D&D 5E Rules Question: Upcasting Into Levels Unknown

[Lakesidefantasy]

Can a 6th level Sorcerer, who only has spell slots up to 3rd level, transform all of their 6 sorcery points into a 4th level spell slot, then upcast something like Magic Missile or Lightning Bolt into it?

 

[DND_Reborn]

No, you can't create spell slots of a spell level higher than you can cast.

FWIW, if a DM allowed it, it wouldn't break anything IMO.

 

[J.Quondam]

I would think not, but... so far I can't actually find any wording in the rules that forbids it.

I'd probably allow it as a DM. I can't imagine anything would break just because a sorc can get a couple extra damage dice or an extra target or something once a day. Plus, that bit of extra flexibility seems thematic to the class.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

Yes, I am also incredulous but I don't see anything against it. In fact, there is a parallel here with casting spells from scrolls that are of a higher level than could otherwise be cast by the caster.

 

[Stalker0]

When I first read this, I thought it was a slam dunk. Obviously there are spell level restrictions noted somewhere…but no they are really not!

And I have to agree with some other posters, if a sorc wants to nova in that way more power to them. The only spell I can think of that has a strong enough upcast that it miiight be too strong is bestow curse (assuming some sorc subclass gives it to them not sure), but even then I don’t think it’s game breaking

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

Ooo. Did I discover something?

Can we call it Lakesdifantasy's Conjecture, Lakesidefantasy's Secret Upcast, or maybe Lakesidefantasy's Notable Niche?

 

[J.Quondam]

or maybe Lakesidefantasy's Notable Niche?

Maybe that could be the name of an upcast (ie, the "luxury resort" version) of Leomund's Tiny Hut.

 

[Shiroiken]

That's a pretty expensive upcast, giving up your daily supply of a class feature for it. It's almost certainly not RAI, but I doubt it's going to be OP since you can't prepare/know a spell that's of a higher level that you have slots for.

 

[gnarlygninja]

Ooo. Did I discover something?

Can we call it Lakesdifantasy's Conjecture, Lakesidefantasy's Secret Upcast, or maybe Lakesidefantasy's Notable Niche?

Someone asked about it on twitter a few years ago

 

[Horwath]

Yes, you can, but why?

Maybe if you really need additional target for Fly spell or Banish, maybe.