Spell System Guide

Q: Which classes can cast spells in Lourdin RPG?

Four classes are full spellcasters: Wizard (INT-based, highest damage, AoE specialist), Cleric (WIS-based, healing + radiant damage), Paladin (CHA-based, Divine Smite burst + support), and Bard (CHA-based, Bardic Inspiration + debuffs). Rangers have limited nature spells powered by WIS.

Q: How does mana work in Lourdin RPG?

Mana is the spellcasting resource for caster classes. Starting mana is 6–10 depending on class and scales with level and spellcasting stat modifier. Mana fully restores after every combat encounter. Each spell costs a set amount of mana — spending it all forces you to use basic weapon attacks until the fight ends.

Q: How do AoE spells work in Lourdin RPG?

AoE spells hit multiple enemies simultaneously. Targeting types include: All Enemies (hits every enemy on the board), Zone (hits all enemies in a named zone like Vanguard or Rear), Cone (hits enemies in a directional spread), and Splash (hits primary target plus adjacent hexes). AoE spells are most mana-efficient when 3 or more enemies are in range.

Q: What is a spell saving throw in Lourdin RPG?

Some spells force the target to make a saving throw rather than using an attack roll. The Spell Save DC is calculated as 8 + Spellcasting Stat Modifier + Proficiency Bonus. The enemy rolls 1d20 against this DC — if they fail they take full damage or suffer the full effect; if they succeed they typically take half damage or resist the effect entirely.

Q: How do spell cooldowns work in Lourdin RPG?

Powerful spells have cooldowns measured in turns. After casting a cooldown spell, a counter decrements at the end of each of your turns until it reaches zero and the spell is available again. For example, Fireball has a 3-turn cooldown — after casting it you must wait 3 full turns before casting it again. Cooldowns reset fully after each combat encounter.

Overview

Four classes cast spells in Lourdin RPG: Wizard (INT), Cleric (WIS), Paladin (CHA), and Bard (CHA). Each spell costs mana, which fully restores after every combat encounter. Spells are delivered via attack roll, saving throw, or auto-hit depending on the spell. Powerful spells have turn-based cooldowns. Monsters also cast spells — their archetype determines how aggressively.

Lourdin RPG features a comprehensive D&D 5e-inspired spell system for spellcasting classes. Spells use mana, have cooldowns, level requirements, and affect single or multiple targets through five distinct AoE delivery methods. Even monsters use spells — their archetype determines how aggressively they cast.

Master arcane, divine, or bardic magic to become a powerful force on any battlefield.

Which Classes Can Cast Spells in Lourdin RPG?

Four character classes can cast spells, each with unique mechanics and spell focuses:

Class	Casting Stat	Spell Focus	Mana Pool
Wizard	Intelligence	Damage, AoE, Control	High — scales with INT
Cleric	Wisdom	Healing, Support, Radiant	Medium — scales with WIS
Paladin	Charisma	Smites, Healing, Auras	Low — scales with CHA
Bard	Charisma	Debuffs, Healing, Buffs	Medium — scales with CHA

What the Spellcasting Stat Affects

Spell Attack Bonus: Added to d20 rolls on spell attacks
Spell Save DC: 8 + Stat Modifier + Proficiency Bonus — what enemies must beat
Mana Pool Size: Higher stat = more mana per level
Healing/Damage Bonus: Some spells add your stat modifier to the effect

How Does the Mana System Work?

Mana is consumed every time you cast a spell. Each spell has a fixed mana cost shown in the spell selection UI.

Mana Pool Formulas by Class

Wizard: 10 + ((Level - 1) * 5) + (Level * INT Modifier)
Cleric: 8 + ((Level - 1) * 4) + (Level * WIS Modifier)
Paladin: 6 + ((Level - 1) * 3) + (Level * CHA Modifier)
Bard: 8 + ((Level - 1) * 4) + (Level * CHA Modifier)

Mana Regeneration

After Combat: Full mana restored when the encounter ends
Mana Potions: Restore mana during combat — buy from the Merchant
Leveling Up: Maximum mana increases with level and stat improvements

Mana Management Strategy

Don't spend all your mana on the first enemies — save big spells for difficult waves
Keep emergency healing spells in reserve
When mana runs low, switch to weapon attacks to preserve resources
Carry Mana Potions for extended or Deadly encounters
Mana is fully restored after combat — spend it aggressively in long single fights

What Types of Spells Are Available?

1. Damage Spells

Examples: Magic Missile, Fireball, Lightning Bolt, Sacred Flame, Scorching Ray
Damage Types: Fire, Cold, Lightning, Thunder, Force, Radiant, Necrotic, Psychic, Acid
Use Case: Primary offense — choose the right element to exploit monster vulnerabilities

2. Healing Spells

Examples: Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Mass Healing Word, Lay on Hands
Healing Bonus: Most healing spells add your casting stat modifier to the total
Use Case: Emergency survivability in solo play; keeping the party alive in multiplayer

3. Buff Spells

Examples: Shield (+5 AC for 1 turn), Bless (+1d4 to attacks for 3 turns), Shield of Faith (+2 AC), Bardic Inspiration (+1d6 to next roll)
Duration: Typically 1–5 turns depending on the spell
Use Case: Increase party damage or survivability before tough encounters

4. Debuff Spells

Examples: Vicious Mockery (-1d4 to enemy attacks), Slow (-2 AC + disadvantage), Blindness, Hold Person
Effects: Attack penalties, stunned, DoT, AC reduction
Use Case: Neutralize the most dangerous enemy — a stunned Brute deals zero damage

Spell Delivery Methods

Every spell uses one of four delivery methods that determine whether it hits and how it deals damage:

1. Auto-Hit

Spell always hits — no attack roll required. Guaranteed effect.

No roll needed — effect applies automatically

Examples: Magic Missile (3d4+3 force), Cure Wounds, Healing Word
Best For: Guaranteed damage when you can't afford to miss

2. Spell Attack Roll

Roll d20 + spellcasting modifier vs. target's AC. Can critically hit on a Natural 20.

1d20 + Casting Stat Modifier + Proficiency Bonus vs. Target AC

Examples: Ray of Frost, Scorching Ray, Guiding Bolt
Critical Hit: Natural 20 doubles damage dice — same as weapon crits

3. Saving Throw

The target rolls a saving throw against your Spell Save DC. Failure means full effect.

Spell Save DC = 8 + Casting Stat Modifier + Proficiency Bonus

Examples: Fireball (DEX save), Thunderwave (CON save), Hold Person (WIS save), Slow (WIS save)
Failed Save: Full damage or full effect applied
Successful Save: Half damage (damage spells) or no effect (control spells)

Saving Throw Types:

DEX: Most common — dodge AoE effects like Fireball and Thunderwave
CON: Resist poison, disease, physical force
WIS: Resist mind control, charm, Hold Person
STR: Resist physical push, grapple
INT: Resist illusions and mind tricks
CHA: Resist banishment and possession

4. Self-Target

Spell affects only the caster — no roll needed, instant effect.

Examples: Shield, Haste, Stoneskin, Lay on Hands
Best For: Personal buffs and emergency self-healing

Area of Effect (AoE) Targeting

AoE spells can damage or affect multiple targets simultaneously — the most powerful force multiplier in the game.

AoE Targeting Types

1. Single Target

Affects one enemy. Most spells and all weapon attacks use this.

Examples: Magic Missile (single), Cure Wounds, Ray of Frost

2. All Enemies

Hits every enemy in combat simultaneously. No target limit.

Examples: Fireball, Thunderwave, Chain Lightning
Mechanic: Each enemy rolls a separate saving throw
Best For: Large groups — use when facing 3+ enemies

3. Multi-Target

Hit up to X chosen targets (typically 2–3). Player selects specific enemies.

Examples: Scorching Ray (3 targets), Eldritch Blast (multi-beam)
Best For: Splitting damage between high-priority targets

4. Cleave

Primary target takes full damage; a secondary target takes reduced splash damage.

Primary: 100% damage
Secondary: Typically 50% damage
Best For: Focus damage with bonus splash pressure

5. Chain Lightning

Bounces between targets with diminishing damage per bounce.

Target 1: 100% | Target 2: 75% | Target 3: 50%
Examples: Chain Lightning, Arc Lightning

Cooldown System

Powerful spells have cooldowns measured in turns. The cooldown countdown appears in the spell selection UI.

How Cooldowns Work

Cast a spell with a cooldown (e.g., Fireball — 4-turn cooldown)
Spell becomes unavailable for X turns — shown in the spell list as "On Cooldown (3)"
Cooldown decrements by 1 at the end of each of your turns
When cooldown reaches 0, the spell becomes available again

Example Cooldowns

Divine Smite (Paladin): 3 turns
Fireball (Wizard): 4 turns
Mass Healing Word (Cleric): 5 turns
Bardic Inspiration (Bard): 2 turns

Cooldown Rotation Strategy

Save high-cooldown spells for dangerous enemies or boss encounters
Never waste Fireball on a single weak enemy — wait for a group
Plan a rotation: use Spell A on turn 1, Spell B on turn 3 while A cools down
Always have a fallback spell available — weapon attacks when all spells are cooling

Class Spell Lists

Wizard — Arcane Damage & Control

Magic Missile: 3d4+3 force, auto-hit, low mana — reliable guaranteed damage
Fireball: 8d6 fire damage to all enemies, DEX save, 4-turn CD
Lightning Bolt: 8d6 lightning to all enemies, DEX save
Shield: +5 AC for 1 turn — powerful reaction spell
Slow: -2 AC + disadvantage on target for 3 turns
Acid Splash: 1d6 acid, low mana — efficient filler

Cleric — Divine Healing & Support

Cure Wounds: 1d8 + WIS healing, single target, auto-hit
Healing Word: 1d4 + WIS healing, quick cast, low mana
Sacred Flame: 1d8 radiant, DEX save — ignores physical resistance
Bless: +1d4 to attack rolls for 3 turns — powerful party buff
Mass Healing Word: Heals all allies simultaneously, 5-turn CD

Paladin — Smites & Auras (Premium)

Divine Smite: Burst radiant damage added to a weapon attack, 3-turn CD
Lay on Hands: Self-heal, emergency use, no mana cost
Shield of Faith: +2 AC for 3 turns
Cure Light Wounds: Small targeted heal, low mana cost

Bard — Debuffs & Inspiration (Premium)

Vicious Mockery: 1d4 psychic + -1d4 to enemy attack rolls for 1 turn
Healing Word: 1d4 + CHA healing, quick cast
Bardic Inspiration: +1d6 to an ally's next roll, 2-turn CD
Dissonant Whispers: Psychic damage, WIS save, crowd control

Monster Spellcasting & Archetypes

Monsters are not passive opponents — they actively cast spells based on their archetype. Understanding which monsters cast spells and how often they do it changes your entire combat strategy.

Caster (80%) Support (60%) Skirmisher (30%) Brute (10%) Tank (5%)

Archetype	Spell Cast Chance	Spell Focus	How to Counter
Caster	~80% per turn	AoE damage, debuffs, control	Kill Casters immediately — their AoE spells can wipe parties
Support	~60% per turn	Heals and buffs allied monsters	Focus Support monsters first — preventing healing negates all your damage
Skirmisher	~30% per turn	Single-target debuffs, DoTs	Use status effect cleanse spells or Cleric dispels to remove debuffs
Brute	~10% per turn	Occasional burst damage spells	Low spell threat — treat as melee fighter, stack AC
Tank	~5% per turn	Rare self-buffs (AC, resistance)	Almost never casts — use AoE spells to strip resistances

Monster Spell Behavior

When a monster decides to cast, it selects from its assigned spell list — each monster has specific spells based on type
Caster monsters prioritize AoE spells when multiple player characters are in range
Support monsters always attempt to heal the most wounded allied monster first
Monster spells use the same mechanics as player spells — saving throws, attack rolls, mana pools
Higher difficulty encounters spawn monsters with stronger spell variants and higher Spell Save DCs

Priority Rule: In any encounter with multiple enemies, kill in this order: Support → Caster → Skirmisher → Brute → Tank. Letting a Support monster heal while you fight the Brute is the most common mistake in Lourdin combat.

Spellcasting Strategy

Solo Combat Tips

Turn 1: Use AoE spells (Fireball, Thunderwave) to deal damage to all enemies immediately
Mid Battle: Switch to single-target focus on Support and Caster archetypes
Low HP: Prioritize self-healing — dead casters deal zero damage
Low Mana: Use basic weapon attacks to conserve mana for emergencies

Party Combat Synergies

Bard + Wizard: Vicious Mockery debuff → Fireball combo = massive damage
Cleric + Party: Mass Healing Word on low-HP turns, Bless for sustained damage increase
Paladin: Save Divine Smite for when you roll a Natural 20 — doubled smite dice on crits
Communication: Call out cooldowns and mana levels so the party can time AoE bursts

Common Mistakes

Using AoE spells on a single enemy — waste of mana and cooldown
Burning all mana in wave 1 — save cooldown spells for tougher enemies
Ignoring Support monsters — they undo your entire last turn
No backup plan — weapon attacks are always available when mana is empty
Forgetting status effects — Slow or Blind on a Brute negates massive incoming damage