diff --git a/src/chaos.c b/src/chaos.c
index 58cd7af73..5628b68f4 100644
--- a/src/chaos.c
+++ b/src/chaos.c
@@ -112,9 +112,7 @@ static unit *random_unit(const region * r)
     unit *u;
 
     for (u = r->units; u; u = u->next) {
-        if (u_race(u) != get_race(RC_SPELL)) {
-            c += u->number;
-        }
+        c += u->number;
     }
 
     if (c == 0) {
@@ -125,9 +123,7 @@ static unit *random_unit(const region * r)
     u = r->units;
 
     while (u && c < n) {
-        if (u_race(u) != get_race(RC_SPELL)) {
-            c += u->number;
-        }
+        c += u->number;
         u = u->next;
     }
 
@@ -203,7 +199,7 @@ static void chaos(region * r)
 
                         for (up = &r->units; *up;) {
                             unit *u = *up;
-                            if (u_race(u) != get_race(RC_SPELL) && u->ship == 0 && !canfly(u)) {
+                            if (u->ship == 0 && !canfly(u)) {
                                 ADDMSG(&u->faction->msgs, msg_message("tidalwave_kill",
                                     "region unit", r, u));
                                 remove_unit(up, u);
diff --git a/src/economy.c b/src/economy.c
index 0bc056b56..3e13f0643 100644
--- a/src/economy.c
+++ b/src/economy.c
@@ -2978,13 +2978,12 @@ void produce(struct region *r)
     static int bt_cache;
     static const struct building_type *caravan_bt;
     static int rc_cache;
-    static const race *rc_spell, *rc_insect, *rc_aquarian;
+    static const race *rc_insect, *rc_aquarian;
     
     if (bt_changed(&bt_cache)) {
         caravan_bt = bt_find("caravan");
     }
     if (rc_changed(&rc_cache)) {
-        rc_spell = get_race(RC_SPELL);
         rc_insect = get_race(RC_INSECT);
         rc_aquarian = get_race(RC_AQUARIAN);
     }
@@ -3022,7 +3021,7 @@ void produce(struct region *r)
         bool trader = false;
         keyword_t todo;
 
-        if (u_race(u) == rc_spell || fval(u, UFL_LONGACTION))
+        if (fval(u, UFL_LONGACTION))
             continue;
 
         if (u_race(u) == rc_insect && r_insectstalled(r) &&
diff --git a/src/give.c b/src/give.c
index 060ecbbb9..26b193d0d 100644
--- a/src/give.c
+++ b/src/give.c
@@ -667,12 +667,7 @@ void give_cmd(unit * u, order * ord)
         return;
     }
 
-    if (u2 && u_race(u2) == get_race(RC_SPELL)) {
-        ADDMSG(&u->faction->msgs, msg_feedback(u, ord,
-            "feedback_unit_not_found", ""));
-        return;
-    }
-    else if (u2 && !alliedunit(u2, u->faction, HELP_GIVE) && !ucontact(u2, u)) {
+    if (u2 && !alliedunit(u2, u->faction, HELP_GIVE) && !ucontact(u2, u)) {
         cmistake(u, ord, 40, MSG_COMMERCE);
         return;
     }
diff --git a/src/kernel/race.c b/src/kernel/race.c
index a2c37d87d..14fb66331 100644
--- a/src/kernel/race.c
+++ b/src/kernel/race.c
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ const char *racenames[MAXRACES] = {
     "dwarf", "elf", NULL, "goblin", "human", "troll", "demon", "insect",
     "halfling", "cat", "aquarian", "orc", "snotling", "undead", NULL,
     "youngdragon", "dragon", "wyrm", "ent", "catdragon", "dracoid",
-    NULL, "spell", "irongolem", "stonegolem", "shadowdemon",
+    NULL, NULL, "irongolem", "stonegolem", "shadowdemon",
     "shadowmaster", "mountainguard", "alp", "toad", "braineater", "peasant",
     "wolf", NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, "songdragon", NULL,
     NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL,
diff --git a/src/kernel/race.h b/src/kernel/race.h
index 5c320ea05..a8933dae8 100644
--- a/src/kernel/race.h
+++ b/src/kernel/race.h
@@ -72,8 +72,7 @@ extern "C" {
         RC_BIRTHDAYDRAGON,
         RC_DRACOID,
 
-        RC_SPELL = 22,
-        RC_IRONGOLEM,
+        RC_IRONGOLEM = 23,
         RC_STONEGOLEM,
         RC_SHADOW,
         RC_SHADOWLORD,
diff --git a/src/kernel/save.c b/src/kernel/save.c
index 983190e7d..7a9e12286 100644
--- a/src/kernel/save.c
+++ b/src/kernel/save.c
@@ -132,8 +132,6 @@ static unit *unitorders(FILE * F, int enc, struct faction *f)
     i = getid();
     u = findunitg(i, NULL);
 
-    if (u && u_race(u) == get_race(RC_SPELL))
-        return NULL;
     if (u && u->faction == f) {
         order **ordp;
 
@@ -852,7 +850,7 @@ void write_unit(struct gamedata *data, const unit * u)
     WRITE_SECTION(data->store);
     write_items(data->store, u->items);
     WRITE_SECTION(data->store);
-    if (u->hp == 0 && u_race(u)!= get_race(RC_SPELL)) {
+    if (u->hp == 0 && data->version < NORCSPELL_VERSION) {
         log_error("unit %s has 0 hitpoints, adjusting.", itoa36(u->no));
         ((unit *)u)->hp = u->number;
     }
@@ -1707,7 +1705,7 @@ int read_game(gamedata *data) {
         while (--p >= 0) {
             unit *u = read_unit(data);
 
-            if (u_race(u) == rc_spell) {
+            if (data->version < NORCSPELL_VERSION && u_race(u) == rc_spell) {
                 set_observer(r, u->faction, get_level(u, SK_PERCEPTION), u->age);
                 free_unit(u);
             }
diff --git a/src/kernel/unit.c b/src/kernel/unit.c
index ab5f72f35..4a9540ba9 100644
--- a/src/kernel/unit.c
+++ b/src/kernel/unit.c
@@ -1891,8 +1891,7 @@ void remove_empty_units_in_region(region * r)
                 set_number(u, 0);
             }
         }
-        if ((u->number == 0 && u_race(u) != get_race(RC_SPELL)) || (u->age <= 0
-            && u_race(u) == get_race(RC_SPELL))) {
+        if (u->number == 0) {
             remove_unit(up, u);
         }
         if (*up == u)
diff --git a/src/kernel/unit.test.c b/src/kernel/unit.test.c
index 096da9d62..54b07b63f 100644
--- a/src/kernel/unit.test.c
+++ b/src/kernel/unit.test.c
@@ -97,26 +97,6 @@ static void test_remove_units_with_dead_faction(CuTest *tc) {
     test_cleanup();
 }
 
-static void test_remove_units_ignores_spells(CuTest *tc) {
-    unit *u;
-    int uid;
-
-    test_cleanup();
-    test_create_world();
-
-    u = create_unit(findregion(0, 0), test_create_faction(test_create_race("human")), 1, test_create_race("spell"), 0, 0, 0);
-    uid = u->no;
-    u->number = 0;
-    u->age = 1;
-    remove_empty_units_in_region(u->region);
-    CuAssertPtrNotNull(tc, findunit(uid));
-    CuAssertPtrNotNull(tc, u->region);
-    u->age = 0;
-    remove_empty_units_in_region(u->region);
-    CuAssertPtrEquals(tc, 0, findunit(uid));
-    test_cleanup();
-}
-
 static void test_scale_number(CuTest *tc) {
     unit *u;
     const struct potion_type *ptype;
@@ -555,7 +535,6 @@ CuSuite *get_unit_suite(void)
     SUITE_ADD_TEST(suite, test_update_monster_name);
     SUITE_ADD_TEST(suite, test_remove_unit);
     SUITE_ADD_TEST(suite, test_remove_empty_units);
-    SUITE_ADD_TEST(suite, test_remove_units_ignores_spells);
     SUITE_ADD_TEST(suite, test_remove_units_without_faction);
     SUITE_ADD_TEST(suite, test_remove_units_with_dead_faction);
     SUITE_ADD_TEST(suite, test_remove_empty_units_in_region);
diff --git a/src/laws.c b/src/laws.c
index e16cbd583..01da6f4ee 100644
--- a/src/laws.c
+++ b/src/laws.c
@@ -154,22 +154,11 @@ static bool RemoveNMRNewbie(void)
 static void age_unit(region * r, unit * u)
 {
     static int rc_cache;
-    static const race *rc_spell;
+    const race *rc = u_race(u);
 
-    if (rc_changed(&rc_cache)) {
-        rc_spell = get_race(RC_SPELL);
-    }
-    if (u_race(u) == rc_spell) {
-        if (--u->age <= 0) {
-            remove_unit(&r->units, u);
-        }
-    }
-    else {
-        const race *rc = u_race(u);
-        ++u->age;
-        if (u->number > 0 && rc->age_unit) {
-            rc->age_unit(u);
-        }
+    ++u->age;
+    if (u->number > 0 && rc->age_unit) {
+        rc->age_unit(u);
     }
     if (u->region && is_astral(u->region)) {
         item **itemp = &u->items;
@@ -2676,8 +2665,7 @@ int guard_on_cmd(unit * u, struct order *ord)
     if (fval(u, UFL_MOVED)) {
         cmistake(u, ord, 187, MSG_EVENT);
     }
-    else if (fval(u_race(u), RCF_ILLUSIONARY)
-        || u_race(u) == get_race(RC_SPELL)) {
+    else if (fval(u_race(u), RCF_ILLUSIONARY)) {
         cmistake(u, ord, 95, MSG_EVENT);
     }
     else {
diff --git a/src/magic.c b/src/magic.c
index a20fbc477..1af357a7c 100644
--- a/src/magic.c
+++ b/src/magic.c
@@ -1209,9 +1209,6 @@ target_resists_magic(unit * magician, void *obj, int objtyp, int t_bonus)
         skill *sv;
         unit *u = (unit *)obj;
 
-        if (u_race(u)==get_race(RC_SPELL)) {
-            return true;
-        }
         at = effskill(magician, SK_MAGIC, 0);
 
         for (sv = u->skills; sv != u->skills + u->skill_size; ++sv) {
@@ -2780,7 +2777,6 @@ void magic(void)
     int rank;
     castorder *co;
     spellrank spellranks[MAX_SPELLRANK];
-    const race *rc_spell = get_race(RC_SPELL);
     const race *rc_insect = get_race(RC_INSECT);
 
     memset(spellranks, 0, sizeof(spellranks));
@@ -2790,7 +2786,7 @@ void magic(void)
         for (u = r->units; u; u = u->next) {
             order *ord;
 
-            if (u->number <= 0 || u_race(u) == rc_spell)
+            if (u->number <= 0)
                 continue;
 
             if (u_race(u) == rc_insect && r_insectstalled(r) &&
diff --git a/src/randenc.c b/src/randenc.c
index ab51d64b1..e46d5fa24 100644
--- a/src/randenc.c
+++ b/src/randenc.c
@@ -418,7 +418,7 @@ void drown(region * r)
         while (*up) {
             unit *u = *up;
 
-            if (!(u->ship || u_race(u) == get_race(RC_SPELL) || u->number == 0 || canswim(u) || canfly(u))) {
+            if (!(u->ship || u->number == 0 || canswim(u) || canfly(u))) {
                 scale_number(u, 0);
                 ADDMSG(&u->faction->msgs, msg_message("drown", "unit region", u, r));
             }
diff --git a/src/spells.c b/src/spells.c
index 36a7656c6..fc8c445b7 100644
--- a/src/spells.c
+++ b/src/spells.c
@@ -1694,7 +1694,7 @@ static int sp_great_drought(castorder * co)
                 rsetterrain(r, T_OCEAN);
                 /* Einheiten duerfen hier auf keinen Fall geloescht werden! */
                 for (u = r->units; u; u = u->next) {
-                    if (u_race(u) != get_race(RC_SPELL) && u->ship == 0) {
+                    if (!u->ship) {
                         set_number(u, 0);
                     }
                 }
@@ -5601,8 +5601,7 @@ int sp_showastral(castorder * co)
         region *r2 = rl2->data;
         if (!is_cursed(r2->attribs, C_ASTRALBLOCK, 0)) {
             for (u = r2->units; u; u = u->next) {
-                if (u_race(u) != get_race(RC_SPELL))
-                    n++;
+                n++;
             }
         }
     }
@@ -5622,26 +5621,24 @@ int sp_showastral(castorder * co)
         for (rl2 = rl; rl2; rl2 = rl2->next) {
             if (!is_cursed(rl2->data->attribs, C_ASTRALBLOCK, 0)) {
                 for (u = rl2->data->units; u; u = u->next) {
-                    if (u_race(u) != get_race(RC_SPELL)) {
-                        c++;
-                        scat(unitname(u));
-                        scat(" (");
-                        if (!fval(u, UFL_ANON_FACTION)) {
-                            scat(factionname(u->faction));
-                            scat(", ");
-                        }
-                        icat(u->number);
-                        scat(" ");
-                        scat(LOC(mage->faction->locale, rc_name_s(u_race(u), (u->number == 1) ? NAME_SINGULAR : NAME_PLURAL)));
-                        scat(", Entfernung ");
-                        icat(distance(rl2->data, rt));
-                        scat(")");
-                        if (c == n - 1) {
-                            scat(" und ");
-                        }
-                        else if (c < n - 1) {
-                            scat(", ");
-                        }
+                    c++;
+                    scat(unitname(u));
+                    scat(" (");
+                    if (!fval(u, UFL_ANON_FACTION)) {
+                        scat(factionname(u->faction));
+                        scat(", ");
+                    }
+                    icat(u->number);
+                    scat(" ");
+                    scat(LOC(mage->faction->locale, rc_name_s(u_race(u), (u->number == 1) ? NAME_SINGULAR : NAME_PLURAL)));
+                    scat(", Entfernung ");
+                    icat(distance(rl2->data, rt));
+                    scat(")");
+                    if (c == n - 1) {
+                        scat(" und ");
+                    }
+                    else if (c < n - 1) {
+                        scat(", ");
                     }
                 }
             }
@@ -5758,24 +5755,22 @@ int sp_disruptastral(castorder * co)
 
         if (trl != NULL) {
             for (u = r2->units; u; u = u->next) {
-                if (u_race(u) != get_race(RC_SPELL)) {
-                    region_list *trl2 = trl;
-                    region *tr;
-                    int c = rng_int() % inhab_regions;
+                region_list *trl2 = trl;
+                region *tr;
+                int c = rng_int() % inhab_regions;
 
-                    /* Zufaellige Zielregion suchen */
-                    while (c-- != 0)
-                        trl2 = trl2->next;
-                    tr = trl2->data;
+                /* Zufaellige Zielregion suchen */
+                while (c-- != 0)
+                    trl2 = trl2->next;
+                tr = trl2->data;
 
-                    if (!is_magic_resistant(mage, u, 0) && can_survive(u, tr)) {
-                        message *msg = msg_message("disrupt_astral", "unit region", u, tr);
-                        add_message(&u->faction->msgs, msg);
-                        add_message(&tr->msgs, msg);
-                        msg_release(msg);
+                if (!is_magic_resistant(mage, u, 0) && can_survive(u, tr)) {
+                    message *msg = msg_message("disrupt_astral", "unit region", u, tr);
+                    add_message(&u->faction->msgs, msg);
+                    add_message(&tr->msgs, msg);
+                    msg_release(msg);
 
-                        move_unit(u, tr, NULL);
-                    }
+                    move_unit(u, tr, NULL);
                 }
             }
             free_regionlist(trl);
diff --git a/src/util/gamedata.h b/src/util/gamedata.h
index 452a6e527..f4983a981 100644
--- a/src/util/gamedata.h
+++ b/src/util/gamedata.h
@@ -34,10 +34,11 @@
 #define NOWATCH_VERSION 354 /* plane->watchers is gone */
 #define KEYVAL_VERSION 355 /* at_keys has values */
 #define NOLANDITEM_VERSION 356 /* land_region has no items */
+#define NORCSPELL_VERSION 357 /* data contains no RC_SPELL units */
 /* unfinished: */
 #define CRYPT_VERSION 400 /* passwords are encrypted */
 
-#define RELEASE_VERSION NOLANDITEM_VERSION /* current datafile */
+#define RELEASE_VERSION NORCSPELL_VERSION /* current datafile */
 #define MIN_VERSION INTPAK_VERSION      /* minimal datafile we support */
 #define MAX_VERSION RELEASE_VERSION /* change this if we can need to read the future datafile, and we can do so */
 
diff --git a/src/volcano.c b/src/volcano.c
index 9734bb2cd..db7166de0 100644
--- a/src/volcano.c
+++ b/src/volcano.c
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ damage_unit(unit * u, const char *dam, bool physical, bool magic)
     int i, dead = 0, hp_rem = 0, heiltrank;
 
     assert(u->number);
-    if (fval(u_race(u), RCF_ILLUSIONARY) || u_race(u) == get_race(RC_SPELL)) {
+    if (fval(u_race(u), RCF_ILLUSIONARY)) {
         return 0;
     }