Post/Author/DateTime

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Nathreet 02-09-08, 03:42 PM

This has been going through my head for a while. I'm trying to come up with a variant that is more interesting than the standard system and yet usable and simple. Here's what I've got: Either: A. No caster class. Magic operates via a formula that anyone can follow and spell components. At least one of the spell components must be valuable and/or rare (the rest would be of little value, like most 3.5 spell components). They'd cost 10gp x caster level x spell level in a city large enough to carry and recognize spell components. Rare spell components can also be found as treasure, as they may be parts of rare monsters, rare plants, artwork, objects of fine craftsmanship, or even things that are simply hard to find (I like "strand of hair from a pure hearted maiden", for one). Finding and recognizing spell components would involve various knowledge and spellcraft checks. B. Once a spell is studied it is learned and always available, though total memorization takes time. Thus a wizard has a large number of spells to choose from and yet has spell slots like a sorcerer. Thus sorc/wiz would become 1 class, and it might need to be nerfed slightly. Spells must be reviewed either by successfully practice (i.e., casting it) or by reference to a spellbook. Over time there is an increasing spell failure chance for spells that aren't fully memorized or practiced. But assuming the caster has spent the time (as he usually will), spell failure chance is zero. Both variants encourage more obscure spells, since most casters will not prep these spells so they can leave more room for the bread and butter spells. Other spells are often limited to low level utility scrolls, if they're even used at all. The first version also resolves the issues of balancing spells per day to 4 encounters per day. i.e., in 3.5 too many spells per encounter means casters "go nova" w/o using low level spells (more common). Too few or overly nerfed high level spells and casters become too weak (less common). Instead, players would use cheaper spells when possible and expensive spells when needed. Though the same is true in 3.5 when spell slots are exactly balanced to encounters per day. Comments?