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My understanding is that when a spell is known or prepared via one of your class features, or if you cast it via a class feature, it's considered a "class spell" (Sorcerer spell, Cleric spell, etc.) for you. If you cast it via some method outside your class (items, etc.), it isn't considered a spell from your class.

For clarity, some class features care about whether or not a spell is a 'class' spell (emphasis mine):

• Wild Magic Surge for Wild Magic Sorcerers can only trigger "[...] immediately after you cast a sorcerer spell [...]".

• Overchannel for Evocation Wizards can only be used "when you cast a wizard spell [...]"

• Empowered Evocation for Evocation Wizards can also only be used on "[...] any wizard evocation spell you cast".

• Rod of the Pact Keeper gives a bonus "[...] to the saving throw DCs of your warlock spells".

Contrast with a feature like Blessed Healer for Life Clerics that just use the language of "When you cast a spell [...]", and you'll see why I believe there's an important distinction as to whether or not a spell instance is a 'class' spell.

However, comments on this answer made me question where my understanding of what makes a spell instance a 'class' spell comes from, and I'm not sure of a concise spot that explains it. What are the rules that govern what is or is not considered a class spell when cast?

Of particular concern is whether or not a spell is, in all instances, a class spell once you've obtained it from your class. For example, if you were a Wizard that had Magic Missile both prepared and in your spellbook, would any instance of Magic Missile you cast be considered a Wizard spell, even if it was cast by way of, say, a Wand of Magic Missile?

My understanding is that when a spell is known or prepared via one of your class features, or if you cast it via a class feature, it's considered a "class spell" (sorcerer spell, cleric spell, etc.) for you. If you cast it via some method outside your class (items, etc.), it isn't considered a spell from your class.

For clarity, some class features care about whether or not a spell is a 'class' spell (emphasis mine):

• Wild Magic Surge for Wild Magic sorcerers can only trigger "[...] immediately after you cast a sorcerer spell [...]".

• Overchannel for School of Evocation wizards can only be used "when you cast a wizard spell [...]"

• Empowered Evocation for School of Evocation wizards can also only be used on "[...] any wizard evocation spell you cast".

• Rod of the pact keeper gives a bonus "[...] to the saving throw DCs of your warlock spells".

Contrast with a feature like Blessed Healer for Life Domain clerics that just use the language of "When you cast a spell [...]", and you'll see why I believe there's an important distinction as to whether or not a spell instance is a 'class' spell.

However, comments on this answer made me question where my understanding of what makes a spell instance a 'class' spell comes from, and I'm not sure of a concise spot that explains it. What are the rules that govern what is or is not considered a class spell when cast?

Of particular concern is whether or not a spell is, in all instances, a class spell once you've obtained it from your class. For example, if you were a wizard that had magic missile both prepared and in your spellbook, would any instance of magic missile you cast be considered a wizard spell, even if it was cast by way of, say, a wand of magic missile?

My understanding is that when a spell is known or prepared via one of your class features, or if you cast it via a class feature, it's considered a "class spell" (Sorcerer spell, Cleric spell, etc.) for you. If you cast it via some method outside your class (items, etc.), it isn't considered a spell from your class.

However, comments on this answer made me question where that knowledge comes from, and I'm not sure of a concise spot that explains it. What are the rules that govern what is or is not considered a class spell when cast?

Of particular concern is whether or not a spell is, in all instances, a class spell once you've obtained it from your class. For example, if you were a Wizard that had Magic Missile both prepared and in your spellbook, would any instance of Magic Missile you cast be considered a Wizard spell, even if it was cast by way of, say, a Wand of Magic Missile?

My understanding is that when a spell is known or prepared via one of your class features, or if you cast it via a class feature, it's considered a "class spell" (Sorcerer spell, Cleric spell, etc.) for you. If you cast it via some method outside your class (items, etc.), it isn't considered a spell from your class.

For clarity, some class features care about whether or not a spell is a 'class' spell (emphasis mine):

• Wild Magic Surge for Wild Magic Sorcerers can only trigger "[...] immediately after you cast a sorcerer spell [...]".

• Overchannel for Evocation Wizards can only be used "when you cast a wizard spell [...]"

• Empowered Evocation for Evocation Wizards can also only be used on "[...] any wizard evocation spell you cast".

• Rod of the Pact Keeper gives a bonus "[...] to the saving throw DCs of your warlock spells".

Contrast with a feature like Blessed Healer for Life Clerics that just use the language of "When you cast a spell [...]", and you'll see why I believe there's an important distinction as to whether or not a spell instance is a 'class' spell.

However, comments on this answer made me question where my understanding of what makes a spell instance a 'class' spell comes from, and I'm not sure of a concise spot that explains it. What are the rules that govern what is or is not considered a class spell when cast?

Of particular concern is whether or not a spell is, in all instances, a class spell once you've obtained it from your class. For example, if you were a Wizard that had Magic Missile both prepared and in your spellbook, would any instance of Magic Missile you cast be considered a Wizard spell, even if it was cast by way of, say, a Wand of Magic Missile?