Spell level

The level of a spell is a game-mechanical number that indicates how difficult the spell is to cast. To cast a spell, generate a Casting Total and compare it to the spell's level. In this way, a spell's level describes the difficulty of a spell in the same way an Ease Factor describes the difficulty of an Ability roll.

Level and Magnitude

Characters in the game world do not use the term "level;" they would instead describe a spell's power in terms of its magnitude.

The reason for the distinct but related terms "level" and "magnitude" is partly historical. The term "magnitude" was introduced in Fourth Edition, perhaps to provide a more medieval-seeming alternative.

The magnitude of a spell is equal to its level divided by five, rounded up.