In discussing ways to acheive a "low magic" feel (not really low, but that's another topic) on another thread, I recommended shifting around some of the spells to different levels -- and this brought the expected cries of "Game balance! You'll destroy the game balance!"
Really though, are the spells balanced as they stand now?
We all know certain spells are vastly more popular than other spells at the same level. So my first question is: Which spells have you found most popular (and powerful) at each level?
Second, Which spells have you found least popular (and powerful) at each level?
If you were already going to be modifying the game with extensive house rules, which spells might you bump up or down a level?
Now, when looking at some popular spells, I thought about new spells that might share the same basic mechanics but with totally different "special effects" (to use a Hero-system term). For instance, the popular 1st-level spell, Sleep, effectively kills 2d4 HD worth of enemies. The wizard doesn't have to slit their throats, but he could, and they're certainly out of the current fight. Would there be any problem with a 1st-level spell that turned 2d4 HD opponents to stone? Into toads? Or that cursed them (as with Bestow Curse)? Or left them feeble-minded and drooling like idiots?
Really though, are the spells balanced as they stand now?
We all know certain spells are vastly more popular than other spells at the same level. So my first question is: Which spells have you found most popular (and powerful) at each level?
Second, Which spells have you found least popular (and powerful) at each level?
If you were already going to be modifying the game with extensive house rules, which spells might you bump up or down a level?
Now, when looking at some popular spells, I thought about new spells that might share the same basic mechanics but with totally different "special effects" (to use a Hero-system term). For instance, the popular 1st-level spell, Sleep, effectively kills 2d4 HD worth of enemies. The wizard doesn't have to slit their throats, but he could, and they're certainly out of the current fight. Would there be any problem with a 1st-level spell that turned 2d4 HD opponents to stone? Into toads? Or that cursed them (as with Bestow Curse)? Or left them feeble-minded and drooling like idiots?