Bit of confusion on spell points.. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Bit of confusion on spell points.. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
corridor
03-08-04, 04:40 AM Ok. Let me start by saying that this book is great. I really missed the Players Option spell point system, among other things. As I was retrofitting a lvl 10 wizard of mine I came to realize that I'm either misunderstanding something or it's poorly thought out.

"0 level spells. Table 5-5:Spell Point costs states the following. 0-level spells cost no spell points to cast. If a spellcaster is capable of casting 0-level spells, she can cast a number of 0-level spells each day equal to three plus the number of spell points gained by that class at 1st level. " (Unearthed Arcana pg 155)

Ok.. does that mean, therefore that all Wizards, Clerics, and Druids only get 5 0-level spells per day? Which they'd have at level 1 and gain no more ever? This makes next to no sense at all so I figure I'm misunderstanding this in some fashon. Might be that it's 4am atm, but can someone either correct my understanding, or if I'm correct, explain to me how this makes any sense?

Thanks all..
Greyman
03-08-04, 05:02 AM They can prepare (or know) more than that.  They are only limited to casting that many a day.  This is the trade off for orisons and cantrips having no cost to cast.

If you prefer, you could adapt the psionic rule for manifesting 0-level powers (talents) and allow the caster to pay spell points to cast more orisons and cantrips once the daily free limit is exceeded.

"0-level powers are an exception to the normal rules governing the payment of power points. Psionic characters can manifest 0-level powers a number of times per day equal to their class bonus (three for psions, two for psychic warriors) + manifester level. After that, they must pay 1 power point each time they wish to manifest a 0-level power, until the next day."
corridor
03-08-04, 09:08 AM Wow is that seriously weird. You can eventually become an archmage and wield all the power of the weave, but mind you can only detect magic 5 times per day. Of course it's always sort of been like that. Spellcasting prime stat doesn't grant bonus spells, but at least there was a progression in spells per day. Still pretty darn weird.

The 0-lvl psion rule sounds interesting. Tho having a # of casts per day for one level of spell alone is a bit of a hassle.(humorously enough I'm also wresting with the ring of wizardry question for the same character)

Good thought, thanks! Any other ideas out there?
Greyman
03-08-04, 07:15 PM Using spell slot casting, you could always use higher level slots to cast your cantrips and orisons, if you really wanted to.  So burning spell points to cast beyond the free limit is just an extension of that idea.  On the other hand, you might as well just use metamagic to get a little value for the price.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
corridor 03-08-04, 04:40 AM	Ok. Let me start by saying that this book is great. I really missed the Players Option spell point system, among other things. As I was retrofitting a lvl 10 wizard of mine I came to realize that I'm either misunderstanding something or it's poorly thought out. "0 level spells. Table 5-5:Spell Point costs states the following. 0-level spells cost no spell points to cast. If a spellcaster is capable of casting 0-level spells, she can cast a number of 0-level spells each day equal to three plus the number of spell points gained by that class at 1st level. " (Unearthed Arcana pg 155) Ok.. does that mean, therefore that all Wizards, Clerics, and Druids only get 5 0-level spells per day? Which they'd have at level 1 and gain no more ever? This makes next to no sense at all so I figure I'm misunderstanding this in some fashon. Might be that it's 4am atm, but can someone either correct my understanding, or if I'm correct, explain to me how this makes any sense? Thanks all..
Greyman 03-08-04, 05:02 AM	They can prepare (or know) more than that.  They are only limited to casting that many a day.  This is the trade off for orisons and cantrips having no cost to cast. If you prefer, you could adapt the psionic rule for manifesting 0-level powers (talents) and allow the caster to pay spell points to cast more orisons and cantrips once the daily free limit is exceeded. "0-level powers are an exception to the normal rules governing the payment of power points. Psionic characters can manifest 0-level powers a number of times per day equal to their class bonus (three for psions, two for psychic warriors) + manifester level. After that, they must pay 1 power point each time they wish to manifest a 0-level power, until the next day."
corridor 03-08-04, 09:08 AM	Wow is that seriously weird. You can eventually become an archmage and wield all the power of the weave, but mind you can only detect magic 5 times per day. Of course it's always sort of been like that. Spellcasting prime stat doesn't grant bonus spells, but at least there was a progression in spells per day. Still pretty darn weird. The 0-lvl psion rule sounds interesting. Tho having a # of casts per day for one level of spell alone is a bit of a hassle.(humorously enough I'm also wresting with the ring of wizardry question for the same character) Good thought, thanks! Any other ideas out there?
Greyman 03-08-04, 07:15 PM	Using spell slot casting, you could always use higher level slots to cast your cantrips and orisons, if you really wanted to.  So burning spell points to cast beyond the free limit is just an extension of that idea.  On the other hand, you might as well just use metamagic to get a little value for the price.