Spellcraft

Spellcraft is an Attribute which describes your skill at working with spells. It is vital to spellcasting of any kind.

Uses

Cast a Spell

All spells require a Spellcraft check to cast, with a DC of 10 + 5 per rank of the spell. If you have mastered a particular spell (i.e., it is a listed power that you have purchased), you may assume automatic success on this check when there are no other factors (such as taking damage during casting, casting under duress, etc). Non-mastered spells always require a check. Failure means the spell is lost, and can even lead to mishaps. Casting a spell provokes attacks of opportunity.

Note: your Spellcraft check sets the DC for avoiding or countering your spell, so always roll the check, even when assuming success on the casting itself. A higher result makes the spell harder to avoid, and a high roll can lead to critical effect. You cannot take 10 on this check whether success is automatic or not (unless granted such ability by a feat or power).

General modifiers applying to most Spellcraft checks:

Identify a Spell

At-will, free, long range; you identify one spell as it is being cast, or as you observe the effect. Roll a Spellcraft check, of the same DC as casting the spell, subject to general modifiers. On success, you identify the spell's effects and target.

Counterspell

Requires a readied action of the same type as the enemy's spell. Roll opposed Spellcraft against an enemy caster, subject to general modifiers. You must be within range of the caster or target (the range being specified by the spell being cast).

Dispel

At-will, swift, short range; roll opposed Spellcraft against an ongoing spell effect (vs. the original DC). You need not spend Mana, but for each point you don't spend, relative to the spell's cost, suffer -10 to the check. On success, the spell ends immediately.

Metamagic

There exist several "metamagic" techniques, which are augmentations of any spell, increasing the Spellcraft DC, but modifying the spell in some beneficial way. You may attempt any of these, although some Feats or Powers may make them easier.