Spellcasting Traditions

PF2e has four magical traditions, each with its own spell list, associated skills, and flavor.

Arcane (Intelligence): Magic of patterns, rules, and formulas. Associated skill: Arcana. Covers a broad range including blasting, illusion, divination, and summoning. Used by Wizards and some Sorcerers.

Divine (Wisdom): Magic of gods and cosmic forces. Associated skill: Religion. Covers healing, protection, smiting, and planar magic. Used by Clerics and Champions.

Occult (Charisma): Magic of hidden truths and the mind. Associated skill: Occultism. Covers enchantment, illusion, divination, and psychic effects. Used by Bards and some Sorcerers.

Primal (Wisdom): Magic of nature and raw elements. Associated skill: Nature. Covers elemental magic, life, animals, and transformation. Used by Druids, Rangers (with feats), and some Sorcerers.

Prepared vs. Spontaneous:

• Prepared: You choose specific spells each morning (Wizards, Clerics, Druids). You can cast each prepared spell once per slot. More flexible day-to-day but limited in casting repetition.
• Spontaneous: You know a fixed list of spells and can cast any of them with any available spell slot (Bards, Sorcerers). Less variety but more flexible per-combat.

Spell Slots: Spells are ranked 1-10. You gain slots of increasing rank as you level.

Focus Spells: Separate from spell slots, powered by a focus pool. Maximum 3 focus points. Casting a focus spell costs 1 focus point. Refocus (10 minutes): Spend 10 minutes of exploration to regain 1 focus point (not all of them). Specific class feats at higher levels let you regain 2 or all 3 focus points when you Refocus. Each class has unique focus spells (e.g., Monk Ki Spells, Cleric Domain Spells, Wizard School Spells, Champion Devotion Spells). You start with a focus pool of 1 point and gain additional points (up to 3) as you acquire more focus spells through feats.