Spellcast rolls are a type of action roll that’s used when you’re creating significant magical effects (often via a Domain Card). These are called for like this: “Spellcast Roll” or “Spellcast Roll (14)”. Instead of referring to a specific stat on the character sheet, these rolls use the Spellcast stat of your class (which you can find on the Subclass Foundation card).

As with Trait Rolls, if there is a number in parentheses, that is the difficulty they must pass in order for it to succeed.

If a spellcast roll is intended to damage a target, it’s also considered an attack roll.

You generally need to be using a specific spell to make a spellcast roll—you can’t just make up magic effects (like forming a bridge out of vines) that aren’t on your character sheet or cards. However, at the GM’s discretion, they might allow you to creatively apply an existing spell in an unusual way. And you can always flavor your magic to match the kind of character you’re playing, but that flavor shouldn’t give you access to effects you wouldn’t normally be able to perform with your spells.

Example 1: If a Sorcerer is trying to reach a cliff high above him and doesn’t have a spell or ability that lets him get there, he wouldn’t be able to just make a generic Spellcast roll to have magic lift him up into the air and fly him to the cliff. He would need a specific spell or ability that would provide him that kind of magic.

Example 2: If a Wizard wants their Rune Circle spell they just picked up at Level 3 to erupt from their wand in sparks, form into a galloping, flaming stallion that circles them– and this is the reason why the Rune Circle gives them protection from enemies, that’s awesome and should be highly encouraged. But if they wanted it to do extra damage to an enemy because of this narration, that wouldn’t normally be permitted.

Any time you cast a spell, the text tells you when the effect expires. It might be temporary (in which case the GM can spend their move to end the spell), at the next short or long rest, etc. If the spell doesn’t note an expiration, it stays up until you choose to end it. If you ever want to end a spell earlier than when it would normally expire, you can always choose to do so.

If you ever want to make a Spellcast roll, but you don’t have a Foundation that gives you the needed Spellcast ability, you won’t be able to make the roll.