D&D 5E How much space (pages) does a spell use up in a Wizard's spellbook in 5th edition?

[Elderbrain]

I can't find any information on how many pages a spell of a particular level takes up in a Wizard's spellbook. It doesn't seem to give that information, either in the sidebar on spellbooks or anywhere else! Is this info somewhere in the PH or DMG, or did WOTC screw up and leave it out? Should I go by what it says in my 2nd or 3rd edition books... the info is there? Has this been given an official update or errata anywhere?

 

[Shiroiken]

Just as with the material components (via spell component pouch), this is something 5E just handwaves away. I would suggest a DM use their preferred previous edition if they want to detail such. I use 1E rules myself.

 

[ExploderWizard]

Well the equipment list specifies that a spell book has 100 pages. You can go simple and assume 1 page per spell, so 100 spells.

 

[ChrisCarlson]

I like 1 page per spell level, m'self. But really, it's all just fluff.

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

Huh, you're right. It doesn't say. I'd say, choose from one of the following:

• A spellbook is large enough to hold all of your spells forever
• A spell takes one page
• A spell takes one page per level

Personally, I'd go with either the first or the last. I either don't want to worry about it at all, or I want it to be a real consideration.

 

[jgsugden]

It depends on how large you write. Spell PDFs are much more efficient. Everyone seems to want the books in pdf format, anyways...

Or a slightly more serious answer: There are certain elements in a game where too much attention to detail turns the game away from Dungeons & Dragons and into Accounting & Audits. If you have a spellbook, don't worry about the fine details. There is enough room.

 

[Uchawi]

I agree with one page per spell level.

 

[Valmarius]

I got a bit bored and did some calculations (basic addition).
At one page per spell level a lvl 20 wizard who doesn't acquire anything via scrolls, only free level-up spells, will need 220 pages. A little over 2x the 100 page limit from the spellbook description.
They'll need to get a second spellbook when they hit level 13.

So, even using this method I don't see spellbook pages becoming another important resource.

 

[Unwise]

By the time your spell book has 100 pages of spells in it, it is in and of itself a magic item. It thousands of gold worth of magical ink in it and hundreds of years of spell research and arcane runes inscribed in it. If it can't float, turn its own pages, add pages in and repair coffee stains, I would be very disappointed. I think it would be a point of pride among wizards to have a stupidly large spellbook that looks like it weighs a tonne.

 

[Lanefan]

By the time your spell book has 100 pages of spells in it, it is in and of itself a magic item. It thousands of gold worth of magical ink in it and hundreds of years of spell research and arcane runes inscribed in it. If it can't float, turn its own pages, add pages in and repair coffee stains, I would be very disappointed. I think it would be a point of pride among wizards to have a stupidly large spellbook that looks like it weighs a tonne.

Absolutely, but that's the gigantic tome they leave at home in the castle; and it'll probably do for 1000 pages rather than 100. The little 100-pager is the travelling spellbook, small enough to fit in a backpack and light enough to not be a burden to carry around all the time.

Long ago for some reason we decided a spellbook usually has 300 pages in it, and we gave each spell its own pagecount. My current MU - who admittedly has amassed over time perhaps the most comprehensive spell collection I've ever seen - has 4 spellbooks in her backpack of holding; three are full and the fourth is getting there.

Lan-"one page - or x pages - per spell level is a quick and simple solution if you don't want to make it complicated"-efan