2007-08-29 Magic Fix

GreyWulf wrote a short commented summary of the upcoming D&D 4th ed.

GreyWulf

summary of the upcoming D&D 4th ed.

Thanks! 😄

Here’s what I think I’d like in a new magic system. First, let’s list the disadvantages of the current system:

• Magic users will rest to recover their spells anyway. Old school gamers might like the planning aspect of playing old-school wizards, but the fact remains that this made the game less fun at lower levels.
• Artifacts and Überspells remained unexplained in the core rules. Whenever the adventure featured rituals, group magic, or powerful artifacts, it felt like the DM cheating on behalf of his NPCs.
• Spell level vs. caster level causes a lot of confusion for newbies.

• Solution*: All spells are *always available*, but in order to limit the use of high-level spells, add a *recovery time* during which no other spells can be cast. As an example for lower level spells, use the current caster level as the recovery time. This should work for all spells up to spell level three or four. For higher spell levels, start thinking of recovery time in minutes and hours. This means that low level spells will be a per-encounter resource while high level spells remain a per day (or rarer!) resource.

Benefits:

• Magic users can cast a magic missile every second round. No problem.
• Magic users can cast a fireball every five rounds. Thus, two fireballs for big encounters.
• Big rituals can be added to the list, because requirements such as a minimum number of days or casters participating are finally explained by the rules. Those would be the new very high level spells.

Unrelated bonus link: http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=1292 Shamus Young and his commentators on Gaming Clichés... ;)

http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=1292 Shamus Young and his commentators on Gaming Clichés

​#RPG ​#thoughts

Comments

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How about if spells with a Spell Level two or lower than your maximum castable level are castable at will? That way, a 3rd level Wizards can cast 0-level spells at will, a 5th level can cast 1st level spells at will, etc. That would give a significant boost to pure spellcasters without overly imbalancing the game.

What thinks you?

– GreyWulf 2007-08-30 13:04 UTC

GreyWulf

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Interesting take. However:

1. At higher level, magic users would be stronger. I don’t think we need to make them stronger at higher levels.

2. At lower levels, magic users remain unchanged. What I would like, however, is for Wiz-1 and Cle-1 characters to be able to cast *Magic Missile* and *Cure Light Wounds* at will. Or, if you’re a mean DM, let them cast *Disrupt Undead*, *Ray of Frost*, and *Cure Minor Wounds* at will...

It really depends on what you mean by “overly imbalancing the game.” Having extremely weak wizards growing into extremely powerful characters has been one of the joys of old school wizard players. I think getting rid of it will make wizards more fun. I’d balance things by adjusting the recovery time needed. If a 100% hit using *Magic Missile* every second round is too powerful, then allow it only every third or fourth round. Or if you want magic to be more erratic, allow it only every 1d4 rounds.

– Alex Schroeder 2007-08-30 13:19 UTC

Alex Schroeder

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Take a look at Earthdawns magic system which pretty much fixes all the issues you list...

– madalex 2007-08-30 15:31 UTC