Circle-casting is returning to Dungeons & Dragons. The Forgotten Realms Player's Guide will contain rules on using circle-casting with Fifth Edition rules, which will allow a group of spellcasters to significantly amp the powers of certain spells or add specific effects. A full description of how the new mechanic would work was not given to EN World, but D&D lead rules designer Jeremy Crawford mentioned during a press event last week that spells could lose its duration of effect, becoming permanent until dispelled. Existing spells, such as fireball, can also be empowered using circle-casting.
Circle-casting was first described in the Forgotten Realm Campaign Setting in 2001. The third edition version of circle-casting took an hour to complete and allowed the circle's leader to add temporary levels to their caster level while casting a spell or making a spell level check or add metamagic options to casting a spell. The Red Wizards of Thay and Witches of Rasheman both had access to circle-casting.
Spellfire is also returning as a form of sorcery. The new subclass was revealed as part of an Unearthed Arcana playtest released earlier today. Players can use successful counterspells to regain sorcery points and can also empower allies and damage enemies using spellfire effects.
