I've always played that failing to cast a spell the first time exhaust it and can't be attempted till it is refreshed. In the Rules it states that when a spell check fails the spell has no effect.

On most spells it says something like this: Any Phase : Cast and Exhaust to…

Which made me think… the spell is only exhausted when it is casted.

If that's the case, can I still pay the sanity cost and attempt the spell again till:

1) I quit trying

2) I can't pay the sanity cost

3) I casted the spell. ?

along the same line of thought, combat spells, would they:

1) use up another hand in combat for each attempt ie: The Wither spell could only attempted twice. If Both attemptes failed, to bad you used both hands and can't use another weapon till the next round. (i'm kind of leaning towards this.)

2) It just uses the one hand: The Wither spell would succeed automaticaly (since it's a measly +3 in combat anyway) because you can attempt it forever till you succeed.

Thanks Verpi

You have to exhaust the spell and spend the sanity cost to attempt to cast it. If you pass, it takes effect. If you fail, it does not take effect. Either way, it is exhausted and cannot be cast again until it is refreshed.

Cool Thanks Tibs. Good to know that I've done it right all these years.

er…So does that mean when it says cast and discard it's a one shot deal, succeess or fail discard the spell?

You would cast it,then you discard it. If you fail to cast you don't discard the spell.

There have been a number of threads which highlight the weaknesses associated with spells in general, with many Arkhamites lamenting the sanity cost. One variant which I have used is as follows: 1. Select Spell(s) . 2.Use hand(s) 3. Make Spell check 4. Reduce sanity, if successful

Cool Thanks Professor.