Preparing and casting spells

[Booker Grimm]

My 5e player had a question that I'm not able to answer.

With an int 18 and being a level 4 Wizard, he gets 4 first level slots and 3 Second level slots.
Is it correct that he can prepare 8 spells in any order? Int Modifier + Wizard Level = 8

So in game even though he only has 7 slots, he can cast eight spells per day, including any cantrips at will?

Can someone please clarify, because I'm a little confused?

Cheers.

[Griogre]

Yes that is correct. You player's PC can prepare more spells than he has spell slots. This gives the PC flexibility to carry different types of spells even though most spells at that level that are actually cast are probably going to be combat spells. IE he can prepare "Knock" or "See Invisibility" that are extremely useful in the right circumstances but most of the time might not be cast.

Edit: Questions like this are better asked on the 5E boards - you are likely to get faster and better info.

[Zacchaeus]

Preparing spells and casting them are two different things. Your Wizard can prepare as many spells as their level and intelligence modifier allows. However they can only cast those spells using the number of slots they have. Furthermore when they cast a spell it isn't removed from their spell list, so they can cast it again. So there is nothing to stop your wizard casting the same spell 7 times (in your example); casting it four times at 1st level (and assuming the spell can be cast at higher levels) casting it three times at 2nd level.

[Booker Grimm]

So, he can prepare 8 spells, but only cast 7. Then he needs to rest to get his spell slots back?

[Zacchaeus]

Yes.