[RPG] What exactly is ignored in the “requirements” of a spell when Wishing for it

dnd-5espell-componentsspellswish

One of the uses of the wish spell is to emulate any spell of 8th level or lower "without meeting any requirements" of that spell. It is already clear from wish's description that costly material components are to be discarded, but what about other requirements of a spell?

In general, what is considered a requirement of a spell for the purposes of wish?

Best Answer

Wish lets you ignore the requirements of:

  1. providing components
  2. providing the correct time casting
  3. providing an appropriate spell slot
  4. having that spell to be on your prepared or known spells list
  5. having that spell be of an appropriate level or school

Requirements, unfortunately, is never really given a game term definition.
So as with all words that don't have a game term definition, we should attempt to use the standard english definition.

Using that, we can say that anything is a requirement if it prevents you from casting the spell.

So with that in mind, here's the justification:

[Level] [School] - If a spell is not normally of the right level or school for you, you cannot cast it. This is a "requirement".

Casting Time: x - If you do not spend the amount of time specified, you cannot cast it. This is a "requirement".

Range: x Having nothing in range does not actually prevent you from casting a spell (for example, readying) - it prevents you from targeting it. This is NOT a "requirement".

Components: x, y, z (special) - if you cannot provide the proper components, you cannot cast the spell. This is a "requirement".

Duration: x - duration has nothing to do with whether you're capable of casting a spell. This is NOT a "requirement".

Concentration - When casting a spell normally, you can choose not to maintain concentration. The spell will end, but you are not prevented from casting it. This is NOT a "requirement".

Classes: x - If a spell is not on your prepared or known spells, you cannot cast it. This is a "requirement".

Description: [Effects] - Effects can only take place after casting is completed. This is NOT a "requirement".

Spell Slot - If you cannot provide the right spell slot, you cannot cast a spell. This is a "requirement".

Specific features (in addition to Wish) can negate some or all of these requirements, or even add requirements: see Subtle Spell or Ritual Casting