How fast should magical power return to a caster?

[HeinorNY]

Simple addition to D+D

All spells require a spellcraft check of 15+(n*spell level), if failed the spell still goes off, but the caster makes a concentration check, same level. If failed, caster becomes fatigued. If caster asts while fatigued and fails both rolls, takes n*spell level hit points of damage.

\\\"n\\\" elegantly reflects how difficult spell casting is in your world,

When we used this we removed armor restrictions. Instead, DC increases by Armor bonus *3. skiping a component was allowed: material (5-10 depending on the cost); Somatic (+5), Verbal (+5).. Others, riding +5, rding in a storm +10..... etc (see concentration check modifiers)

WHile ago I thougt about some house rules like that, and I wonder if they really work.
A few problems appeared. When you use a skill to cast spells, that skills becomes an obvious must for everyone, and all casters will maximize it. Why not instead create a kind of base caster bonus modified by the casting ability. Wizards will have an advantage over the other casters because he will still only need a high Int score, but the others will need a high Wis and Cha and also a high Int to cast the spells.
Same happens with the concentration skill, a little less, because anyone needs a good Con.
The other problem is with the loss of hit points is that it creates the situation where multiclassing into a barbarian, or being a dwarf makes you somehow a better spellcaster, and elves, the classic wizards, become weakling casters.
And also, implementing another roll, and maybe even to more rolls to cast a spell can slow the game.
I\\\'m totally in favor of a magic system that wearies the caster, but I want one that does not use HP nor more rolls.

 

[Dragonblade]

X per day is a tired holdover. It should be per encounter more like Tome of Battle or tokens in Iron Heroes. Obviously to compensate, spells should be reduced in power. Or you can simply increase casting times.

I like using the idea of mana tokens similar to Iron Heroes. A spell costs 1 token per spell level to cast. All spells have a default casting time of 1 standard action. This can be increased and give you a token discount. This casting time can be decreased to a move or free action for a token cost increase. All mages have a token pool equal to X. A mage can take a full round action doing nothing but gathering mana and can recover Y tokens. Determine X and Y based on how powerful mages should be in your game.

 

[HeinorNY]

X per day is a tired holdover. It should be per encounter more like Tome of Battle or tokens in Iron Heroes. Obviously to compensate, spells should be reduced in power. Or you can simply increase casting times.

I like using the idea of mana tokens similar to Iron Heroes. A spell costs 1 token per spell level to cast. All spells have a default casting time of 1 standard action. This can be increased and give you a token discount. This casting time can be decreased to a move or free action for a token cost increase. All mages have a token pool equal to X. A mage can take a full round action doing nothing but gathering mana and can recover Y tokens. Determine X and Y based on how powerful mages should be in your game.

What would prevent the caster to start the encounter always with full mana tokens?

 

[Onyx]

Hmm.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that's an editing burp; the "8 hours rest" is assumed to be your overnight sleep, though "overnight" *can* mean during daylight if circumstances demand it, and that there's one such sleep period per day.

Lanefan

Yes, but why?

I mean, what is the representation of that idea?

A wizard is a trained specialist (don't read as specialist wizard), having come into his ability to manipulate magic through training and study of formula. The concept of a smart and experienced wizard being able to have more spells mentally prepared doesn't seem (to me, at least) like it has anything to do with external inbuement.

If the source of that inbuement is not external, then why would you guess that the rule as given is an editing mistake? Quite frankly, if a wizard rests his mind for 8 hours he should be able to prepare as many spells as his mind will allow him. Why would the book state that it need not be sleep unless you could do it without sleeping? What special significance does the rising and falling of the sun have to his ability to prepare spells?

 

[Voadam]

Per encounter, though recharge magic from UA is an OK system.