Spell Traditions — Arcane, Divine, Occult, Primal
Four traditions: Arcane (INT, blasting/utility), Divine (WIS, healing/protection), Occult (CHA, mind/illusion), Primal (WIS, elements/nature). Each has distinct spell lists and class associations.
PF2e organizes all spells into four magical traditions, each with a different philosophy and spell list.
Arcane (Intelligence):
- Draws power from the fundamental forces of magic itself — the building blocks of reality
- Strongest in: Evocation (blasting), Transmutation (transformation), Conjuration (summoning)
- Weakest in: Healing, divine/spiritual effects
- Classes: Wizard, Magus, Witch (arcane patron)
- Spell list flavor: Fireball, Magic Missile, Teleport, Wish — the classic "wizard" toolkit
Divine (Wisdom):
- Draws power from deities, faith, and the fundamental forces of good/evil, law/chaos
- Strongest in: Healing, protection, anti-undead, buffing
- Weakest in: Elemental blasting, arcane utility
- Classes: Cleric, Champion (focus spells), Oracle
- Spell list flavor: Heal, Harm, Divine Wrath, Raise Dead — faith-powered miracles
Occult (Charisma):
- Draws power from the collective unconscious, emotions, thought, and hidden knowledge
- Strongest in: Enchantment (mental control), Illusion, divination, emotional manipulation
- Weakest in: Elemental blasting, physical transformation
- Classes: Bard, Psychic, Witch (occult patron)
- Spell list flavor: Charm, Phantasmal Killer, Synesthesia, Telepathy — mind and emotion
Primal (Wisdom):
- Draws power from the natural world — elements, animals, plants, weather
- Strongest in: Elemental damage, healing (though less than Divine), animal/plant control, terrain manipulation
- Weakest in: Mental/enchantment effects, arcane utility
- Classes: Druid, Ranger (focus spells)
- Spell list flavor: Heal (yes, Primal gets it too), Lightning Bolt, Wall of Thorns, Summon Animal
Focus Spells: Focus spells are class-specific spells powered by Focus Points (not spell slots). Each class has unique focus spells. Focus Points regenerate by Refocusing (10 minutes of rest/meditation).
Innate Spells: Innate spells come from ancestry, heritage, or other sources. They use the tradition specified by the source and are automatically heightened to half your level.