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Lord_Mephisto 08-25-06, 08:20 PM

I have several issues with some of the basics of the spell system in D&D. I like the way spells work, but I have never liked the spell slot system or the way the dispel magic spells work. 1. Spell Points vs. Spell Slots In the Unearthened Arcane, there exist an excellent variant rule for spellcasting. Instead of the rather old and bulky spell slot system, each caster class is given a certain amount of spell points according to level and ability modifier. Those who prepare spells, now can cast whatever spells they have memorized that day as much as they want untill they are out of spell points. Wizards, Clerics and Druids are favoured with this rule. Those who don't prepare spells, now can cast whatever spells they know as much as they want untill they are out of spell points. Spontanous casters gain more standard Spell Points than prepared casters. Bards and Sorcerers are favoured with this rule. It would of course make the sorcerer less unique in it's ability to cast any spell it wants and thus make the prepared casters stronger compared to the sorcerer. But, the sorcerer and bard would become even more flexible regarding casting spells. 2. The Dispel Magic spells I have always meant they are overpowered spells. I strongly believe some changes should be made to Dispel Magic checks. Here are some examples which should improve the balance of these spells: Dispel Magic (Level 3): * Unable to dispel spells of level 5 or higher level * Spell Focus Abjuration or Greater Spell Focus Abjuration should respectively give a +1 or +2 to both the attacking caster and the defending caster's dispel check. * Dispelling a level 4 spell should be more difficult than dispelling a level 1 spell, thus adding the spell level for defending spellcasters in the dispel check. * Defending caster uses a 10 + modifiers on the caster level check instead of the usual 11 + modifiers. * Every 5 ranks in Knowledge: Spellcraft and/or knowledge: Arcane adds +1 to the check for both attackers and defenders. Greater Dispel Magic (Level 6): * Unable to dispel spells of Level 8 or higher level * Same Spell Focus rules as above * Same dispelling rule as above taking spell level into account for the defending spellcaster. * Defending caster uses 10 + modifiers as above * Every 5 ranks in the same skills as above adds bonuses to the check as above. Counterspelling: * The same checks should be used as above for the appropriate level of Dispel Magic or Greater Dispel Magic. * If you fail the counterspell check as above, you take 1d6 magic damage (fortitude save half) per spell level used for the failed dispel attempt because of backfiring arcane energy. * If counterspelling with the same spell school, as with the Improved Counterspell feat, you cannot counter higher level spells than with what level spell you use. * To counterspell with the same spell school, the skill check of Knowledge: Spellcraft is slightly harder than usual, DC 20 + spell level is needed. A failed skill check expends the spell and fails the counterspell attempt. * Counterspelling with a spell of the same school is considered as counterspelling with the Dispel Magic spells with the same rules as noted above, but without a caster level limit. * You cannot counter hightened spells with lower level spells of the same school. For example, not a hightened level 4 fireball with the same spell school evocation spell of level 3 even though a fireball is a level 3 spell. * You can counter a non-hightened metamagiced spell with the spell of the normal level or with a spell of normal level of the same school if you have the Improved Counterspell feat. * You cannot counter quickened spells (already a standard rule), doing so autofails the spellcraft check (no damage and no spell lost, but you lose your action). These are not final version of a suggested new system. But more general ideas about how to change these issues. Any feedback is greatly appreciated, so is any debate. :D