Post/Author/DateTime	Post
snikt-snikt 06-18-07, 08:41 PM	Hello, I was thinking of running a harry potteresque campaign and was wondering if anyone has tried this. More specifically if you've tried one what type of magic system did you use? Cheers.
polt 06-19-07, 09:41 AM	I'd take a look at green ronin's True20 game, that would work excellent in that kind of system.
Xaer 06-20-07, 12:02 AM	Well, generic ideas applied there would be: All spells(excluding cantrips) need the use of a magical focus, usually a wand. Silent spell would be worth a much bigger spell level increase. Spells would increase in the amount that could be cast per round ala iterative attacks. Problems: HP would be very irrelevant, as most of the pentultimate spells deal status effects. Many spells are nicely broken, such as the death spell, which is mentioned many times as having no save(if you get hit, you die). Reflex save suddenly becomes god.
snikt-snikt 06-20-07, 05:05 PM	Xaer, I agree with your suggestions. I was also thinking most (95%) of spells would be touch attacks (ranged or melee). I also would use the variant of AC bonus in place of hit points. Does anyone have any other ideas or have you tried a similar magic system before?
Dracomortis 06-20-07, 05:25 PM	Xaer, I agree with your suggestions. I was also thinking most (95%) of spells would be touch attacks (ranged or melee). I also would use the variant of AC bonus in place of hit points. Does anyone have any other ideas or have you tried a similar magic system before? Well, how much like Harry Potter are you trying to make it work? If you want people to have to learn their spells from teachers and what not, you'd need to work out a formula for how long it takes someone to learn a given spell, and how many spells you can know at any one point; wizards and witches in the Potter universe tend to know a lot more spells, but they tend to be less powerful than D&D spells. I would also suggest there maybe be some kind of skill check to see if you can cast a spell (this would represent pronouncing right, especially under stressful situations, much like truename magic, as well as if you perform the proper movements with your wand); this would probably be a Spellcraft check, and I imagine the same DCs used for truename magic would work just fine.
General Felire 06-20-07, 05:33 PM	While I like the idea I don't think the static nature of D20 works for this. In Harry Potter spells are cast a lot of times without fear of forgetting them or needing to meditate to regain spell slots. So I think a spell system using Magic Points would be better. Even more, it is mentioned that some spells need certain willpower or it would not work. Example, for the death spell it is mentioned by Moody in the 4th book that probably all the kids in the class could cast it on him and all he would have is a nose bleed. This shows that a certain minimum is needed, but that it is otherwise castable. So I think skill checks for spells is better than static ability. Also, it is constantly shown that some people are stronger than others. Now this could be shown by class level, but Harry Potter is the same age as his classmates and he can't be too far above them. Remember, they are kids. So, while I like this, I think a lot would have to change. Also, as you would be playing all wizards then it would be stupid to have only one magic using class. It would be better if magical ability was something that trnascended class. While I am somewhat sorry to do this, I think the Star Wars Saga Force system could be used for this.
polt 06-21-07, 02:07 AM	I really have to recommend true20 once again. It has a simplicity and versatility to it that really suits Harry Potter well I think. It's very easy to limit the players from those I-rend-the-earth-in-half spells, but the magic system is also very versatile so it's easy for players to have fun with small spells. Stuff like fixing glasses, making a feather fly, turning a rat into a frog and stuff like that. And it's a system where you create A LOT of the flavour, which means you can just say "We're gonna play this like Harry Potter", and you'll be a long way already. Just make everybody play adept. It's very cheap, you can buy the PDF on the greenronin site, or www.true20.com