3 hours ago










    • Excellent rephrasing. +1
      – Bloodcinder
      3 hours ago
















    • "...the progression of spell slots is the same for every kind of spellcaster except for warlocks..." Answer would be improved by mentioning so-called "half-casters" (paladins, rangers) and "third-casters" (Eldritch Knight, Arcane Trickster) or else just change it from "every kind of spellcaster" to "most kinds of spellcaster," because the current wording is either inaccurate or slightly disingenuous.
      – Bloodcinder
      3 hours ago










    • @Bloodcinder good point, have rewritten.
      – Carcer
      3 hours ago










    • Excellent rephrasing. +1
      – Bloodcinder
      3 hours ago















    "...the progression of spell slots is the same for every kind of spellcaster except for warlocks..." Answer would be improved by mentioning so-called "half-casters" (paladins, rangers) and "third-casters" (Eldritch Knight, Arcane Trickster) or else just change it from "every kind of spellcaster" to "most kinds of spellcaster," because the current wording is either inaccurate or slightly disingenuous.
    – Bloodcinder
    3 hours ago




    "...the progression of spell slots is the same for every kind of spellcaster except for warlocks..." Answer would be improved by mentioning so-called "half-casters" (paladins, rangers) and "third-casters" (Eldritch Knight, Arcane Trickster) or else just change it from "every kind of spellcaster" to "most kinds of spellcaster," because the current wording is either inaccurate or slightly disingenuous.
    – Bloodcinder
    3 hours ago












    @Bloodcinder good point, have rewritten.
    – Carcer
    3 hours ago




    @Bloodcinder good point, have rewritten.
    – Carcer
    3 hours ago












    Excellent rephrasing. +1
    – Bloodcinder
    3 hours ago




    Excellent rephrasing. +1
    – Bloodcinder
    3 hours ago












    up vote
    6
    down vote













    Monsters don't conform to character classes. Both the Lich and Archmage differ from an 18th level wizard with 20 Int.



    An 18th level wizard with 20 intelligence would have 23 spells prepared, a spell DC of 19, and a spell attack modifier of +11. (PHB p.114)



    Questions about why are designer intent questions and off topic here.






    share|improve this answer


























      up vote
      6
      down vote













      Monsters don't conform to character classes. Both the Lich and Archmage differ from an 18th level wizard with 20 Int.



      An 18th level wizard with 20 intelligence would have 23 spells prepared, a spell DC of 19, and a spell attack modifier of +11. (PHB p.114)



      Questions about why are designer intent questions and off topic here.






      share|improve this answer
























        up vote
        6
        down vote










        up vote
        6
        down vote









        Monsters don't conform to character classes. Both the Lich and Archmage differ from an 18th level wizard with 20 Int.



        An 18th level wizard with 20 intelligence would have 23 spells prepared, a spell DC of 19, and a spell attack modifier of +11. (PHB p.114)



        Questions about why are designer intent questions and off topic here.






        share|improve this answer














        Monsters don't conform to character classes. Both the Lich and Archmage differ from an 18th level wizard with 20 Int.



        An 18th level wizard with 20 intelligence would have 23 spells prepared, a spell DC of 19, and a spell attack modifier of +11. (PHB p.114)



        Questions about why are designer intent questions and off topic here.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 9 hours ago

























        answered 9 hours ago









        ravery

        5,5841843




        5,5841843



























             

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