D&D (2024) Multiclassing: Slots and Prepared Spells

[Mistwell]

Correct. As a level 3 wizard would.
And a level 3 wizard only has level 2 slots

That's where it breaks down. You have 3rd level slots. Nowhere does it say you track slots as a single-class caster. What the multiclassing rule says is, "Once you have the Spellcasting feature from more than one class, use the rules below." So the rules make it clear the multiclassing rules are intended to override the single-class rules for these issues as soon as you have more than one class with the spellcasting feature.

Then, under spell slots, it says, "You determine your available spell slots by adding together the following [specifics on how many levels of each type of class to count]. Then look up this total level in the Level column of the Multiclass Spellcaster table. You use the slots for that level to cast spells of an appropriate level from any class whose Spellcasting feature you have." Therefore we know we have 3rd level spell slots in this instance. I think we all agree on that part.

It then goes on to warn this might result in slots for spells you cannot prepare, which for almost any spellcaster that would indeed be the case because you're 1) drawing from different spell lists, and 2) don't have access to higher level spells to prepare in the first place from your class features.

Not so for wizard though. Because, though "The spells you add to your spellbook as you gain levels reflect your ongoing magical research," which is based on Wizard level, "you might find other spells during your adventures that you can add to the book" which can be any spell "if it’s of a level you can prepare and if you have time to copy it." And for preparations the rule is, "The chosen spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots" and thereafter "you can change your list of prepared spells, replacing any of the spells there with spells from your spellbook."

To do it the way you're suggesting, you would need to track spell slots as a single-class. But, the multiclassing instructions are pretty clear that you use the multiclassing rules once you have a second class with spells, and those rules say you have third level spell slots.

, and thus can only prepare level 2 spells.

Multiclass rules don't say anything about casting rituals from your book however.
Or replacing spells you already had prepared.

But I'm sure the intention is to limit wizards the same as every other class.

Right, I am not really looking for "intention" in this conversation because I know how I'd rule it as a DM. I want to know what the rules say. And they appear to say, so far, that a Wizard specifically can access spells up to their highest level spell slot if they scribed those spells into their spellbook.

 

[mellored]

1) drawing from different spell lists,

not sure why that matters
Eldritch knight/ arcane Trickster draw from the same list, but won't get high level spells.

if it’s of a level you can prepare

If it's a level you can prepare as a single class wizard.

"you can change your list of prepared spells, replacing any of the spells there with spells from your spellbook."

Maybe?

I guess it depends on if you consider "replacing" different from "preparing".

No idea why that second paragraph exsists, seems redundant and like it should of been folded into the first sectio. But so it is written.

To do it the way you're suggesting, you would need to track spell slots as a single-class.

For the purposes of "preparing", yes.
"As if you where a single class". Including single class slots.

a Wizard specifically can access spells up to their highest level spell slot if they scribed those spells into their spellbook.

A level 3 wizard single class wizard does not have level 3 slots, and thus can't prepare them, and thus can't scribe them it the book.

Get them in the book another way (Savant subclass feature does not mention prepare), use a questionable definition of "replacing is not preparing", and then you'd be fine casting it with the multiclass slots.

Casting higher spells a ritual seems pretty solid though. Explicitly not prepared. Ritual casting Contact Other Plane on a Cleric 4/Diviner 5 works as written.