Pyromancer999
2011-06-22, 11:33 AM
Background- The Vancian spellcasting system is all right, but it's only just all right. When it comes to spellcasting, my group and I have always preferred to take an approach to it like spell points and the like. However, I recently discovered the recharge variant spellcasting in Unearthed Arcana. At first, I was excited: My players wouldn't have to wait a whole day to get their spells back!...But I was quickly disappointed. They got their spells back pretty quickly, which made almost no sense, as they would get their highest level spells back in less than minute. Unless they were one of the crazy spells that had a recharge time with almost no discernible formula for doing so. And even if someone made use of these spells, what about all of the other spells out there? Additionally, if a spell is of your highest level, it should take a good bit of time to recover enough to cast it again. So, I decided to make my own recharge variant.
Spellcasting Variant: Recharge Slots
Here's how this works: Take a spellcasting class. Remove all of the Vancian spellcasting slots, and solely take into account how many spells known they have. Divide the spells known for a given level of spells by two. You have that many recharge slots for that level of spells. The maximum number of recharge slots per level is equal to your casting ability modifier.
How They Work
On the surface, recharge slots are like Vancian spell slots: Take a spell of that level, and cast it. Once cast, one recharge slot of that level is used. Recharge slots, after a while, open up again, due to them, well, recharging. Recharge slots open up again after a certain amount of time, in accordance to what level they are.
{table]If the recharge slot is of ....| Time to recharge per slot level
Highest level you can cast| 2 hours
Second Highest| 1 hour
Third Highest| 30 minutes
Fourth Highest| 20 minutes
Fifth Highest| 10 minutes
Sixth Highest| 2 minutes
Seventh Highest| 1 Minute
Eighth Highest| 2 rounds
Ninth Highest| 1 round
[/table]
The only level that does not have recharge slots is level 0, which is capable of being cast at-will. Recharge slots are all completely refilled after 8 hours of rest.
Prepared vs. Spontaneous Casters
Spontaneous casters may simply choose whatever spell they know and cast it, provided they have a recharge slot available. Prepared spellcasters must, at the beginning of each day memorize spells, taking the normal amount of time. During this time, they select a number of spells equal to the number of recharge slots they have. These are the spells they cast throughout the day of that level, although they may cast a certain spell they have prepared as many times as they like, so long as a recharge slot is available.
What happened to my firepower?
Many classes had more or less spell slots to denote their relative power to others as such, here are a few solutions for the respective levels of power:
If, at the highest level of the class, the spell level had 1 or 2 spell slots:
-Treat spells as though they were one level higher than they are, up to the maximum
-Subtract one recharge slot
If, at the highest level of the class, the spell level had 3 or 4 spell slots:
-Do nothing
If, at the highest level of the class, the spell level had 5 or 6 spell slots:
-Treat spells as though they were one level lower than they are, up to the minimum
-Add one recharge slot
Recharge Slots and SLAs
This is pretty simple. If you have an SLA, you gain a recharge slot for it per two uses per day(minimum 1 recharge slot) that recharges based on its spell level as compared to a Sorcerer of your HD.
That's pretty much it. Please PEACH/comment, as I know there's probably a problem or two somewhere.
Spellcasting Variant: Recharge Slots
Here's how this works: Take a spellcasting class. Remove all of the Vancian spellcasting slots, and solely take into account how many spells known they have. Divide the spells known for a given level of spells by two. You have that many recharge slots for that level of spells. The maximum number of recharge slots per level is equal to your casting ability modifier.
How They Work
On the surface, recharge slots are like Vancian spell slots: Take a spell of that level, and cast it. Once cast, one recharge slot of that level is used. Recharge slots, after a while, open up again, due to them, well, recharging. Recharge slots open up again after a certain amount of time, in accordance to what level they are.
{table]If the recharge slot is of ....| Time to recharge per slot level
Highest level you can cast| 2 hours
Second Highest| 1 hour
Third Highest| 30 minutes
Fourth Highest| 20 minutes
Fifth Highest| 10 minutes
Sixth Highest| 2 minutes
Seventh Highest| 1 Minute
Eighth Highest| 2 rounds
Ninth Highest| 1 round
[/table]
The only level that does not have recharge slots is level 0, which is capable of being cast at-will. Recharge slots are all completely refilled after 8 hours of rest.
Prepared vs. Spontaneous Casters
Spontaneous casters may simply choose whatever spell they know and cast it, provided they have a recharge slot available. Prepared spellcasters must, at the beginning of each day memorize spells, taking the normal amount of time. During this time, they select a number of spells equal to the number of recharge slots they have. These are the spells they cast throughout the day of that level, although they may cast a certain spell they have prepared as many times as they like, so long as a recharge slot is available.
What happened to my firepower?
Many classes had more or less spell slots to denote their relative power to others as such, here are a few solutions for the respective levels of power:
If, at the highest level of the class, the spell level had 1 or 2 spell slots:
-Treat spells as though they were one level higher than they are, up to the maximum
-Subtract one recharge slot
If, at the highest level of the class, the spell level had 3 or 4 spell slots:
-Do nothing
If, at the highest level of the class, the spell level had 5 or 6 spell slots:
-Treat spells as though they were one level lower than they are, up to the minimum
-Add one recharge slot
Recharge Slots and SLAs
This is pretty simple. If you have an SLA, you gain a recharge slot for it per two uses per day(minimum 1 recharge slot) that recharges based on its spell level as compared to a Sorcerer of your HD.
That's pretty much it. Please PEACH/comment, as I know there's probably a problem or two somewhere.