The forces of magic can be divided among multiple depending on personal or cultural philosophies. The ones described in the DMG and PHB are simply the most common divisions and as such are often muddied as spells which don't fall into neat boxes shift along the spectrum over time. The following are optional variants that a person may divide spells. While multiple classifications for spell schools may exist in the same world, it is unlikely that one character would use multiple classification systems simultaneously.
(Authors Note: While the different systems may have certain characteristics that overlap due to similarities in the way that one may divide types of magic they are intended to work wholly independently or in conjunction with one another. As a result schools that share many similar properties may be given names which are synonyms so as to not cause confusion if multiple systems are used. Example being: Transmutation, Modification, and Alteration. While these schools cover fundamentally similar ideas they are distinct to their system.)
Arcanum
Arcanum is a classification of magic based around the fundamental building blocks of magical energy. Those who follow the tradition of Arcanum recognize 10 types of magic: Death, Fate, Forces, Life, Matter, Mind, Prime, Space, Spirit, and Time.
Spells are mostly commonly a description of the result, but these effects can often be achieved in different methods depending on the source of the magic used. Some spells may even require the blending of multiple Arcanum to achieve the desired results. Consequently a spell may fall under multiple Arcanum.
Death
Death is the Arcanum dealing with the concept of death, caring more for the metaphysical associations rather than the literal absence of life. A mage can use Death to steal or trap souls, speak with the dead, raise and control undead minions, and return the dead to life.
Fate
Fate is the Arcanum dealing with abstract concepts of destiny and probability. A mage can use Fate to bestow blessings, sealing oaths, and influencing random events. This magic can not predict the outcome of events, merely influence them.
Forces
Forces is the Arcanum dealing with the concrete concept of energy. A mage can use Forces to create or otherwise manipulate: heat, light, radiation, electricity, and gravity.
Life
Life is the Arcanum dealing with anything living. A mage can use Life to heal wounds, transform or otherwise alter the bodies of living creatures, manipulate plants, and spread disease.
Matter
Matter is the Arcanum dealing with physical objects. A mage can use Matter to repair broken objects, transmute one substance into another, change the shape of matter, destroy objects, and create objects out of nothing.
Mind
Mind is the Arcanum dealing with the concept of thought. A mage can use Mind to aid in communication, create hallucinations, read or control minds, and connect telepathically.
Prime
Prime is the Arcanum dealing with the concept of magic itself. A mage can use Prime to sense magic, read auras, alter spells, dispel the magic of others, and imbue mundane objects with magical effects.
Space
Space is the Arcanum dealing with distance physical and metaphysical. A mage can use Space to conjure forth objects from other locations, teleport, shift between planes, and access remote viewing.
Spirit
Spirit is the Arcanum dealing with the abstract concept of essence, the inherit metaphysical energy of the inanimate but also the very being of many outsiders—beings from other planes. A mage can use Spirit to rouse the inanimate into acting, travel the Astral or Ethereal planes, ward off creatures of different planes.
Time
Time is the Arcanum dealing with the flow of time. A mage can use Time to divine the future, view the past, and alter the speed at which time affects an object or creature.
Spell Lists
| Death Spells | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cantrips | 1st level | 2nd level |
| Chill Touch Toll the Dead(XGE) |
Arms of Hadar False Life Inflict Wounds |
Blindness/Deafness Darknesss Gentle Repose Ray of Enfeeblement Shadow Blade(XGE) |
| 3rd level | 4th level | 5th level |
| Animate Dead Feign Death Speak with Dead Vampiric Touch |
Blight Death Ward Shadow of Moil(XGE) Sickening Radiance(XGE) |
Antilife Shell Danse Macabre(XGE) Enervation(XGE) Negative Energy Flood(XGE) |
| 6th level | 7th level | 8th level |
| Circle of Death Create Undead Eyebite Magic Jar Soul Cage(XGE) |
Finger of Death Tether Essence(EGW) |
Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting(EEPC) |
| 9th level | ||
| Power Word Kill | ||
| Fate Spells | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cantrips | 1st level | 2nd level |
| Blade Ward Guidance Resistance True Strike |
Bane Bless Ceremony(XGE) Guiding Bolt Heroism Hex Mage Armor Shield of Faith |
Aid Find Traps Fortune's Favor(EGW) Lesser Restoration Pass without Trace Warding Bond |
| 3rd level | 4th level | 5th level |
| Bestow Curse Motivational Speech(AI) Remove Curse |
Freedom of Movement | Geas |
| 6th level | 7th level | 8th level |
| Power Word Pain(XGE) Sequester |
Holy Aura | |
| 9th level | ||
| Invulnerability(XGE) | ||
| Forces Spells | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cantrips | 1st level | 2nd level |
| Booming Blade(SCAG) Control Flames(EEPC) Create Bonfire(EEPC) Dancing Lights Eldritch Blast Fire Bolt Frostbite(EEPC) Green-Flame Blade(SCAG) Gust(EEPC) Light Lightning Lure(SCAG) Produce Flame Ray of Frost Shocking Grasp Thaumaturgy Thunderclap(EEPC) |
Absorb Elements(EEPC) Burning Hands(EEPC) Catapult(EEPC) Chaos Bolt(XGE) Chromatic Orb Earth Tremor(EEPC) Feather Fall Frost Fingers(RotF) Hellish Rebuke Jump Magnify Gravity(EGtW) Searing Smite Thunderous Smite Thunderwave Witch Bolt Wrathful Smite Zephyr Strike(XGE) |
Aganazzar's Scorcher(EEPC) Branding Smite Continual Flame Dragon's Breath(XGE) Earthbind(EEPC) Flame Blade Flaming Sphere Gust of Wind Heat Metal Invisibility Jim's Glowing Coin(AI) Levitate Moonbeam Pass without Trace Pyrotechnics(EEPC) Scorching Ray Shatter Silence Warding Wind(EEPC) |
| 3rd level | 4th level | 5th level |
| Blinding Smite Call Lightning Crusader's Mantle Daylight Fireball Flame Arrows(EEPC) Fly Lightning Arrow Lightning Bolt Protection from Energy Pulse Wave(EGW) Wind Wall |
Fire Shield Gravity Sinkhole(EGW) Greater Invisibility Staggering Smite Storm Sphere(EEPC) Wall of Fire |
Cone of Cold Control Winds(EEPC) Dawn(XGE) Destructive Wave Flame Strike Immolation(EEPC) Wall of Light(XGE) |
| 6th level | 7th level | 8th level |
| Chain Lightning Disintegrate Gravity Fissure(EGW) Investiture of Flame(EEPC) Investiture of Wind(EEPC) Primordial Ward(EEPC) Sunbeam Wind Walk |
Crown of Stars(XGE) Fire Storm Reverse Gravity Whirlwind(EEPC) |
Control Weather Dark Star(EGW) Earthquake Sunburst |
| 9th level | ||
| Prismatic Wall Ravenous Void(EGW) |
||
| Life Spells | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cantrips | 1st level | 2nd level |
| Druidcraft Infestation(XGE) Primal Savagery(XGE) Sapping Sting(EGW) Spare the Dying Thorn Whip |
Cure Wounds Detect Poison and Disease Entangle Expeditious Retreat Goodberry Healing Word Jump Longstrider Purify Food and Drink Ray of Sickness |
Alter Self Barkskin Beast Sense Enhance Ability Enlarge/Reduce Lesser Restoration Locate Animals or Plants Prayer of Healing Protection from Poison Spider Climb Spike Growth |
| 3rd level | 4th level | 5th level |
| Aura of Vitality Life Transference(XGE) Mass Healing Word Plant Growth Speak with Plants Water Breathing |
Aura of Life Aura of Purity Giant Insect Grasping Vine Polymorph Stoneskin |
Contagion Insect Plague Mass Cure Wounds Skill Empowerment(XGE) |
| 6th level | 7th level | 8th level |
| Harm Heal Tenser's Transmutation(XGE) Wall of Thorns |
Regenerate | Animal Shapes |
| 9th level | ||
| Mass Heal Mass Polymorph(XGE) Power Word Heal Shapechange True Polymorph |
||
| Matter Spells | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cantrips | 1st level | 2nd level |
| Acid Splash Blade Ward Frostbite(EEPC) Mending Mold Earth(EEPC) Poison Spray Shape Water(EEPC) Thorn Whip |
Create or Destroy Water Earth Tremor(EEPC) Floating Disk Fog Cloud Grease Hail of Thorns Ice Knife(EEPC) Tenser's Floating Disk |
Acid Arrow Cloud of Daggers Cordon of Arrows Enlarge/Reduce Immovable Object(EGW) Invisibility Knock Maximilian's Earthen Grasp(EEPC) Melf's Acid Arrow Skywrite(EEPC) Sniloc's Snowball Swarm(EEPC) Spike Growth Web |
| 3rd level | 4th level | 5th level |
| Conjure Barrage Create Food and Water Erupting Earth(EEPC) Galder's Tower(LLoK) Meld into Stone Melf's Minute Meteors(EEPC) Sleet Storm Stingking Cloud Tidal Wave(EEPC) Wall of Sand(EEPC) Wall of Water(EEPC) Water Walk |
Control Water Fabricate Ice Storm Otiluke's Resilient Sphere Resilient Sphere Stone Shape Vitriolic Sphere(EEPC) Watery Sphere(EEPC) |
Cloudkill Conjure Volley Creation Maelstrom(EEPC) Passwall Transmute Rock(EEPC) Wall of Stone |
| 6th level | 7th level | 8th level |
| Blade Barrier Bones of Earth(EEPC) Freezing Sphere Globe of Invulnerability Investiture of Ice(EEPC) Investiture of Stone(EEPC) Move Earth Otiluke's Freezing Sphere Wall of Ice Wall of Thorns |
Magnificent Mansion Simulacrum |
Incendiary Cloud Mighty Fortress(XGE) Tsunami |
| 9th level | ||
| Meteor Swarm | ||
| Mind Spells | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cantrips | 1st level | 2nd level |
| Encode Thoughts(GGR) Friends Message Minor Illusion Prestidigitation Vicious Mockery |
Animal Friendship Beast Bond(EEPC) Cause Fear(XGE) Charm Person Command Compelled Duel Comprehend Languages Disguise Self Dissonant Whispers Distort Value(AI) Hideous Laughter Hunter's Mark Illusory Script Silent Image Sleep Speak with Animals Tasha's Hideous Laughter |
Animal Messenger Augury Calm Emotions Crown of Madness Detect Thoughts Enthrall Gift of the Gab(AI) Hold Person Locate Object Magic Mouth Mind Spike(XGE) Mirror Image Phantasmal Force Suggestion Zone of Truth |
| 3rd level | 4th level | 5th level |
| Clairvoyance Enemies Abound(XGE) Fast Friends(AI) Fear Hypnotic Pattern Incite Greed(AI) Major Image Sending Tongues |
Charm Monster(XGE) Compulsion Confusion Dominate Beast Hallucinatory Terrain |
Awaken Commune Commune with Nature Dominate Person Dream Hold Monster Legend Lore Mislead Modify Memory Rary's Telepathic Bond Seeming Synaptic Static(XGE) Telekinesis Telepathic Bond |
| 6th level | 7th level | 8th level |
| Mass Suggestion Mental Prison(XGE) Otto's Irresistible Dance Programmed Illusion |
Mirage Arcane Prismatic Spray Project Image |
Antipathy/Sympathy Dominate Monster Feeblemind Glibness Illusory Dragon(XGE) Mind Blank Power Word Stun Telepathy |
| 9th level | ||
| Psychic Scream(XGE) Weird |
||
| Prime Spells | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cantrips | 1st level | 2nd level |
| Sacred Flame Word of Radiance(XGE) |
Detect Magic Divine Favor Faerie Fire Identify Jim's Magic Missile(AI) Magic Missile |
Arcane Lock Arcanist's Magic Aura Darkvision Magic Weapon Nystul's Magic Aura See Invisibility Spiritual Weapon |
| 3rd level | 4th level | 5th level |
| Counterspell
Dispel Magic Glyph of Warding |
Holy Weapon(XGE) | |
| 6th level | 7th level | 8th level |
| True Seeing | True Seeing | |
| 9th level | ||
| Space Spells | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cantrips | 1st level | 2nd level |
| Alarm Shield |
Misty Step Rope Trick Wristpocket(EGW) |
|
| 3rd level | 4th level | 5th level |
| Blink Hunger of Hadar Leomund's Tiny Hut Magic Circle Summon Lesser Demons(XGE) Tiny Hut |
Arcane Eye Banishment Black Tentacles Dimension Door Evard's Black Tentacles Leomund's Secret Chest Locate Creature Mordenkainen's Private Sanctum Private Sanctum Secret Chesst Summon Greater Demons(XGE) |
Banishing Smite Circle of Power Conjure Elemental Far Step(XGE) Infernal Calling(XGE) Scrying Steel Wind StrikeXGE Teleportation Circle Wall of Force |
| 6th level | 7th level | 8th level |
| Arcane Gate Drawmij's Instant Summons Find the Path Guards and Wards Instant Summons Scatter(XGE) Word of Recall |
Force Cage Mordenkainen's Sword Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion Plane Shift Symbol Teleport |
Demiplane Maze |
| 9th level | ||
| Blade of Disastor(RotF) Gate Imprisonment |
||
| Spirit Spells | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cantrips | 1st level | 2nd level |
| Mage Hand Sword Burst(XGE) |
Armor of Agathys Detect Evil and Good Find Familiar Protection from Evil and Good Sanctuary Unseen Servant |
Find Steed Flock of Familiars(LLoK) |
| 3rd level | 4th level | 5th level |
| Conjure Animals Phantom Steed Spirit Guardians Tiny Servant(XGE) |
Conjure Minor Elementals Conjure Woodland Beings Faithful Hound Find Greater Steed(XGE) Galder's Speedy Courier(LLoK) Guardian of Faith Guardian of Nature(XGE) Mordenkainen's Faithful Hound Phantasmal Killer |
Animate Objects Arcane Hand Bigby's Hand Dispel Evil and Good Hallow Planar Binding Wrath of Nature (XGtE)(XGE) |
| 6th level | 7th level | 8th level |
| Conjure Fey Druid Grove(XGE) Forbiddance |
Conjure Celestial Etherealness |
|
| 9th level | ||
| Astral Projection | ||
| Time Spells | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cantrips | 1st level | 2nd level |
| Gift of Alacrity(EGW) | Blur | |
| 3rd level | 4th level | 5th level |
| Catnap(XGE)Haste Slow |
Divination | Temporal Shunt(EGW) |
| 6th level | 7th level | 8th level |
| Contingency | Reality Break(EGW) | |
| 9th level | ||
| Foresight Time Ravage(EGW) Time Stop |
||
Multi-Arcanum Spells
Cantrips
- Magic Stone (EEPC) <Forces> <Prime>
- Shillelagh <Life> <Prime>
1st Level
- Color Spray <Forces> <Mind>
- Ensnaring Strike (PHB) <Life> <Matter>
- Snare (XGtE) <Matter> <Space>
2nd Level
- Dust Devil (EEPC) <Forces> <Spaces>
- Healing Spirit (XGtE) <Life> <Spirit>
3rd Level
- Revivify <Death> <Fate>
- Beacon of Hope <Fate> <Life>
- Nondetection <Fate> <Prime>
- Thunder Step (XGtE) <Forces> <Space>
- Gaseous Form <Life> <Matter>
- Elemental Weapon (PHB) <Forces> <Prime>
4th Level
- Elemental Bane (EEPC) <Fate> <Forces>
5th Level
- Raise Dead <Death> <Fate>
- Greater Restoration <Fate> <Life>
- Reincarnate <Fate> <Life>
- Contact Other Plane <Mind> <Space>
- Tree Stride <Life> <Space>
- Swift Quiver (PHB) <Matter> <Space>
6th Level
- Heroes' Feast <Fate> <Life>
- Transport via Plants <Life> <Space>
- Flesh to Stone <Life> <Matter>
- Create Homunculus (XGtE) <Matter> <Mind>
- Planar Ally <Mind> <Space>
7th Level
- Resurrection <Death> <Fate>
- Divine Word <Fate> <Spirit>
- Delayed Blast Fireball <Forces>
- Create Magen (RotF) <Life> <Matter>
- Temple of the Gods (XGtE) <Matter> <Spirit>
8th Level
- Maddening Darkness (XGtE) <Death> <Matter>
- Clone <Death> <Life>
9th Level
- True Resurrection <Death> <Forces>
- Storm of Vengeance <Forces> <Matter>
- Wish <ALL>
Spell School by Color
White
Blue
Black
Red
Green
Spell Lists
Spell School by Process
Name: WIP
Creation
Short: The creation of something from nothing Long: WIP
Modification
Short: Changing the properties of a thing Long: WIP
Enhancement
Short: Amplifying a property a thing already possesses Long: WIP
Channeling
Short: Moving existing energy Long: WIP
Manipulation
Short: Moving existing matter Long: WIP
Spell Lists
WIP
Elder Scrolls Esque
Name: WIP
Alteration
Summoning
Destruction
Deception
Mysticism
Restoration
Spell Losts
WIP
