Wish And Contingent Spells: A D&D 3.5e Deep Dive

Hey there, fellow adventurers! Ever find yourself in a Dungeons & Dragons 3.5e campaign and think, "*Man, I wish I could just… *" Well, that's where the Wish spell swoops in, offering a taste of near-limitless power. But when it comes to the nitty-gritty of spellcasting, things can get a little complex. Specifically, can you use Wish to snag yourself a nifty contingent spell? Let's dive in and see what's what.

Understanding the Power of Wish

First off, let's refresh our memories on what Wish actually does. According to the rules, Wish lets you "Duplicate any wizard or sorcerer spell of 8th level or lower, provided the spell is not of a school prohibited to you." Straightforward enough, right? Essentially, you can cast any spell up to 8th level. This is pretty powerful, giving you access to a huge range of spells, even if they aren't normally on your spell list. That's a huge benefit to any caster who has the capacity to cast 9th level spells. You can cast a spell that you haven't prepared, like a cleric casting fireball, which is a wizard spell. And you can change the level of the spell to make it cast at a higher level, which enhances the abilities of the spell. But there's more. Wish can also do a variety of other things: grant a creature's wish, undo an undesirable occurrence, or grant a creature what they desire. The spell also has the potential to do other things that the caster wants or needs. When you cast a Wish spell, you can shape reality to suit your desires, making you the master of the universe, or at least your little corner of the game world. Just remember, though, that with great power comes potential consequences. Using Wish for anything beyond the simple duplication of spells can be risky. The spell's description notes that the more you stretch its abilities, the more likely you are to suffer negative effects, like the loss of spells or even permanent stat damage. However, the core of the spell is copying lower-level spells, so let's focus on that.

Contingent Spells: Pre-Planning for Success

Now, let's talk about Contingent Spells. These are some cool spells that let you set up a magical trigger. Essentially, you cast a spell and specify a condition. When that condition is met, the spell automatically activates. The most popular version is Contingency. Contingency is a wizard spell that casts a spell that will trigger when a certain condition is met. This could be to teleport away when you are hit, or cast a defensive spell when you are attacked. The trigger must be a relatively simple one, and it can only use a spell that is cast at the time of the Contingency casting. For example, you could set up Contingency to cast blink when you are hit with a melee attack, which is an action that can save your life. It's like having a magical safety net, ready to deploy at just the right moment. The advantage of Contingency is the fact that you can cast a spell in response to an action, without having to take an action to cast it. That means it can be used on other creatures as well, if they are allies, to save them or protect them. When it comes to using Contingency, you can only place a spell that's level 5 or lower. This is an intentional constraint to prevent it from getting out of hand. And of course, the condition must be something specific. You can't just say, "Cast this spell when things get bad." No, you've got to be clear and define the triggers. Once the condition is met, the spell you set up will instantly activate, saving you from a perilous situation.

Can Wish Grant a Contingent Spell? The Million-Dollar Question

So, can Wish get you a contingent spell, like Contingency? Well, let's break it down. Wish can replicate any spell of 8th level or lower. Contingency is a 5th-level spell. Therefore, in theory, yes - Wish can duplicate Contingency. You could, for instance, use Wish to cast Contingency with a specific trigger and spell pre-loaded. If you have access to a 9th level spell, you can cast Wish to cast Contingency. However, it's not quite that simple. This is where things get a bit tricky, and it's time to put on your thinking cap. You can certainly use Wish to copy Contingency. That's the easy part. The real question is whether you can use Wish to create the effect of a contingent spell. Can you use Wish to set up a trigger and a spell to cast automatically when that trigger is hit? The answer to this is a little murky. The core of Wish's ability is duplicating spells, not creating new magical effects. If the effect you want to create is more complex than a simple spell duplication, the DM might rule against it. Because Wish is so powerful, DMs will often place limits on it to maintain game balance. The more you stray from its core function, the more likely the DM is to say no or impose penalties. Using it to create a brand-new magical effect could be pushing the limits of the spell. So, if your DM is flexible, you might be able to convince them that you can use Wish to create Contingency. The best way to do this is to be ready to show the exact conditions, the trigger, and the spell, and ask the DM if this would be acceptable. If the DM isn't on board, there's always the option of a negotiation. Maybe you offer a small favor to the DM's favorite NPC, or you can trade an item or a benefit for the party. There are lots of ways to make it work. But be prepared for the possibility that your DM might say, "Sorry, no dice."

Practical Applications and Considerations

Okay, so let's say your DM gives you the green light. How would you actually use Wish to create a contingent spell? First, you'd need to cast Wish and specify that you're duplicating Contingency. Then, you'd define the trigger condition and the spell you want to be cast. This could be something like, "When I take damage from a critical hit, cast dimension door." The flexibility here is pretty awesome. You could set up all sorts of defensive or offensive responses. Wish and Contingency in combination gives you a lot of options. You could have Wish prepare a contingent fly if the ground starts to crumble, or a contingent greater invisibility if you get surrounded. Remember though, that you are still limited by the level of the spell cast, and it must be below 8th level, even when cast by Wish. Even with that limitation, you can still do a lot. To be sure your Wish works, always be crystal clear. Vague requests are a recipe for disaster. The more specific you are, the more likely you are to get the result you want. Consider the potential costs and consequences, too. Stretching Wish beyond its typical use can lead to some nasty side effects. Always be ready for the possibility of unintended results. But, if you do it right, you can be ready for anything.

The DM's Role and Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the final say on this matter rests with your Dungeon Master. They're the ones who interpret the rules and make the final call on what's allowed. Some DMs might be okay with you using Wish for Contingent effects, while others might not. Remember that you can always discuss it with your DM beforehand. Explain your reasoning, show them the rules, and see if you can come to an agreement. It's a team effort. The DM is there to create a fun and balanced experience. Be respectful of their rulings, and always remember that the goal is to have fun and enjoy the game. Regardless of whether you can use Wish for contingent spells, Wish remains one of the most powerful spells in the game. It can be a game-changer if used creatively and responsibly. So, go forth, experiment, and have fun bending the rules a little! Who knows, maybe you'll come up with some awesome new combinations that will surprise everyone at the table.