Spell Point curiousities

[harikus]

In our campaign I just died. Lol. I put off making my character and decided on a Gish-like Abjurer just for fun.

We are using Spell Point system which I feel like I have grasped since I WAS playing a Psionic at one point a few months ago. But one thing I DO NOT understand and confused is this.
1. If I equip a ring of wizardry 3 on my Abjurer using the SP system, how many SP does that actually add? I know it doubles memorized 3rd lvl spells but what about when we are using the SP system?
2. Since I am going Abjurer instead of Generalist Wizard, I should be able to have more spells castable AS long as it pertains to that school. So how do the extra SP work out when using a Specialist Wizard?

I know its last minute because I gotta have this guy done tomorrow but those are two questions I find if I could know them before tomorrow night I would be doing well.

 

[Ahnehnois]

As to #2:
"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 #1, AFAIK there is no accepted conversion. The DM can make something up if he wants.

 

[knottyprof]

Super Genius Games has some pdf products out there for a spell point system for pathfinder that looks interesting though I really haven't read through it or tried creating a character based on it. Doesn't answer your questions but definitely a source you may want to look into.
Houserule Handbooks Spellpoint Compilation

 

[harikus]

Thank you. Was the answer for #2 in Unearthed Arcana and I missed it?

Concerning the wizardry rings, I wonder if it makes sense to just use the psionic type rings that add PP as a template.

 

[Ahnehnois]

Thank you. Was the answer for #2 in Unearthed Arcana and I missed it?

Yep. Copied right from here. Not hard to miss these things.

Concerning the wizardry rings, I wonder if it makes sense to just use the psionic type rings that add PP as a template.

I am not familiar with those. Are they in Complete Psionic? In any case, a PP is essentially the same as a spell point and it would be reasonable to price them the same. You might want to check out the Torc of Power Preservation; not sure if this is what you meant or not.

The existing ring of wizardry concept simply doesn't translate into the spell point system. So it's just about making an item that suits your needs and is balanced.

 

[delericho]

We are using Spell Point system which I feel like I have grasped since I WAS playing a Psionic at one point a few months ago.

In all honesty, my usual recommendation - if your group want to convert arcane casters to spell points and you already have access to the Psionics system - would be to just remove the arcane casters from the game entirely and use psioncs instead. After all, why bother doing the work to convert the systems when it's already done elsewhere?

But, anyway...

1. If I equip a ring of wizardry 3 on my Abjurer using the SP system, how many SP does that actually add? I know it doubles memorized 3rd lvl spells but what about when we are using the SP system?

IIRC, a 3rd level spell costs 5 points to cast. So, my recommendation would be to work out the number of 3rd level spells you normally should be able to cast, multiply it by 5, and add that number of SP. (For example, a 6th level Sorcerer with Cha 16 can cast 4 3rd level spells per day (3 for his class, +1 for Cha). Thus, when he dons a ring of wizardry that doubles his 3rd level slots, he gains 20 (4x5) SP to his total.)

Alternately, you could do as you suggest later in the thread and remove the RoW entirely, instead adding a series of items equivalent to the Cognizance Crystals found in the XPH.

2. Since I am going Abjurer instead of Generalist Wizard, I should be able to have more spells castable AS long as it pertains to that school. So how do the extra SP work out when using a Specialist Wizard?

This has already been answered. I'm not super-keen on the answer, but it is correct per the RAW.

 

[lutecius]

In all honesty, my usual recommendation - if your group want to convert arcane casters to spell points and you already have access to the Psionics system - would be to just remove the arcane casters from the game entirely and use psioncs instead. After all, why bother doing the work to convert the systems when it's already done elsewhere?

but it wouldn't be the same in terms of options and flavour unless you convert the missing spells into powers.

 

[delericho]

but it wouldn't be the same in terms of options and flavour unless you convert the missing spells into powers.

IMO, that's probably a good thing, given the relative power levels of the Wizard, the Psion, and the Fighter. But YMMV, of course.

 

[lutecius]

IMO, that's probably a good thing, given the relative power levels of the Wizard, the Psion, and the Fighter. But YMMV, of course.

well, I'm all for reining in the individual power and versatility (eg number of spells known) of high level wizards but not by narrowing the class itself. Psionic disciplines and other class features also don't necessarily fit every wizard concept (not to mention other spellcasting classes) so it would need some work anyway.

 

[Ahnehnois]

Speaking to balance, spell points are much more malleable than slots. Changes to the spell point system are very robust ways of altering caster balance. The vitalizing rules are one decent example, but there are others.

What if there's a recharge rate on spell points, such that you don't necessarily get them all back each time you rest? What if instead of linearly, costs go up exponentially (say, spell level squared, such that a 9th level spell costs a whopping 81 points)? What if spell point drain or recovery are random, making casters unsure of what they have? These are very simple mechanical changes that can radically alter how casters actually play.