To successfully cast a spell, the caster needs five components:

• Mana
• Action Points (AP)
• Words. The caster must not be gagged or otherwise prevented from speaking.
• Finger movements. The fingers on at least one hand must not be restrained. However, they may hold a weapon or a shield.
• Vision to your target (can be influenced by cover)

Some spells take effect immediately, while others have a delay, and some have a continuous effect. Effects of continuous spells are always applied at the end of the caster's or affected person's round. There may be Mana costs for maintaining the spell, which must be paid by the caster at the end of their round; otherwise, the spell dissipates. 

To hit with spells with a target area you have to see the centre square. These also do not go around corners, so they would not hit enemies standing in full cover to the centre square of the target area.

The following rules apply to all spells:

• A target can not be afflicted by the same effect multiple times, the duration is just renewed.
• If your target is in half cover your damage to them is halved, unless its a reoccurring effect like burn damage.
• Having the highground increases the range of your spells by +2 sq and can ignore cover.