In perusing the PHB of 1st edition, I noted that the "Write" spell is absent in the 2e PHB. However, in The Complete Book of Wizards there is the "Copy" spell that closely mirrors it. However, they are a bit different, especially in the repercussions for failure for the former edition spell, and the cost of the specialized inks required to transcribe spells using it. "Copy" has no real downside, it seems.
Thus began a great debate between my friend (fellow player/DM) and I about these two spells, not the least of which is which spell should be used in our game. We both try to find a balance, but often find ourselves at different ends of the continuum (and hence, the reason for my endless queries).
Besides the obvious mundane uses for mass production of non-magical writings (an arcane version of the printing press) beyond the use of a scribe, there is the mentioned use of replicating existing spells. I see this as a way that Mage Guilds could 'mass reproduce' spells they have in reserve to sell to their members (or non-members for a higher cost).
Wondering what you all think of "Write" vs. "Copy" and which variant you would use, and why. We are still hashing it out but are slowly coming to a mutual solution.
The two spells are pretty different. Copy only works on nonmagical works, so you can't copy spell scrolls or spell books. Write, on the other hand, doesn't appear to do anything with nonmagical writing (and I'd only allow it to work on spellbooks, not spell scrolls). Write was updated to 2e in the Wizard's Spell Compendium, in Volume 4 on page 1037.
Jeff, according to the write-up of "Copy" on page 95 in Complete Book of Wizards the spell can be used on magical writing. Your updated version in the Wizard's Spell Compendium, Volume 4 may have altered that from the original version, though.
Jeff, according to the write-up of "Copy" on page 95 in Complete Book of Wizards the spell can be used on magical writing. Your updated version in the Wizard's Spell Compendium, Volume 4 may have altered that from the original version, though.
thanks for your input,
-Lanthorn
Ah, I see they did indeed update Copy in the Wizard's Spell Compendium (Volume I), and removed Copy's ability to duplicate magical writing. That's one of the reasons I use it; that compilation has official updates to spells.
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