Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 JRutterbush Jul 09, 2014 6:36:22	So, I decided to work up a very quick Spell Points system for my homebrew game: I love the direction spell preparation has moved in, but having leveled spell slots still rubs me the wrong way. However, that adds more than a little extra versatility to mages while also removing one of their biggest fixes this edition, that being the much more limited number of high level spell slots. So I came up with a method to help prevent spamming of high level spells, which I figure could also be useful for other groups to use if they want to try to discourage the dreaded magic-user nova battle.   Spell Stamina You have a Spell Stamina score equal to the highest level spell that you can cast. Each time you cast a spell, you temporarily reduce your Spell Stamina by an amount equal to that spell's level. At the start of each of your turns, you regain one point of Spell Stamina. Whenever a spell you cast reduces your Spell Stamina to less than zero, you run the risk of injury and exhaustion: make a Constitution saving throw with a DC equal to 10 plus the level of the spell you cast. If this saving throw fails, you take damage equal to 1d6 per level of the spell cast and gain one level of exhaustion. Casting cantrips does not affect your Spell Stamina in any way. You can't cast any spells at all while your Spell Stamina is zero or less.
#2 himrin Jul 09, 2014 7:12:36	This is an interesting idea.   I, personally, would change the stamina score to be equal to caster level instead of highest spell level. For me, I like the idea that a 20th level wizard should be able to cast meteor swarm in two successive rounds (thinking predominantly on uses in massive combat).
#3 mellored Jul 09, 2014 7:18:02	I trew up an idea like this a while ago.  But i made it a little simplier.     Arcane Exasition:  When you cast a spell, you cannot cast anothing spell, except a cantrip, on your next turn. Level 5: You can use level 1 spells without suffering from arcane exaustion. Level 10: You can use level 2 spells without suffering from arcane exaustion. Level 15: You can use level 3 spells without suffering from arcane exaustion. Level 20: You can use level 4 spells without suffering from arcane exaustion.
#4 Karnos Jul 09, 2014 7:19:04	NM, missread less than zero as zero.
#5 mellored Jul 09, 2014 7:19:06	himrin wrote:
#6 Gnarl Jul 09, 2014 7:34:31	I don't think this is going to work. The implementation is probably too restrictive.   I haven't tried 5e yet but it appears that only the top 2-3 higher level spells you can cast are the ones causing the novas. If you can cast a 8d6 fireball while the fighter is swinging a sword for 8d8 damage every round, it's not a nova. What I'm trying to say is that a wizard that can cast 9th level spells is not going all nova by tossing cones of colds or fireballs.   I think a better implementation of your idea (a good one) is to try to restrict access to the higher level spell slots. Ideas could be something as simple as limiting your higher level spells to once per encounter. A variant that could also prevent the wizard from going nova on round one would be to require some kind of check to cast your higher level spells.
#7 leo9sign Jul 09, 2014 9:11:42	From a theatrical perspective this works really well. It makes the wizard a more visceral being and not just heavy artillery platform.   From the perspective of a wizard player, I hates it, it burns us and makes us hurts!  : )   There may be other factors such as concentration and long casting times to consider.   I like the concept though.   What about using the character's Con instead of an extra score to track?
#8 JRutterbush Jul 09, 2014 9:50:42	himrin wrote:
#9 Gnarl Jul 09, 2014 10:05:24	JRutterbush wrote:
#10 Tony_Vargas Jul 09, 2014 12:05:18	I don't see how a cool-down mechanic prevents novas.  I mean, I see how it prevents /combos/, sure, but a nova is just opening big.   You can whittle your stamina down casting lesser spells or you can open with the biggest thing you can cast while you still have the hps to survive the experience.  The latter would be a 'nova,'  and might often be the best option.
#11 Saelorn Jul 09, 2014 12:30:37	Tony_Vargas wrote:
#12 JRutterbush Jul 09, 2014 13:22:50	Tony_Vargas wrote:
#13 FFSAA Jul 09, 2014 14:11:12	Tony_Vargas wrote:
#14 JRutterbush Jul 09, 2014 15:01:51	FFSAA wrote:
#15 Tony_Vargas Jul 09, 2014 16:22:09	Maybe I'm thinking 'alpha strike' ;)   Nerd-etimology aside, I can see how it shuts down combos.  But wouldn't a warm-up mechanic - like 13A's escalation die - do a better job?   Actually, I suppose you could do both.  Have powerful spells that can only be used after you've "overcome resistance" or "build up power" by succeeding with a lesser spell or two, but /also/ having a spellpoint or stamina to manage.  So you need to balance between building up and conserving enough to cast what you're building up to?
#16 Saelorn Jul 09, 2014 16:29:41	Tony_Vargas wrote:
#17 leo9sign Jul 09, 2014 23:03:08	In the spirit of keeping things as rules light as possible, allow the character's Con. to be the number by which to gauge a caster's spell stamina.                                                                                            Maybe something like...   Each consecutive spell beyond the first of a spell level higher than the character’s Con modifier, forces a Con check. Failure (a d20 roll totaling higher than the character’s Con) incurs a level of exhaustion.   Things will spiral rapidly out of control if the caster doesn’t at least pace his or her casting. The first penalty imposed by exhaustion is disadvantage on ability checks.   I am not saying that this is really needed at all, but if Nova proves to be an issue, then use the numbers already in play instead of creating new stats to track.   This is going to drastically change score priorities for the caster, but could be fun in a gritty campaign.