Jane_Smith
2009-04-11, 06:28 AM
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/359/blueenergy.jpg
Ive been thinking of a Mana system for spellcasters, similar to psionic power points or spell points from unearthed arcana, and another thread was talking about it recently, so it intruged me to toss out this idea ive been juggling for a good while.
In midnight, all spellcasting classes were merged into a single class - the Channeler, which could use arcane, divine, druidic, whatever, all from 1 spell list as arcane spells. However, they had the most limited spells they could cast per day in the world, considering it was a low-magic system after all.
Their system was simple: You get 1 Spell Point X Channeler Level + Int, Wis, or Cha (whichever you pick) bonus. So a 20th level Channel with 22 Intelligence would have 26 Spell Points.
Spell points were simple - they didnt regenerate except from 8 hours of rest, and spells cost a number of spell points equal to their spell level. Adding metamagic feats increased the spell level by a number of points as to what core metamagic feats would by levels - a Maximized Fireball would cost 6 SP.
Problem with this system was the incredible lack of power. At the most, by 20th level you could get a handful of mid-level spells off, alot of low-level spells, or 2-4 high level spells per day, and you were out. They balanced this by giving the channel average base attack, d8 hit dice, 4 + int skill points - bt that does not matter.
My idea -
I was thinking of a similar system along these lines; spellcasters get X amount of SP each level based on their class, plus a set bonus amount equal to their spellcasting ability modifier. Spells cost their spell level in SP, and metamagic can be applied as a increase to SP (but not beyond a number of SP above the limit you can normally cast).
Example SP each level;
Wizard: 3 SP
Sorcerer: 5 SP
Cleric: 3 SP
Druid: 3 SP
Paladin: 1 SP (at 4th+)
Bard: 2 SP
Ranger: 1 SP (at 4th+)
Im thinking as a rule of the thumb you can cast a number of cantrips each day at a base cost of 0 SP (can be modified to cost SP if metamagic is applied) equal to your spellcasting ability modifer - afterwords they cost 1 point each.
So a 4th level Wizard with 19 Intelligence would have about 16 SP. Enough to cast 8 level 2 spells, or 16 level 1 spells, or 20 cantrips, or some mix thereof.
A level 20 sorcerer with 30 charisma would have about 110 SP, enough to cast 12 9th level spells, 13 8th level spells, 15 7th level spells, OR 18 6th level spells, etc. But this is if they focus on purely a single level of spell; for example they could also cast a single 9th level spell and toss around ten 3rd level spells, and 10 cantrips for only 39 SP (not including metamagic).
Now, the best part about this is a caster can 'dim their flame' and last longer, casting spells a few levels under their highest spell level they can cast to preserve their energy for long durations of battles, etc. Or, during emergencies.. they can KABLAMO! And just go 9th level spell spam on an enemys ass, but burn out after a few rounds and cant even cast mid/low-level spells once their energy is out. This gives casters much needed staying power in a fight - if they can learn to balance their 'budget' and keep some self restraint. Just because you hit level 5 and got that new fireball spell means your ready to toss it around like fire crackers! (5th level wizard, 19 int = 19 SP, enough for 6 fireballs, but after that your done for an entire day, no second level or 1st level spells!)
Feats like "Extra Spell Slot, etc" could just be redone in a Toughness like theme - Mana Capacity, requires spellcasting level 1st+, gives +3 Mana to the character, can be taken multiple times. Or something even that lets you regenerate it - Fast Regeneration, you can recover a number of mana/sp equal to your ability modifier each hour, or 1-2 mana every 10 minutes, etc.
Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?
Edit -;
As for different spell pools, etc, id consider giving them different names/types, Wizards/Sorcerers use Mana, Clerics/Druids can use Spirit Energy, etc. A cleric's spell list and druid's spell list could both be used with the same type of energy due to the singularities of the source of power (faith/worship based), same with wiz/sorc with raw arcane energy, but your spell 'pools' would be separate if you went into Wizard and Druid for example.
Ive been thinking of a Mana system for spellcasters, similar to psionic power points or spell points from unearthed arcana, and another thread was talking about it recently, so it intruged me to toss out this idea ive been juggling for a good while.
In midnight, all spellcasting classes were merged into a single class - the Channeler, which could use arcane, divine, druidic, whatever, all from 1 spell list as arcane spells. However, they had the most limited spells they could cast per day in the world, considering it was a low-magic system after all.
Their system was simple: You get 1 Spell Point X Channeler Level + Int, Wis, or Cha (whichever you pick) bonus. So a 20th level Channel with 22 Intelligence would have 26 Spell Points.
Spell points were simple - they didnt regenerate except from 8 hours of rest, and spells cost a number of spell points equal to their spell level. Adding metamagic feats increased the spell level by a number of points as to what core metamagic feats would by levels - a Maximized Fireball would cost 6 SP.
Problem with this system was the incredible lack of power. At the most, by 20th level you could get a handful of mid-level spells off, alot of low-level spells, or 2-4 high level spells per day, and you were out. They balanced this by giving the channel average base attack, d8 hit dice, 4 + int skill points - bt that does not matter.
My idea -
I was thinking of a similar system along these lines; spellcasters get X amount of SP each level based on their class, plus a set bonus amount equal to their spellcasting ability modifier. Spells cost their spell level in SP, and metamagic can be applied as a increase to SP (but not beyond a number of SP above the limit you can normally cast).
Example SP each level;
Wizard: 3 SP
Sorcerer: 5 SP
Cleric: 3 SP
Druid: 3 SP
Paladin: 1 SP (at 4th+)
Bard: 2 SP
Ranger: 1 SP (at 4th+)
Im thinking as a rule of the thumb you can cast a number of cantrips each day at a base cost of 0 SP (can be modified to cost SP if metamagic is applied) equal to your spellcasting ability modifer - afterwords they cost 1 point each.
So a 4th level Wizard with 19 Intelligence would have about 16 SP. Enough to cast 8 level 2 spells, or 16 level 1 spells, or 20 cantrips, or some mix thereof.
A level 20 sorcerer with 30 charisma would have about 110 SP, enough to cast 12 9th level spells, 13 8th level spells, 15 7th level spells, OR 18 6th level spells, etc. But this is if they focus on purely a single level of spell; for example they could also cast a single 9th level spell and toss around ten 3rd level spells, and 10 cantrips for only 39 SP (not including metamagic).
Now, the best part about this is a caster can 'dim their flame' and last longer, casting spells a few levels under their highest spell level they can cast to preserve their energy for long durations of battles, etc. Or, during emergencies.. they can KABLAMO! And just go 9th level spell spam on an enemys ass, but burn out after a few rounds and cant even cast mid/low-level spells once their energy is out. This gives casters much needed staying power in a fight - if they can learn to balance their 'budget' and keep some self restraint. Just because you hit level 5 and got that new fireball spell means your ready to toss it around like fire crackers! (5th level wizard, 19 int = 19 SP, enough for 6 fireballs, but after that your done for an entire day, no second level or 1st level spells!)
Feats like "Extra Spell Slot, etc" could just be redone in a Toughness like theme - Mana Capacity, requires spellcasting level 1st+, gives +3 Mana to the character, can be taken multiple times. Or something even that lets you regenerate it - Fast Regeneration, you can recover a number of mana/sp equal to your ability modifier each hour, or 1-2 mana every 10 minutes, etc.
Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?
Edit -;
As for different spell pools, etc, id consider giving them different names/types, Wizards/Sorcerers use Mana, Clerics/Druids can use Spirit Energy, etc. A cleric's spell list and druid's spell list could both be used with the same type of energy due to the singularities of the source of power (faith/worship based), same with wiz/sorc with raw arcane energy, but your spell 'pools' would be separate if you went into Wizard and Druid for example.