[RPG] How useful is the 5e ‘Wish’ spell (‘Basic Use’ version) for spell research

dnd-5espellswish

The 5e Wish spell does, literally, whatever you wish, but for a price. The Basic Use version may be useful for instant spell research without the usual time / gold costs. Logically, one could use this Basic Wish to learn all the wizard spells lvl. 8 and lower. But what are the limits? To quote:

The basic use of this spell is to duplicate any other spell of 8th level or lower. You don't need to meet any requirements in that spell, including costly Components. The spell simply takes effect.

Here are some possibilities:

  1. Casting 'Wish' may allow one to have a version of any existing / official spell (found in Player's Handbook, Volo's &/or Mordenkainen's manuals). This exists as a memorized spell 'slot', uncast, in one's mind. Wizards (class) could then write-scribe this spell, providing this was a wizard's (spell-list) spell in the first place. This learning technique may also extend to some ritual spells, q.v.

  2. As the Basic Use of a 'Wish' spell does NOT require material components. As such, the caster of this spell can automatically gain one (1) fully transcribed non-magical version in a book (or scroll / carved tablet / scribed on a skull / whatever suits your fancy). Should this be a 'wizard' spell, the caster could then use this written version as though they had transcribed this themselves. Other wizards would need to endure the usual transcription-study-cost process from this origin material, as normal.

  3. This Basic Version of the spell vetoes any and all requirements! As such, any spell imaginable (of less than 8th level value) can be instantly scribed into a book. If it were considered a 'wizard' type spell others of that class could make use / transcribe it as usual. If it were a spell for any other list, those of the appropriate class could use this written spell to re-establish a new relationship with their deity, patron or other spell-delivery creature.

Off the cuff, the first one seems reasonable. The second version seems to be pushing boundaries a little (not sure why). The last one, drafting out Brand New Spells every day, seems totally implausible for a mere Basic Wish (perhaps a FULL wish could do this?) – yet i have no known RAW defence on this. It just seems like a bad idea to let a CR 11 'arch-mage' pump out 300+ spells (of any class / up to 8th lvl) in any given year, risk free. But… why not?

Gathered Exchangers of Stackings… what say ye?

Best Answer

There's an assumption here that I'm not sure I agree with. Just because wish allows you to replicate the effects of any spell of 8th level or lower does not imply to me that you therefore know anything about how the lower level spell is cast.

This is my reading, and as far as I can tell it's consistent with the rules text:

  • The spell you are casting and know how to cast is wish.
  • When you cast wish you ask for a certain thing to happen.
  • In the particular case where what you ask to happen is a thing that a lesser spell could do, the result is as if you had cast the lesser spell instead of wish.
  • You do not need to know the lesser spell to use wish in this way.
  • You don't learn anything about the spell you are replicating by producing its effects via wish.

Therefore, I don't think any of the cases you describe are necessarily applicable and you cannot perform magical research by replicating spells using wish. (You could wish for knowledge of spells, but that's not covered by the "basic use" clause.)

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