Post/Author/DateTime	Post
annoyinglizardvoice 08-06-07, 09:42 AM	In my setting, I've been experimenting with using a skill based magic system not unlike that found in Spycraft SFA or Star Wars. I've divided magic up into fire, water, earth, air, mind, perception, forces, life, death, nature, matter, countermagic and summoning. Some feats and class features allow characters to take ranks in these skills. Such characters also have magic points. To cast a spell, a character decides what they want to try to do, spend magic points proportionate to the power of the spell and then makes a skill check to determin the outcome (modified by Cha for quick spells and Int for longer ones). I find this approach a bit more flexable and it encorages players to be creative, rather than just looking through suppliments for something to mess up the game. Has anyone else tried anything like this?
Seeker95 08-06-07, 10:02 AM	About once a week or so someone offers their take on an alternate magic system, ranging from skill-based to point-based to at-will to encounter-based. Other aspects I've seen offered include changing the content such that spells are divided into different schools / elements / circles / categories. (I myself have considered treating magic much like super powers in the old TSR Marvel Superheroes -- you pick a set of base spells at first level, and what those spells can accomplish increases as you increase in level, rather than getting "new spells" over time.) Whatever your new idea, give it a go, and then report back to us how it works for you. Some of us will comment that it isn't D&D anymore. Others will criticize the idea entirely. But as long as you end up having fun with it, your idea is great. If it is not fun, then perhaps the idea is not so great.
SillyRobot 08-06-07, 10:09 AM	Take a look at the Ars Magica magic system. Atlas Games is the current publisher, I think. It uses an effective skill-based system which handles high fantasy surprisingly well. I ran the game under Ars Magica 2nd edition, 3rd edition, and 4th edition (the game has been through a lot of owners including WoTC at one point).
Azezel 08-06-07, 12:31 PM	As a rule, I dislike the idea of 'love it or leave it' - however, when I see these alternate magic threads (or indeed, official systems like Tome of MAgic and Psionics) I have to wonder if the people in question might simply be happier with some other game. There are a few to choose from. House rules are good, necessary, but when you find yourself changing one of the fundamental aspects of the game, perhaps you ought ask yourself why you are playing this game, instead of some other. I can well imagine what would happen if someone on the WW forums said he was going to change vampire disciplins for something based on Saga Edition Force powers, for example.
Rustmonster 08-06-07, 12:42 PM	Today, everyone seems to be putting houserules in the general forums. There is a houserule forum for this stuff. You might get more responses there.
annoyinglizardvoice 08-11-07, 10:06 AM	As a rule, I dislike the idea of 'love it or leave it' - however, when I see these alternate magic threads (or indeed, official systems like Tome of MAgic and Psionics) I have to wonder if the people in question might simply be happier with some other game. There are a few to choose from. House rules are good, necessary, but when you find yourself changing one of the fundamental aspects of the game, perhaps you ought ask yourself why you are playing this game, instead of some other. I can well imagine what would happen if someone on the WW forums said he was going to change vampire disciplins for something based on Saga Edition Force powers, for example. Thanks for the suggestion mate, but I already play other games (I'll try any game that I can get my hands on). I use d+d because it's the one everyone knows of, and because my setting for it is so popular with my crew. I was currious to see if anyone had any warnings/recomendations from trying something like this. Thanks again.