Aotrs Commander
2010-07-14, 08:15 AM
For some time I have been working on removing Vancian casting and tweaking the magic system to one based more on a mana-point basis (which I feel better fits my preferred magical flavour; more sort of Mercedes Lackey/Tamora Pierce/JRPG-y).
(Note that this will be working in conjuction with psionics.
Note also and I am aware of the spell points variant and how much it sucks..!)
The short, short version is that all spell-slots are converted into Mana points (at a rate of 1:1 for 4th level slots and 2:1 for higher level slots). The mana is divided into two pools, one of which may only be used for 4th or lower level spells. (There's more to it, but I this is itself not the issue, merely a causable factor I can expand on this if anyone is interested.)
(In addition, many of the most abuseable spells are being revised, removed or increased in level, plus noncasters being buffed so this change is not in isolation!)
The big issue I want to tackle is with this is dealing with clerics, druids, for whom giving the flat advantage of using their entire lists is a bit too much. For wizard and archivists, the problem is partly related to that and also to the fact they are not having spellbooks, and I'm trying to diverge money from mechanics.
I've tried several things. For clerics and druids, I looked at making them "ready" spells (like manouvers) and look anything else up in a prayerbook1. Then I looked at using an erudite-like system of only having a number of unique spells per day.
For wizards, I looked at the former and then at making them learn spells via XP cost like an erudite.
I was happy with neither result in either case. (I don't like XP costs.)
Then, as I was trudging home from my last session, a thought occurred; how about making it a bit more skill-based.
To whit:
Divine Casters
Clerics and druids can only remember so many prayers at once. They can only memorise X number of spells at once. Thses spells can be cast as normal.
(Let's say, for the sake of argument three per level plus Wisdom modifier. Feebdack on this number is requested!)
The character can replace their currently memorised spell list at any point, provided they have a suitable source (i.e. a prayerbook that contains the cleric or druid spell list.)
If a cleric or druid wishes to cast a spell not memorised, they can make a Knowlegde (Religion of Nature)2 check as approriate as a Move Action at DC 15+ three times spell level (i.e. 18-42).
If the check is failed, the caster may attempt it again on their next action.
If they suceed, they can cast the spell on their next action. They casters may hold the spell by concentrating as Move action that does not provoke an attack or opportunity, in the same manner as concentrating on an active spell; however, as mental concentration is not quite as delicate, reduce the check DCs by 5). If the caster casts a different spell, under takes another action of significant mental activity or fails to maintain concentration, they must start again.
Erudite Casters
Wizard and archivists may cast any spell they know at any time, but they can only learn up to a certain number of spells. Excluding those spell granted from class levels (i.e. six at level 1, two every level thereafter), they may only know a number of additional spells equal to their Spellcraft (and/or Knowledge (Arcana)?) score. They may spend one skill point to gain 1 additional slot (two additional slots?)
(A feat for this seems too harsh.)
The character may learn a new spell to fill their empty slots, provided they have an appropriate source (e.g. scroll) in the same manner as scribing a spell into a spell book (e.g. 24 hours and Spellcraft check). (This does not cost any money.)
Obviously, Sorcerer will need a boost (I'm thinking either +50% mana and faster recharge); the rest are okay as they are.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
1The flavour of divine magic is basically the cleric makes a prayer and supplies the requiste mana, and the god casts the actual spell (at the same subconcious level as they normally grant the in normal D&D). In effect, it goes something like "Dear Dark Lord, I beseech you to smite my enemies with holy fire in a 10' cylinder 40' high, 30' to my north and 20' to my east. Here is the mana, ta muchly, chief." Obviously, the actual prayer would be in the language of magic, but you get the idea.
2Arguable, you could use spellcraft, but the knowledge skills fit the flavour better.
(Note that this will be working in conjuction with psionics.
Note also and I am aware of the spell points variant and how much it sucks..!)
The short, short version is that all spell-slots are converted into Mana points (at a rate of 1:1 for 4th level slots and 2:1 for higher level slots). The mana is divided into two pools, one of which may only be used for 4th or lower level spells. (There's more to it, but I this is itself not the issue, merely a causable factor I can expand on this if anyone is interested.)
(In addition, many of the most abuseable spells are being revised, removed or increased in level, plus noncasters being buffed so this change is not in isolation!)
The big issue I want to tackle is with this is dealing with clerics, druids, for whom giving the flat advantage of using their entire lists is a bit too much. For wizard and archivists, the problem is partly related to that and also to the fact they are not having spellbooks, and I'm trying to diverge money from mechanics.
I've tried several things. For clerics and druids, I looked at making them "ready" spells (like manouvers) and look anything else up in a prayerbook1. Then I looked at using an erudite-like system of only having a number of unique spells per day.
For wizards, I looked at the former and then at making them learn spells via XP cost like an erudite.
I was happy with neither result in either case. (I don't like XP costs.)
Then, as I was trudging home from my last session, a thought occurred; how about making it a bit more skill-based.
To whit:
Divine Casters
Clerics and druids can only remember so many prayers at once. They can only memorise X number of spells at once. Thses spells can be cast as normal.
(Let's say, for the sake of argument three per level plus Wisdom modifier. Feebdack on this number is requested!)
The character can replace their currently memorised spell list at any point, provided they have a suitable source (i.e. a prayerbook that contains the cleric or druid spell list.)
If a cleric or druid wishes to cast a spell not memorised, they can make a Knowlegde (Religion of Nature)2 check as approriate as a Move Action at DC 15+ three times spell level (i.e. 18-42).
If the check is failed, the caster may attempt it again on their next action.
If they suceed, they can cast the spell on their next action. They casters may hold the spell by concentrating as Move action that does not provoke an attack or opportunity, in the same manner as concentrating on an active spell; however, as mental concentration is not quite as delicate, reduce the check DCs by 5). If the caster casts a different spell, under takes another action of significant mental activity or fails to maintain concentration, they must start again.
Erudite Casters
Wizard and archivists may cast any spell they know at any time, but they can only learn up to a certain number of spells. Excluding those spell granted from class levels (i.e. six at level 1, two every level thereafter), they may only know a number of additional spells equal to their Spellcraft (and/or Knowledge (Arcana)?) score. They may spend one skill point to gain 1 additional slot (two additional slots?)
(A feat for this seems too harsh.)
The character may learn a new spell to fill their empty slots, provided they have an appropriate source (e.g. scroll) in the same manner as scribing a spell into a spell book (e.g. 24 hours and Spellcraft check). (This does not cost any money.)
Obviously, Sorcerer will need a boost (I'm thinking either +50% mana and faster recharge); the rest are okay as they are.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
1The flavour of divine magic is basically the cleric makes a prayer and supplies the requiste mana, and the god casts the actual spell (at the same subconcious level as they normally grant the in normal D&D). In effect, it goes something like "Dear Dark Lord, I beseech you to smite my enemies with holy fire in a 10' cylinder 40' high, 30' to my north and 20' to my east. Here is the mana, ta muchly, chief." Obviously, the actual prayer would be in the language of magic, but you get the idea.
2Arguable, you could use spellcraft, but the knowledge skills fit the flavour better.