|
|
|
HOME ]||[ Contact Us
|
|
Below you will find a few variations we've implemented for spellcasters, spells, and spellcasting in general for our campaigns. To summarize, the first variation listed below is the Spell Point System that was introduced in Unearthed Arcana, though modified as we found that system had skewed the numbers as it was written. We have also listed a few variants on specific spells found in the core system. Lastly, we've altered the way some of the classes cast and/or access their spells.
Spell Point System With this variant, spellcasters still prepare spells as normal (assuming they normally prepare spells). In effect, casters who prepare spells are setting their list of "spells known" for the day. They need not prepare multiple copies of the same spell, since they can cast any combination of their prepared spells each day (up to the limit of their spell points). Casters still prepare bonus spells of each level as appropriate for high ability scores (if they normally do so). Reference the chart below to see bonus spell slot progression.
These same bonuses from high ability scores also grant bonus spell points. To determine the number of bonus spell points gained from a high ability score, see the chart below.
Use whichever ability score would normally award bonus spells for the character's class. Then you simply cross-reference the character's relevant ability score with the highest level of spells he can cast, and that number is your amount of bonus points. This value can change each time your ability score undergoes a permanent change (but not from spells or items that boost ability scores, such as Fox's Cunning or a Headband of Intellect) and each time your level changes.
A character who would normally receive bonus spells from a class feature (such as from wizard specialization or access to a Domain) can instead prepare extra spells of the appropriate levels, Domains, and/or Schools. The character doesn't get any extra spell points (and thus can't cast any more spells than normal), but the added flexibility of being able to use the bonus spell more than once per day makes up for that. For class features that grant bonus spells of a nonfixed spell level (such as the dragon disciple's bonus spells), the character instead gains a number of bonus spell points equal to twice the highest spell level he can cast, minus 1 (minimum 1 point) each time he gains a bonus spell. This is a fixed value--it doesn't increase later as the character gains levels--though later rewards may be larger as appropriate to the character's spellcasting ability.
Characters who cast all their spells spontaneously--such as bards and sorcerers--don't have to prepare spells. They can cast any spell they know by spending the requisite number of spell points. Figuring out how many spell points that certain prestige classes grant (that do not grant levels that are stackable with another class) is fairly easy. Some are as simple as finding a matching class, such as the Paladin, below. If you cannot find a list that grants exactly the same amount as any below, then use the Cost chart to figure it out the old fashioned way.
Each spell costs a certain number of spell points to cast. The higher the level of the spell, the more points it costs. The chart below covers spells of up to 9th level; increase the costs exponentially for metamagic enhanced spells that would go over this limit. Spellcasters regain lost spell points whenever they could normally regain spells. Doing this requires the same amount of rest as normal for the class. Spell points are not divorced from the body; they are part of it. Using spell points is mentally tiring, and without the requisite rest period, they do not regenerate.
Utilizing metamagic feats with this system is simple. Effectively, the character must pay for the spell as if it were a higher-level spell, based on the adjustment from the metamagic feat. If the metamagic effect would increase the spell's effective level above what she is normally capable of casting, she can't cast the spell in that way. A character with nonstacking spellcasting ability from multiple classes (such as a cleric/wizard) has a separate pool of spell points for each spellcasting class. Such characters may only spend spell points on spells granted by that class. Bonus spell points from a high ability score apply to each pool separately, even if the same ability score is tied to more than one spellcasting class. In the rare situations when a spellcaster has prepared or knows the same spell in two different slots (such as a druid/ranger preparing Delay Poison as both a 2nd level druid spell and a 1st level ranger spell), the character can cast the spell using either pool of spell points, but the spell is treated as being cast by a caster of the level of the class from which the spell points are drawn.
When a character would lose a spell slot (such as from gaining a negative level), he instead loses the number of spell points required to cast his highest-level spell (a spell does not disappear from memory). Please note that on the table below, spell levels above 9th are listed only for purposes of metamagic enhanced spells.
* NOTE: 0-Level spells cost no points to cast. If a spell caster is capable of casting 0-Level spells, she can cast a number of 0-Level spells equal to three + the number of spell points cast by that class at 1st Level.
One thing about spellcasting that I want noted beyond the spell point system above is the fact that damage caps & bonus caps have been removed for the majority of spells above 2nd level. This means that spells such as Fireball and Lightning Bolt deal 1d6 per caster level, without the maximum of 10d6 (so a 20th level caster would cast a 20d6 Lightning Bolt).
As far as spells available for use in the game go, pretty much any spell from any d20 source is a viable option. Exceptions would be when a company makes a spell that is a different version of one already available in the official sourcebooks. More often than not, we'll use the official version. If you have a question about whether or not a spell is allowed, simply ask the DM.
Below you will find a list of official spells that we will be tweaking, mostly because the new version of each leaves a lot to be desired for us old school D&Ders. I liked them more as they were back in previous editions. I may add more to this in future, though I am trying to change as little as possible in order to keep some semblance of game balance in place, and for the sake of simplicity.
The other change we've implemented is the way spells are cast by some of the classes. This is in part due to the implementation of the spell-point system, and in part because we've used similar variations in past campaigns across the differing editions. The fact that we simply do not like the Vancian spellcasting system in any way has a lot to do with our decision to make these changes.
The domain name http://www.roleplaynexus.com and all its subdirectories [Descent Into Darkness - Drow Campaign of the Forgotten Realms, Zartenoth - Land of the Coming Storm, Storm Riders of Zartenoth] belong to Lisa Lassiter and all are protected by federal laws. Any duplication in part or in full, without written consent is a violation of these laws. The visuals, such as graphics, backgrounds and music have their own Copyrights and were free to use with permission. The majority of the d20 material gathered and contained within are property and copyrighted to various roleplay companies such as Wizards of the Coast, which is a Hasbro® owned company with its own Terms & Conditions to follow (see the Open Gaming License). Any pictures not specifically stating otherwise are property of Lisa Lassiter, having been commissioned by various artists. The artists hold the respective copyrights in most cases, and you need both the express written permission of ourselves and the artist in question to use such graphics. If you wish to use any information on this site (that we have deemed of our own creation as opposed to Open Gaming Material and material otherwise copyrighted to someone else) please contact the webmasters and all respective creditors mentioned in this statement. Thank you. This is a non-profit site, and commercial use is prohibited.
|
