Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Khatoblepas 05-18-07, 01:50 PM	Okay, so I must admit, I'm a stickler for high level spells. I love the flavour that ultimate power gives you. But... it's all too easy. In fantasy stories people never just cast Meteor Storm without cost. Bringing reality to it's knees needs more than just expending a spell for a day. So here's what I propose. Scrap all spells above 6th level. After 6th level, it just starts to get silly. Sure, I can imagine someone polymorphing under their own power (indeed, it's seen as the pinnacle of power to transform like that), but using Wish? Performing miracles as a standard action? No way. Even some of the less abusive spells are spammed around like they're NOT things of great power. Would it balance everything if you stopped spell level progression above 6th level spells, and replaced it with the much more flavourful Incantation system? http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/magic/incantations.htm Sure, you can still have your Real Ultimate Power, but there are no Time Stop Instant wins, or overpowering the melee guys. But to give the spellcasters some more versitility, I'd use the Spell Point system instead to avoid the 'Running out of slots' dilemma. So even if you spam "high level" spells, you still have some left over for low level spells. Another advantage is that even if the incantations are really powerful (Some more powerful than 9th level spells in some ways) they require skill checks that can be done by a secondary caster (!!! Suddenly those skill points become useful for something for anyone but the rogue) and they don't use Spellcraft, like epic spells. So no +30 competence item unless it's for every possible skill. It gives ALL the party a part in this magic! The wizard doesn't have Open Lock for the incantation that dispels a magical stasis effect? Ask the rogue. Oh my god, the wizard doesn't have any ranks in Intimidate? Barbarian to the rescue! Everyone can have a go ^^. Incantations also stop the game from breaking at high levels, if the DM is smart. The DM can always give out new incantations if and when he wants to, and usually to stop the high cost Incantations have drawbacks and backlash. Before epic levels, these are quite serious, especially when the player can't make his own. I'd still allow them to make normal 1-6th spells, but not incantations. So what do YOU think? Does it nerf the game too much if you replaced high level spells with Incantations? I know that melee types are already underpowered, but if you replace them with ToB stuff, whilst the spellcasters get spell points and more versatility, AND they have to lead the incantations later on. : ) They can save their spell points for augmenting area control and buffing the party, rather than blowing them all on 9th level Wail of the Banshee (or similar) all the time. That sucks. : (
Infinitum 05-18-07, 11:28 PM	It sounds like your pushing into psionics a bit with the spell point system. Plus, it is the spell slots per day that does limit casters. Spell casters are strong, I'll grant you that. However, they can't just nova whenever they want. Casters must be reserved in their castings, being able to use spells only when necessary to prevent from expending unnecessary spells. Sure, Wizards can cast Wish, but it costs them 5,000 XP and it lays itself in the hands of the DM. Miracle is a decent spell, but nothing overpowering. Meteor Swarm is a joke at higher levels because of resistances, immunities, spell resistance and high creature hitpoints. I would also like to note that expanding the abilities of spell casters to other classes, such as fighters and rogues, you essentially make them able to play both roles with equal efficiency. This overpowers the melee types and essentially tips the balance into the other end of the spectrum. May I note that the hit points of casters are already significantly lower than most creatures. As soon as they let their guard slip, they are dead. A broken game is one without a good DM to keep things in check. Not everything is balanced. However, a single spell system like this only introduces new problems for everyone. It also takes away from the uniqueness of the character classes that I and others love. Make what you will of this, I'm giving you my honest forward opinion on this just as you asked. Maybe someone else will like this, but not I.