Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lord_Shonus 11-26-07, 04:06 PM	Is there any class, published or otherwise, that uses a magic system similar to the Harry potter universe? I've wanted to create one, but I didn't want to waste my time if one already existed.
RobbyPants 11-26-07, 04:30 PM	There might be some 3rd party system out there, but so far as I know, WotC hasn't published anything like that. Unearthed Arcana has some variant casting systems (http://www.d20srd.org/indexes/variantMagic.htm), but I can't see how any of them are that Harry Potter-like. Maybe the recharge vairant (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/magic/rechargeMagic.htm) (where you aren't limited by spells per day) combined with some house-rule where you need a wand to cast would work. Perhaps you could create a metamagic feat where you could cast a spell without your wand, using a slot one or two levels higher. You may want to drastically modify the spell list too. A lot of the direct damage spells seem inappropriate. Some of the save-or-dies wouldn't work well. Perhaps you could create one, and one only save-or-die: the Hevatica (I have no idea how to spell it :P) curse. Anyway, that's all I can come up with. ;)
vorpo 11-26-07, 05:28 PM	I think the d20 board has a quite a few classes people made from ideas like anime or movies or videogames. They "might" have one there. I can't say I have looked tho.
Karzach 11-26-07, 05:36 PM	What exactly do you define as a Harry Potter styled casting system? However, to make a stab at it without your assumptions, it seems like a combination of the sorcerer and the wizard. He has spells known, but can add new ones like a wizard does (though through practice, rather than scribing). Afterwards, you go through and cut out most of the flashy spells from the wizard list, but keep the utility ones, plus a few of the debuffs, and most of the save or dies.
bkdubs123 11-26-07, 08:50 PM	Remember that there are certainly tons of spells in existence in the Harry Potter universe that simply weren't taught to the students or ever used by the professors. Think of how many new spells were used in the 7th book alone. Just because Gandalf never cast a lightning bolt doesn't mean that magics like that did not exist in Middle Earth (or in the greater Earth). You could remove the limit on spells per day entirely and work with a skill-based magic system and change every spell into a ranged touch attack with a very, very, few that aren't ranged touch attacks and perhaps just a few melee touch attacks as well. Of course require a wand as a focus for all spells as well. What you get here is the ability to cast an unlimited number of spells per day, but you have to make a skill check every time. If you fail, the spell fizzles (and perhaps you can't try and cast that spell for some period of time). If you fail by a lot (not sure how much would be appropriate) then you hit yourself with the spell. All spells become ranged touch so you might bump the attack bonus of wizards up to medium (or not) and they all keep any saving throws they had - so first you have to hit them and then they get to save. Finally if you are ever found without a wand you simply cannot cast spells (except those chosen with the feat Eschew Wand - you would choose a spell and you can forevermore cast that spell without your wand you might give this to Wizards as a bonus feat every few levels).
Lord_Shonus 11-29-07, 03:16 PM	That's pretty close to what I was considering as far as mechanics go. As far as the spell list goes, I don't want anything to me more dangerous than Finger of Death (which is almost an exact duplicate of the Avada Kedavra). I intend for this to be a seprate class than wizard or sorcerer. I also intend to prohibit multiclassing into wizard, but not sorcerer. The big area effect spells are out, but some, like Magic missile, would be allowed in modified form.