Can someone learn to cast a spell

Question

I'm playing a Light domain Level 3 Cleric in D&D 5e. Some of my spells are very important to the party. I can't cast the spells many times. I want to teach some of my companions to cast the 1st level spell Inflict Wounds. One of my friends who I plan to teach has +3 inteligence modifier and other one has +3 wisdom modifier and both of them are level 3 fighters.

Can I teach the spell? If I can, how long will it take?
Will it have lesser damage, and will the learner have lesser spell slots for that spell?

Have you spoken with your DM? Are any of your companions Multi Classed? Do any of them have feats related to spell casting? Are you aware of the distinction between Divine Casters and Arcane Casters? — KorvinStarmast, Mar 09 '17 at 19:38
What is the class of the characters that your cleric is hoping to teach the spell to? Are they a spell casting class? — KorvinStarmast, Mar 09 '17 at 19:49
Keep in mind that Inflict Wounds is likely to be much less effective for a fighter in most circumstances than whacking someone with a sword. — chrylis -cautiouslyoptimistic-, Mar 09 '17 at 22:47
I stated that they are 3rd level fighters, not multiclassed, and have no feat related to spellcasting. — Spellcaster, Aug 20 '17 at 11:08

score 32 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 16 '20 at 10:23

32

Yes, with a feat

The feat "Magic Initiate" can allow an ally to learn a 1st level spell and two cantrips from a given class. Your situation sounds like an unusually opportune moment to roleplay around the gaining of the feat, which your party members should have access to at fourth level, in place of their Ability Score Increase, if your DM has allowed feats.

edited Jun 16 '20 at 10:23

Community

1

answered Mar 09 '17 at 19:41

inthemanual

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Don't forget the other part of the answer. NO, not without a feat. non-spellcaster cannot just learn to cast spells without either a feat or multiclassing to a class with spellcasting abilities. – JPicasso Mar 09 '17 at 23:18

score 6 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:45

If your DM allows Unearthed Arcana, there is a ritual the Cleric can cast called Ceremony, choosing the Investiture option, you can allow a willing humanoid to cast a 1st-level spell that you pay the slot for:

Ceremony

You perform one of several religious ceremonies. When you cast the spell, choose one of the following ceremonies, the target of which must be within 10 feet of you throughout the casting. ...
Investiture. You touch one willing humanoid. Choose one 1st-level spell you have prepared and expend a spell-slot and any material components as if you were casting that spell. The spell has no effect. Instead, the target can cast this spell once without having to expend a spell slot or use material components. If the target doesn't cast the spell within 1 hour, the invested slot is lost.

Of course, this is only a temporary solution, used for contingencies for when you foresee yourself getting knocked unconscious within the next hour. For a more permanent solution, have your friend pick up a feat or multi-class into Cleric, if he can.

Can someone learn to cast a spell

2 Answers2

Yes, with a feat

Ceremony