Kane0
2012-09-01, 04:33 AM
Hello Playgrounders!
In that system rework I am in the progress of, have considered alternatives to Vancian spellcasting. I was vetoed in favor of a Vancian 'fix' in the long run, but was allowed to develop alternatives to be added as supplements. I've already seen many spell point systems so I though i'd put my development time into something a little more different and interesting, so I turned to the truenaming system.
Now I know that using a skill as a base for a spellcasting mechanic in a 3rd ed based game was not a good idea so I changed it to a level based mechanic, which is yet unnamed.
The basic framework I have so far is:
A Spellcaster gains this numerical spell ability, lets call it spell power for now, at a steady rate over his levels and uses it as a check to cast a spell.
The DC to cast a spell will be along the lines of 10 + Spell level +2 per time a spell of that spell level has been cast (not attempted) + other modifiers, resetting after 8 hours rest in a 24 hour period.
For example casting your first level 1 spell of the day is a mere DC 11, but your third 1st level spell of that day is a much more nasty DC 15.
Wizards and other prepared casters will generally progress slower than sorcerers and other spontaneous casters. For example a wizard might get 3/4 spell power progression where a sorcerer might get 1 to 1.
Instead of extra spells per day for a high casting modifier like in vancian, you add the modifier of your casting stat to your total amount of spell power.
For example a level 4 wizard with 18 INT might have a total spell power of 7, and a level 4 sorcerer with 18 CHA will have a total of 8.
Cantrips will still be infinite as per Pathfinder, so they will effectively be DC 0
Some items or abilities might provide rerolls to spell power checks but very few will provide straight bonuses.
Advantages of this system:
-Can theoretically cast all day as long as you beat the DC (a 20 is not an auto-success though)
-Allows a certain amount of flexibility over Vancian. Your spell slots are used to select which spells you want to be available, not how many of which you have ready that day. This means that you will have less slots. Sorcerers have all their spells known treated as available for casting and can cast more often.
-Concentration checks can easily be replaced by adding to the DC to cast, or by a spell power check replacing a concentration check
Disadvantages of this system:
-Every casting carries a chance of failure at higher DCs (A 1 is not an auto-fail)
-Casting gets tougher and tougher as the day progresses.
-As you level up you become able to cast many more spells per day than your vancian counterparts
Tell me what you think!
Edit: Updated. Less spell slots, 20s and 1s are not auto success/fail.
In that system rework I am in the progress of, have considered alternatives to Vancian spellcasting. I was vetoed in favor of a Vancian 'fix' in the long run, but was allowed to develop alternatives to be added as supplements. I've already seen many spell point systems so I though i'd put my development time into something a little more different and interesting, so I turned to the truenaming system.
Now I know that using a skill as a base for a spellcasting mechanic in a 3rd ed based game was not a good idea so I changed it to a level based mechanic, which is yet unnamed.
The basic framework I have so far is:
A Spellcaster gains this numerical spell ability, lets call it spell power for now, at a steady rate over his levels and uses it as a check to cast a spell.
The DC to cast a spell will be along the lines of 10 + Spell level +2 per time a spell of that spell level has been cast (not attempted) + other modifiers, resetting after 8 hours rest in a 24 hour period.
For example casting your first level 1 spell of the day is a mere DC 11, but your third 1st level spell of that day is a much more nasty DC 15.
Wizards and other prepared casters will generally progress slower than sorcerers and other spontaneous casters. For example a wizard might get 3/4 spell power progression where a sorcerer might get 1 to 1.
Instead of extra spells per day for a high casting modifier like in vancian, you add the modifier of your casting stat to your total amount of spell power.
For example a level 4 wizard with 18 INT might have a total spell power of 7, and a level 4 sorcerer with 18 CHA will have a total of 8.
Cantrips will still be infinite as per Pathfinder, so they will effectively be DC 0
Some items or abilities might provide rerolls to spell power checks but very few will provide straight bonuses.
Advantages of this system:
-Can theoretically cast all day as long as you beat the DC (a 20 is not an auto-success though)
-Allows a certain amount of flexibility over Vancian. Your spell slots are used to select which spells you want to be available, not how many of which you have ready that day. This means that you will have less slots. Sorcerers have all their spells known treated as available for casting and can cast more often.
-Concentration checks can easily be replaced by adding to the DC to cast, or by a spell power check replacing a concentration check
Disadvantages of this system:
-Every casting carries a chance of failure at higher DCs (A 1 is not an auto-fail)
-Casting gets tougher and tougher as the day progresses.
-As you level up you become able to cast many more spells per day than your vancian counterparts
Tell me what you think!
Edit: Updated. Less spell slots, 20s and 1s are not auto success/fail.