Last Updated on January 22, 2023
In this guide to pricing Spell Scrolls in DnD 5e, we’ll discuss how to distribute and value these magic items. When it comes to pricing Spell Scrolls, there are many factors a DM must consider.
Spell Scrolls are a powerful source of magic in DnD. With these items, spellcasters can unleash magic beyond their normal abilities.
Because most players are bound to stumble upon a Spell Scroll or two at some point in their adventures, DM’s should be prepared to handle the details of buying and selling these items.
While some players like to hold on to scrolls, waiting for just the right moment to release their secret magic, others will likely sell the Spell Scrolls and pocket some gold. Players are also able to craft their own Spell Scrolls, provided they have the time and money to do so.
Table of Contents
Spell Scroll Basics
Spellcasters can attempt to activate a Spell Scroll if the spell is on their character class’s spell list, otherwise, the scroll is illegible. If the scroll’s magic is more powerful than the character is able to cast, they must make an ability check to use the scroll successfully.
With the utterance of the magical phrase written on the scroll, the spell’s magic is triggered, and the scroll crumbles to dust. Wizards can also copy the magic from a spell scroll into their spellbooks. Doing so, however, destroys the spell scroll.
Where to Find Spell Scrolls
Spell Scrolls are difficult to create, requiring a lot of time and money to produce. Characters won’t be able to just buy them anywhere.
Unless there is a powerful mage lurking in the local tavern, the players will need to journey to a large city where powerful items are likely to end up.
Or the party can seek out a talented magician capable of crafting spell scrolls, but such a person is rare and hard to find. And you can be sure that any mage worth their salt will price their work accordingly.
Because buying and crafting spell scrolls is usually out of the reach of low-level characters, the best chance most players have of getting their hands on one is by adventuring. Dark dungeons and Wizard’s towers are bound to have a scroll or two lying around.
Pricing Spell Scrolls by Rarity
In DnD, every magic item has a rarity that tells the DM how difficult it is to find. An item’s rarity is used to determine how valuable it is. Rarity also tells the DM at what point in the game characters are able to find the magic item. For example, the party is unlikely to find a rare magic item before they reach level 5.
The following table lists the value ranges for magic items based on rarity. Common magic items are only worth between 50 and 100 gp. Players are likely to find items of common rarity even at level 1. Some Legendary items are worth more than a hundred thousand gold.
Magic Item Rarity | Minimum Character Level | Value |
Common | 1st | 50-100gp |
Uncommon | 1st | 101-500gp |
Rare | 5th | 501-5000gp |
Very rare | 11th | 5,001-50,000gp |
Legendary | 17th | 50,001+gp |
Spells also have a rarity based on their level. Low-level spells are common, while high-level spells are very rare, or even legendary. DM’s should use the rarity table as a guide for determining the individual price of spell scrolls.
Spell Level | Rarity |
Cantrip-1 | Common |
2-3 | Uncommon |
4-5 | Rare |
6-8 | Very Rare |
9 | Legendary |
Most DnD players are unlikely to find very rare or legendary spell scrolls. Even the most deadly dungeons don’t hold items this powerful. Players will need to search an Archwizard’s Keep, or perhaps the treasure piles of an ancient dragon, to find such loot.
On the other hand, players can find low-level spell scrolls without much trouble. For example, the party could be adventuring deep within an abandoned mine. Suddenly, they stumble upon the corpse of an unfortunate mage.
Searching the body, they find a spell scroll of Leomund’s Tiny Hut. Because this spell scroll contains a 3rd level spell, the DM knows it is a rare magic item. As a rare item, the spell scroll could be worth several thousand gold pieces to the right buyer.
Where to Sell Spell Scrolls
Just because a spell scroll is worth thousands of gold pieces, doesn’t mean it’s easy to find someone who will buy it. Afterall, most people don’t have thousands of gold just lying around.
And shops are only willing to buy something if they think they can sell it. (“Sorry, but your spell scroll of Dancing Lights isn’t going to exactly fly off the shelf.”)
Large cities, however, are likely to see many travelers and adventurers looking for magic items to aid their journeys. Here, players can search for buyers for their goods. Priests and other spellcasters may also be interested in certain magic items.
Very valuable items, however, are unlikely to sell even in a busy market. Players will need to seek out auction houses or collectors that deal in such precious goods. And of course, valuable items and powerful spell scrolls can attract problems of their own. Be on the lookout for thieves and con artists looking to make a score.
Common Spell Scrolls and Their Prices
Spell Scroll | Spell Level | Rarity | Price |
spell scroll of Fireball | 3 | Uncommon | 150gp |
spell scroll of Plane Shift | 7 | Very Rare | 7,000gp |
spell scroll of Leomund’s Tiny Hut | 3 | Uncommon | 500gp |
spell scroll of Ice Storm | 4 | Rare | 1000gp |
spell scroll of Feather Fall | 1 | Common | 50gp |
spell scroll of Cure Wounds | 1 | Common | 90gp |
spell scroll of Light | Cantrip | Common | 50gp |
spell scroll of Mass Heal | 9 | Legendary | 50,000gp |
spell scroll of Remove Curse | 3 | Uncommon | 500gp |
spell scroll of Greater Restoration | 5 | Rare | 450 gp |
How To Craft a Spell Scroll in 5e
With time, patience, and gold, some talented spellcasters can create their own spell scrolls. Any character with proficiency in Aracana can attempt to transfer a spell to a scroll, provided they know the spell.
The art of scribing the spell, however, is arduous. It can take days, or even weeks, to finish a single spell scroll. And the results are by no means guaranteed.
Complications can arise in the process. Typically, there’s a 10 percent chance that something strange happened while creating the scroll.
How Much Does it Cost to Create a Spell Scroll?
Crafting spell scrolls isn’t cheap. Special material components are required, as well as valuable time and effort. A cantrip, for example, can be scribed for around 25 gp and a day’s work. But a 3rd level spell can take 3 weeks or more to create, and require up to 500 gold in the proces.
Extremely powerful spells can take even longer to scribe. Higher-level spells can take months of work and energy, consuming a character’s life for days on end. And the gold cost can get extraordinary. Some spells cost tens of thousands of gold to turn into spell scrolls.
Can Spell Scrolls Be Copied into a SpellBook?
Wizards are nothing without their spellbooks. Learning new spells and copying them into a spellbook is half the fun of playing a Wizard. When a Wizard finds a spell scroll, they can take time to copy the spell and add it to their list of known spells.
Copying a spell into a Wizard’s spellbook requires an Arcana check equal to 10 + the spell’s level. Attempting to copy a spell scroll always destroys the item. Even if the check fails, the scroll crumbles to dust and is lost forever.
How Good are Spell Scrolls?
Spells scrolls have many uses. Firstly, spare scrolls keep players from having to expend precious spell slots. Secondly, spellcasters can also use these magic items to cast spells that would normally be beyond their abilities. And spell scrolls give the characters more options.
Spell scrolls are a great resource for any party’s spellcasters. Many character classes in DnD can cast spells, so there’s usually a good chance someone can read a scroll. Of course, for a party lacking magic, spell scrolls are little more than expensive paper.
Conclusion
Spell Scrolls are a great way to round out a party’s spellcasting abilities. With spell scrolls, players gain access to a greater range of spells and more opportunities to use them.
Also, trading or crafting these items can prove an excellent source of income for the group.
And DnD players should always be on the lookout for the chance to buy a spell scroll. You never know when you might need one.
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Rich Kibble
I played the game a lot as a kid, back in first edition. Over the past few years since 5e was released, I’ve really started getting back into it. Currently, I run a campaign online for some friends and my brothers, and we also play a side-sesh just to mix things up.
FAQs
How much does a spell scroll sell for? ›
A 1st-level spell scroll is 25 gp, they then say that a 2nd-level spell scroll is 10x more valuable than that as it costs 10x as much gp. Weirdly, a 3rd-level spell scroll is only twice as much as a 2nd-level one, but then a 4th-level is five times as much as a 3rd-level scroll.
How much does a spell scroll cost to make 5e? ›Scribing a Spell Scroll is a downtime activity described in Xanathar's Guide To Everything (XGE) which can take anywhere from 1 day to 48 workweeks and costs between 15 and 250,000 gp depending on the level of spell you want to scribe.
How much does a Level 2 spell scroll cost? ›Per the PHB: "For each level of hte spell, the process [of transcribing the spell into your spellbook] takes 2 hours and costs 50 GP.") For an augury spell scroll, it's a 2nd level spell so based on the DMG chart, it would be an uncommon magic item. That would put the price range at 101-500 gold.
How much does a 7th level spell cost? ›7th level spell, no components. Base price is 6860G. The caster has to go with you, so you also pay for his return trip (depending on situation, you could pay the caster to wait like world's most expensive taxi).
How much does it cost to copy a spell into a spellbook? ›You must practice the spell until you understand the Sounds or gestures required, then transcribe it into your Spellbook using your own notation. For each level of the spell, the process takes 2 hours and costs 50 gp.
How much is a +1 arrow 5e? ›According to the DMG, a single +1 Arrow would then cost between 50-250gp.
What is a Level 1 spell scroll? ›A spell scroll bears the words of a single spell, written in a mystical cipher. If the spell is on your class's spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without providing any material components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible.
Does copying a spell scroll destroy it 5e? ›When a spell is copied from a spell scroll, the copier must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) check with a DC equal to 10 + the spell's level. If the check succeeds, the spell is successfully copied. Whether the check succeeds or fails, the spell scroll is destroyed.
How much does a Cantrip cost? ›A cantrip is a free and usually weak bit of magic.
They are level 0 spells. They cost nothing, not even a spell slot, so fire away.
A spell scroll bears the words of a single spell, written in a mystical cipher. If the spell is on your class's spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without providing any material components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible.
How long does it take to make a 9th level spell scroll? ›
Beyond just the amount of money players are expected to spend on their spell scrolls, it's also an incredibly long time to produce a scroll, with a 3rd-level scroll taking a week of work and a 9th-level spell taking 48 weeks to produce.
Are 9th level spells worth it? ›Most ninth level spells are incredibly useful in one way or another, but knowing which ones are the best and what circumstances they're ideal for is the key to mastering the game. Even for the most powerful level 20 character, ninth level spell slots are a precious, limited resource that should not be wasted.
What is the 12th level spell? ›In Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, there was a book that included a twelfth level spell - Karsus's Avatar. The function of Karsus's Avatar (as described in Netheril: Empire of Magic) is that it lets the character become a god by usurping the position of an existing deity.
Can spell scrolls be counterspelled? ›Thus, if someone is visibly casting a spell from a scroll within 60 feet of a counterspelling wizard, the spell from the scroll can be countered. If the counterspell succeeds, "[the] spell fails and has no effect."
What is the most powerful 3rd level spell 5e? ›- 1 Revivify. In previous editions of D&D, the ability to revive the dead was an ability that only high-level clerics could access.
- 2 Call Lightning. ...
- 3 Fireball. ...
- 4 Crusader's Mantle. ...
- 5 Spirit Guardians. ...
- 6 Invisibility 10' Radius. ...
- 7 Tenser's Deadly Strike. ...
- 8 Fly. ...
Level | Time Cost | Gold Cost |
---|---|---|
6th | 8 weeks | 15,000 gp |
7th | 16 weeks | 25,000 gp |
8th | 32 weeks | 50,000 gp |
9th | 48 weeks | 250,000 gp |
The cost to cast Find Familiar is 10 gold. The only part that matters is there is 10 gold worth of material components, the rest is flavor.
How much is spirit spellbook worth? ›About 5.5-6m coins.
Does copying a spell increase storm count? ›The storm ability only counts spells that are cast. It does not count when copies of spells are put on the stack. For example, if a Lightning Bolt is played, and it is copied by Reverberate, only two spells have been cast. The copy of Lightning Bolt that was created by Reverberate will not be counted.
Are signature spellbook cards legal? ›Are Signature Spellbook Cards Legal? Signature Spellbook reprints are legal if the card is already legal in that format. But Signature Spellbook reprints don't count as sets being released, so they don't automatically make the card legal in Standard or any other rotating formats.
How many arrows should I carry? ›
Bow quivers for carrying your arrows typically gives you options for taking three to seven arrows (average). If hunting as minimalistic as possible is important to you then hunting with three arrows dedicated for deer is your most efficient option.
How much does level 13 arrows do? ›Card Level | 1 | 13 |
---|---|---|
Area Damage | 48 | 148 |
Crown Tower Damage | 14 | 44 |
In dnd 5e Counterspell is mostly locked into the arcane casters and can be found on the Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard spell list. It's a 3rd level spell, which means a sorcerer, warlock, or Wizard of 5th level can cast it if they choose to learn it or put it in their spellbook.
How many spells can a Level 1 Sorcerer know? ›At 1st level, Sorcerers know 4 Cantrips and 2 Spells. The only way a Sorcerer can trade their spells, is when they earn a level, they can swap one of their known spells for another one.
What is the best 1st level spell in 5e? ›- 8 Bless.
- 7 Wrathful Smite.
- 6 Thunderwave.
- 5 Burning Hands.
- 4 False Life.
- 3 Chromatic Orb.
- 2 Detect Magic.
- 1 Magic Missile.
A wizard can only copy a cantrip from a scroll into a spellbook if the DM allows it. Typically this is not allowed because typically your spellbook reflects the spells you “know” and you can only “know” so many cantrips.
Does copying a spell count as casting? ›To copy a spell, activated ability, or triggered ability means to put a copy of it onto the stack; a copy of a spell isn't cast and a copy of an activated ability isn't activated.
Can you counter a copy spell? ›Copies of spells in the stack are not dependent on if the original spell resolves or not. They will resolve all on their own if you counter the original Dreadbore. Note that the copies of the spell can be countered as well.
What is the strongest cantrip? ›- 1 Guidance Makes Characters Better At Almost Anything.
- 2 Eldritch Blast Is The Game's Best Combat Cantrip. ...
- 3 Minor Illusion Tricks People's Perceptions For Free. ...
- 4 Mind Sliver Makes Bigger Spells Easier To Land. ...
- 5 Prestidigitation Covers A Huge Range Of Effects. ...
You cannot cast two cantrips during one action.
That's why many cantrips scale as you level. To further explain what you read, if you cast a spell as a bonus action, you can only use your action to cast a cantrip. For example, there's a monster next to you.
Do you get unlimited cantrips? ›
Any character can cast any cantrips they know at will and an unlimited number of times, unless the feature that lets them cast it specifically says otherwise.
What is a 10th level spell? ›The 10th-level spells included Lefeber's weave mythal (which creates a powerful ward around a city), Proctive's move mountain (which removes the top of a mountain), and Tolodine's killing word (which kills all lifeforms across a massive area).
How many spell levels are there? ›Every spell has a level from 0 to 9. A spell's level is a general indicator of how powerful it is, with the lowly (but still impressive) magic missile at 1st Level and the earth--shaking wish at 9th. Cantrips—simple but powerful Spells that Characters can cast almost by rote—are level 0.
What is best 4th level wizard spell? ›- 8 Blight.
- 7 Ice Storm.
- 6 Locate Creature.
- 5 Dimension Door.
- 4 Vitriolic Sphere.
- 3 Wall Of Fire.
- 2 Confusion.
- 1 Evard's Black Tentacles.
If an opponent casts a level 9 spell, you counter with a level 3 slot, then the DC is 10 + 9 = 19. The only time you don't roll a check is if your counterspell spell slot is equal or higher than the spell slot being cast.
Can wish duplicate a 9th level spell? ›Yes. You may attempt to do anything with this spell, but going outside the duplication of an 8th level or lower spell represents risk.
How many crafts does it take to make a spell talisman? ›Players may hold and cast spell cards according to their craft level. 3 craft allows you to hold and cast 1 spell per turn, 4 or 5 craft increases your limit to 2 spells per turn and at 6 craft and above your maximum spell limit increases to 3.
What is the most damaging spell in 5e? ›Meteor Swarm does the most damage in a single turn (40D6 on a failed save half fire and bludgeoning, an average of 140 if the save fails and a creature doesn't have resistance or immunity, 70 if it saves).
What is the best wizard Cantrip damage? ›Toll the Dead is one of the highest-damaging cantrips in D&D. It also lets the wizard apply it at a reasonable range, keeping them safe from enemies. Furthermore, it deals necrotic damage. This is a rare damage type that only a few enemies resist.
Is it worth upcasting fireball? ›There are times when any of the damage dealing spells being upcast to 9th would be very effective. Fireball for example could wipe out a large number of enemies if upcast. There is also the benefit of making the spell highly resistant to an attempt at counterspell.
What is Karsus's spell? ›
Karsus's avatar was a very powerful spell which altered the very disposition of reality. The user of this spell could attain the ability to bend reality itself to their whim.
What's the unlocking spell? ›Alohomora is the incantation for the unlocking charm. It can be used to unlock doors or windows and is also used as a counter-charm to open doors locked by the Locking Spell. The first use of the Unlocking Charm in the western world can be traced to Eldon Elsrickle.
What level was Karsus? ›...
From D&D Wiki.
12th-level Transmutation | |
---|---|
Casting time: | 1 Day |
Duration: | 6 hours |
Casters: | 16 |
Instant, sorcery, and Dragon spells you control can't be countered. This spell can't be countered. Tears of Valakut deals 5 damage to target creature with flying.
What spells can't be Counterspelled? ›Instant, sorcery, and Dragon spells you control can't be countered. Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell from your hand, if Taigam, Ojutai Master attacked this turn, that spell gains rebound. (Exile the spell as it resolves.
Can an invisible creature be Counterspelled? ›“A creature you touch becomes invisible until the spell ends. Anything the target is wearing or carrying is invisible as long as it is on the target's person. The spell ends for a target that attacks or casts a spell.” Yes, you can counterspell.
How much is a spellbook worth DND? ›copying an spell into an spellbook takes an certain amount of gold depending on the level of the spell, your wizard subclass and other factors, but tends to be at 50 gold pieces per spell.
How much do items sell for 5e? ›Rarity also determines the base price for a magic item. It's value. Common items are worth 100 gp, uncommon ones are worth 500 gp, rare items are worth 5,000 gp, very rare items are worth 50,000 gp, and legendary items are worth a whopping 500,000 gp.
Where can I sell spell scrolls in Skyrim? ›Scrolls can only be sold to spell merchants and general good merchants.
What rarity is a 3rd level spell scroll? ›How rare is a tidal spellbook? ›
The tidal spellbook is a ranged magic weapon in the hydro class that can shoot solidified balls of water horizontally. Prior to the June 3, 2022 update, wizard lizards and the Wizard Boss had a 0.025% chance of dropping a tidal spellbook blueprint upon...
Is Ultimate spellbook popular? ›URF, ARURF and Ultimate Spellbook are some of the most popular alternate modes in League of Legends, and fans were quite excited to know which one was next in line to rotate onto the live servers.
How much should I resell items for? ›50-30-10 RULE: Near-to-new items should be sold for 50 percent of their retail price; slightly used items at 25-30 percent of retail; and well-worn items at 10 percent of retail.
How much gold should a level 10 character have? ›Level | PC Wealth upon reaching level (Rounded Amount) |
---|---|
9 | 12,019g (12,000g) |
10 | 16,563g (17,000g) |
11 | 21,108g (21,000g) |
12 | 30,161g (30,000g) |
If your DM allows it, the DMG (p. 135) recommends about 500 gp for a uncommon item (example: +1 weapon) and 5,000 gp for a rare item (example: +2 weapon). If you are in Adventurers' League, you will likely be able to soon buy a +1 weapon from your faction for 500 gp (check with your AL DM for further information).
Who is the best to sell to in Skyrim? ›- 1 All Thieves Guild Fences And Merchants.
- 2 Adrienne & Ulfberth Of The Warmaiden's - Whiterun. ...
- 3 Eorlund Gray-Mane, The Blacksmith - Winterhold. ...
- 4 Oengul War-Anvil, The Blacksmith - Windhelm. ...
- 5 Beirand, The Blacksmith - Solitude. ...
- 6 Neloth, A Mage Merchange - Tel Mithryn. ...
- There's a smith, an apothecary, a jeweler, a mage and three general merchants. ...
- Two of the vendors are trainers (smithing and light armor), so you can pay to train, and then they have extra money so you can sell all your stuff.
- The Thieve's Guild is in Riften.
After using the scroll during the quest Alduin's Bane, it is possible to sell it to Urag gro-Shub at the College of Winterhold for 2,000 gold.
What is the highest rarity in DND? ›There are six different magic item rarities, from most to least available: common, uncommon, rare, very rare, legendary, and artifact.