Blue Mage (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Blue Mage (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dukewhite
03-14-07, 01:37 PM I wanted to make a new class based on the Final Fantasy world's Blue Mage. This would be a spellcaster more similar to a Sorcerer than a Wizard, but would not just know magic innately, but would learn through experience. I want to make sure it's balanced, but at the same time, feel that not being able to choose spells except by paying someone to cast one on you blances out quite a bit.

Learns spells w/ limit per level at Sor spells-per-day rate, and can cast spontaneously, like Sorcerer but has wizard's limit per day plus Wis based (like Cleric) in terms of bonus spells. Wis also determines DC of spell. Must choose at lvl 1 if arcane or divine spellcaster. Regardless of which type of magic one chooses, they can also learn up to 1d4 Supernatural or abilities experienced (as a target) per five caster levels, starting with level 5 (like a wizard's bonus feat.) It is up to DM's discression if a certain ability will unbalance the character. This can result in a scaling down of the ability or that it is simply unlearnable.

Learns new spells two ways:
1) By having the spell cast with him as target. This includes area effects encompassing mage. Can't walk into aura and be effected. Must be within 30ft. at time of casting and have line of sight of caster. This limits certain types of spells that can be learned, for example, something like true resurrection of even Open/Close can not be learned through this method.
2) By watching a spellcaster cast the spell, regardless of the target. Again, within 30 ft. and with line of sight. Any spell learned this way occupies a spell slot one level higher than normal. DC of spell, however, does not raise one level, as per metamagic rules. The only exception to this rule is that a 0 lvl spell never takes a lvl1 slot. Though rarely used, if witnessed, these spells are simple enough for the Mage to comprehend in their base form.

A spell learned through method 2 can be replaced by method 1, at which time the spell moves to its rightful spell level and disappears from its originally learned level.

Spells can only be learned in levels the caster can already cast. Thus, a character hit with a fireball spell (lvl 3) when he can only cast up to lvl 2 spells will not learn it. He must be targeted by the spell again when he has attained this spell level to learn it, or witness it when he has attained two spell levels higher (so it can be raised to a 4th lvl spot.) As the caster gains more spots in lower level spells, he can learn additional spells of that level.

Unlike a sorcerer, at any time, a spell can be replaced by another spell of the same level (or level below with lvl adjustment). when this happens, the original spell is gone, and can only be relearned through regular means. Similarly, a lower level spell can, with no addition to DC, fill a higher level spot, so Magic Missile could exist in a 2nd lvl spot or higher.

Any suggestions?
Chrono Nexus
03-14-07, 01:42 PM This has been made... I don't know where it is now though, but it's years old.
Try to google search for it with WotC specific sites...
dukewhite
03-14-07, 02:11 PM I found it here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=137596&page=1&pp=30) but I want my class to take on a slightly less complicated route. Some elements of that are worth considering, like 1 spell per source per month.
benstundze
03-14-07, 10:06 PM ya just make what you need suggest ability’s if you don’t know how to make it and format the whole thing then just ask how to finish it.
Ben
Flan
03-14-07, 10:27 PM The main point of blue magic isn't the learning (although that is unique) because the learning process takes up a relativly small amount of time compared to the actual use. The main point to blue magic is that it's different in it's effects, and blue mages themselves are more martial based than pure caster.

For FFXI specifically there are 3 main ways it's different than other magic, first is that you have to "equip" spells, you can't have your full list available like other jobs can, although this is very similar to DnD wizards. Second which spells you have equipped will give you bonuses to stats, HP or MP, and different spell combinations will give you additional abilities like conserve MP, attack up etc. Third and most importantly the magic itself uses different rules than black and white magic as some spells are physical attacks, not magical.

Overall Blue Mages are very similar to the prestiege classes in ToB that get both martial and spell progression. I'd start with one of them, add in some learning rules for flavour and add in a class feature that lets them adjust their abilities so they can swap spells for maneuvers and vice versa every day (or with 10 rounds of not being able to use them or somesuch.)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dukewhite 03-14-07, 01:37 PM	I wanted to make a new class based on the Final Fantasy world's Blue Mage. This would be a spellcaster more similar to a Sorcerer than a Wizard, but would not just know magic innately, but would learn through experience. I want to make sure it's balanced, but at the same time, feel that not being able to choose spells except by paying someone to cast one on you blances out quite a bit. Learns spells w/ limit per level at Sor spells-per-day rate, and can cast spontaneously, like Sorcerer but has wizard's limit per day plus Wis based (like Cleric) in terms of bonus spells. Wis also determines DC of spell. Must choose at lvl 1 if arcane or divine spellcaster. Regardless of which type of magic one chooses, they can also learn up to 1d4 Supernatural or abilities experienced (as a target) per five caster levels, starting with level 5 (like a wizard's bonus feat.) It is up to DM's discression if a certain ability will unbalance the character. This can result in a scaling down of the ability or that it is simply unlearnable. Learns new spells two ways: 1) By having the spell cast with him as target. This includes area effects encompassing mage. Can't walk into aura and be effected. Must be within 30ft. at time of casting and have line of sight of caster. This limits certain types of spells that can be learned, for example, something like true resurrection of even Open/Close can not be learned through this method. 2) By watching a spellcaster cast the spell, regardless of the target. Again, within 30 ft. and with line of sight. Any spell learned this way occupies a spell slot one level higher than normal. DC of spell, however, does not raise one level, as per metamagic rules. The only exception to this rule is that a 0 lvl spell never takes a lvl1 slot. Though rarely used, if witnessed, these spells are simple enough for the Mage to comprehend in their base form. A spell learned through method 2 can be replaced by method 1, at which time the spell moves to its rightful spell level and disappears from its originally learned level. Spells can only be learned in levels the caster can already cast. Thus, a character hit with a fireball spell (lvl 3) when he can only cast up to lvl 2 spells will not learn it. He must be targeted by the spell again when he has attained this spell level to learn it, or witness it when he has attained two spell levels higher (so it can be raised to a 4th lvl spot.) As the caster gains more spots in lower level spells, he can learn additional spells of that level. Unlike a sorcerer, at any time, a spell can be replaced by another spell of the same level (or level below with lvl adjustment). when this happens, the original spell is gone, and can only be relearned through regular means. Similarly, a lower level spell can, with no addition to DC, fill a higher level spot, so Magic Missile could exist in a 2nd lvl spot or higher. Any suggestions?
Chrono Nexus 03-14-07, 01:42 PM	This has been made... I don't know where it is now though, but it's years old. Try to google search for it with WotC specific sites...
dukewhite 03-14-07, 02:11 PM	I found it here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=137596&page=1&pp=30) but I want my class to take on a slightly less complicated route. Some elements of that are worth considering, like 1 spell per source per month.
benstundze 03-14-07, 10:06 PM	ya just make what you need suggest ability’s if you don’t know how to make it and format the whole thing then just ask how to finish it. Ben
Flan 03-14-07, 10:27 PM	The main point of blue magic isn't the learning (although that is unique) because the learning process takes up a relativly small amount of time compared to the actual use. The main point to blue magic is that it's different in it's effects, and blue mages themselves are more martial based than pure caster. For FFXI specifically there are 3 main ways it's different than other magic, first is that you have to "equip" spells, you can't have your full list available like other jobs can, although this is very similar to DnD wizards. Second which spells you have equipped will give you bonuses to stats, HP or MP, and different spell combinations will give you additional abilities like conserve MP, attack up etc. Third and most importantly the magic itself uses different rules than black and white magic as some spells are physical attacks, not magical. Overall Blue Mages are very similar to the prestiege classes in ToB that get both martial and spell progression. I'd start with one of them, add in some learning rules for flavour and add in a class feature that lets them adjust their abilities so they can swap spells for maneuvers and vice versa every day (or with 10 rounds of not being able to use them or somesuch.)