[RPG] Are spells learned from feats considered to be associated with your class

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The multiclassing spellcasting rules (PHB p. 164, or here in the basic rules) state:

Each spell you know and prepare is associated with one of your
classes, and you use the spellcasting ability of that class when you
cast the spell.

According to the above, every spell you know or prepare should be associated with a class.

  • However, for spells learned from feats like Drow High Magic or Wood
    Elf Magic are these actually associated with a class?
  • If so, what class?
  • If not, is the PHB statement above wrong/outdated?
  • Are the spells learned in these feats (and others like it) associated
    with something else (like your race, in these cases)?

For reference, the Drow High Magic racial feat (XGtE p. 74) states:

You learn more of the magic typical of dark elves. You learn the
detect magic spell and can cast it at will, without expending a spell
slot. You also learn levitate and dispel magic, each of which you can
cast once without expending a spell slot. You regain the ability to
cast those two spells in this way when you finish a long rest.
Charisma is your spellcasting ability for all three spells.

The Wood Elf Magic racial feat (XGtE p. 75) states:

You learn the magic of the primeval woods, which are revered and
protected by your people. You learn one druid cantrip of your choice.
You also learn the longstrider and pass without trace spells, each of
which you can cast once without expending a spell slot. You regain the
ability to cast these two spells in this way when you finish a long
rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for all three spells.

In regards to the third and fourth questions, the fact that the PHB quote says "use the spellcasting ability of that class when you cast the spell" and the fact that the feats specify what ability the spell uses in these examples (independent of class) suggests to me that they are not associated with class.

Best Answer

PHB p.164 is about multiclassing. Not general spellcasting rules. It is saying that each spell you know from a class is tied to that class and can't be cast using the stats of the other class.

Spells cast as part of racial feature or feat is not a class spell, and multiclassing doesn't affect how they work.

Some previous feats and features already gave you spells outside your class, like Magic Initiate. These new racial feats work exactly the same way. The source of the spell tells you what stats to use.

Charisma is your spellcasting ability for all three spells.

Similar to how Infernal Legacy tells you to use the stat of the class the spell list you took from uses.

Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Mechanically, they work the same as other non-class spells that already existed.

The Caveat: Sometimes they are Class Spells

If you pick the spell from a spell list mentioned in the class feature or feat, like Wood Elf's cantrip or Magic Initiate, then it technically is a class spell of the other class. The only thing this really changes is that if you happen to be that class you may, in addition to the one free casting, also cast it using a class spell slot. Also if you have a class feature that interacts with casting spells from the class, those would count (i.e. Metamagic, and Wizard Arcane tradition). Note that for wizard you would have to write the spell into your spellbook, and for Wizards, Druids, Paladins you'd also have it prepared in order to cast it using a slot.

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