Differences from the Original Edition
The extensive feedback from players and Game Masters,
as well as the changes brought about in the new edition of
Fantasy d20, have both guided the creation of this new edition
of Elements of Magic. While the rules follow the same
design philosophy as the original edition, every effort has
been made to simplify and streamline them.
The biggest change is that spell levels have been
dropped. In the previous edition, a 1st-level spell cost 1 MP
to cast, a 2nd-level spell cost 3 MP, a 3rd-level spell cost 5
MP, etc. In this edition, a spell is simply described by its MP
cost. A 5 MP spell will still be equivalent to a 3rd level spell
from the core rules. A 6 MP spell is now possible, however,
which will be about halfway in power between 3rd- and
4th-level spells.
A second major change is the addition of signature
spells. While the original edition included this concept
as optional, it is made a central feature of this edition.
Signature spells allow a caster to more easily personalize her
spells, and also allow any spell to be converted from the core
rules.
The original spell lists, numbering over 40, have
been reduced to just eleven, combining similar lists into
one. Some of them apply only to Creature types, other to
Alignment or Element types, and one can handle all three
groups. Combined with the revisions to the magical skills,
these eleven spell lists can cover practically any spell. For
thorough descriptions of spell lists and magical skills, see
Chapter Three.
There are many other small revisions, all detailed
throughout the text.
