Wulf Ratbane
Adventurer
I'm going to present this a little differently this time. Rather than intersperse commentary throughout, I'll present it as is, then field the questions I anticipate. The Unified Spell Progression is new and different, but by looking at the wizard and sorcerer together, the mechanic will be more readily apparent. (If you have questions about specific multiclass combos and their spell allotments, I will be happy to present as many examples as you like.)
The overall design goal was to de-emphasize the importance of the Spells Per Day table of each class, and to differentiate the spellcasting classes primarily by class features-- as is the case with the melee classes.
Unified Spell Progression
This alternate system attempts to rebalance all the basic classes to allow spellcasters to multiclass more freely. In 3rd edition, multiclass spellcasters kept two (or more!) distinct caster progressions: caster level, spells known, and spell slots per rest. In practice—and particularly in the case of the Mystic Theurge prestige class—this generally meant giving up your highest level spells in exchange for twice as many lower level spell slots. And the Mystic Theurge was the best case scenario.
In Trailblazer, all classes have a Base Magic Bonus. There are four progressions: +1/3 levels (barbarian, fighter, rogue), +1/2 levels (monk, paladin, ranger), +2/3 levels (bard), and +1/level (cleric, druid, sorcerer, wizard), as shown on the table at right. The Base Magic Bonus from each class adds together, just as the Base Attack Bonus combines for melee characters.
The character’s total Base Magic Bonus determines his caster level, the highest level spell he may cast from a given class spell list, his spell slots per rest, and the number of spells he may ready each day.
At 1st level in any spellcasting class, the character gains access to all spells on a given spell list, adding them to his list of spells known. After a suitable rest period, the spellcaster chooses the spells he will ready from his list of spells known.
Ready Spells and Spell Slots
When a spellcaster prepares spells, he chooses (from his entire class list of spells) a subset of spells that he will have access to for spellcasting.
When he casts a spell, he may only cast a spell that he has readied; however, he may cast any spell he has readied, using his available spell slots, in any combination.
A spellcaster may always opt to use a higher-level spell slot to power a lower level spell. He also has much greater flexibility with regards to metamagic. A spellcaster need not ready the metamagic version of any spell; rather, if he has the spell readied, has access to a metamagic feat, and has a sufficiently high spell slot available, he may apply the effects of metamagic as he casts.
Characters who multiclass into another spellcasting class gain access to all of the spells on the spell list of the new class. However, although this adds considerable versatility, their spells readied and spell slots per rest are still calculated solely on their Base Magic Bonus.
In addition, each spell list carries with it certain restrictions. A multiclass character may have access to spells from many different lists, but he must meet all criteria and abide by all restrictions when casting a spell from that list.
Maximum Spell Level
Spellcasters are limited to the maximum spell level they may cast in three ways:
1) by their total caster level;
2) by minimum ability score, as listed above;
3) by base magic bonus in the chosen class.
The highest level spell a character may cast from any class spell list is equal to his base magic bonus from that class.
Converting Prestige Classes
If you want to use prestige classes in your game, you will need to convert them to this system.
Classes Without Spellcasting Ability
Increase their base magic bonus by +1 per 3 levels (as fighter or rogue).
Classes With Supernatural Abilities Only
At the DMs discretion, classes (like the monk) with many supernatural abilities may increase their base magic bonus by +1 per 2 levels, but they do not otherwise gain access to any spell lists.
Classes With Unique Spell Lists
The caster gains access to all of the spells available to that class. Advance the base magic bonus by +1 as soon the class gains access to 1st level spells (including any “0” entry on the spell slot table). The class should advance by an additional +2 base magic bonus each time the class gains access to a new spell level. Ideally, you will divide this +2 bonus into two +1 increases, spaced out as evenly as possible.
Classes With “+1 level of existing class”
These are the simplest to convert: grant the class +1 base magic bonus each time this entry appears on their list of class features.
* The highest level spell a character may cast from any class spell list is equal to his base magic bonus from that class.
** A character must be a spellcaster in order to cast spells.
WIZARD
Alignment: Any.
Hit Die: d6.
Class Skills
The wizard’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int).
Skill Points Per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Wizards are proficient with the club, dagger, heavy crossbow, light crossbow, and quarterstaff, but not with any type of armor or shield. Armor of any type interferes with a wizard’s movements, which can cause his spells with somatic components to fail.
Spells: At 1st level, the wizard gains access to all arcane spells. To ready or cast a spell, the wizard must have an Intelligence score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a wizard’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the wizard’s Intelligence modifier. He receives bonus spell slots and ready spells per rest if he has a high Intelligence score.
Wizards are versatile spellcasters. They do not have as many spell slots per rest as the sorcerer, but he may ready many more spells. This allows the wizard much greater utility and flexibility to prepare for the unexpected.
Bonus Languages: A wizard may substitute Draconic for one of the bonus languages available to the character because of his race.
Familiar: A wizard can obtain a familiar in exactly the same manner as a sorcerer can. See the sorcerer description and the information on Familiars for details.
Bonus Feat: At 1st level, a wizard gains a bonus feat from the list of Wizard bonus feats. At 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th level, a wizard gains an additional bonus feat. The wizard must still meet all prerequisites for a bonus feat, including caster level minimums. These bonus feats are in addition to the feat that a character of any class gets from advancing levels.
Bonus Ready Spell: At 1st level, the wizard may ready one additional 1st level wizard spell in addition to those normally gained through his Base Magic Bonus. At every level thereafter, the wizard continues to gain bonus readied wizard spells, as shown on the table.
A multiclass wizard cannot use these bonus ready spells to ready spells from other class lists.
Read Magic: The 0-level read magic spell is always considered ready for a wizard.
Spellbooks: A wizard must study his spellbook each day to ready his spells. He cannot ready wizard spells if for any reason he is denied access to his spellbook (with the exception of read magic, as above). A multiclass wizard may ready spells as normal for his other classes, but if he loses his spellbook, he loses access to bonus ready spells gained from his wizard levels.
School Specialization
A school is one of eight groupings of spells, each defined by a common theme. If desired, a wizard may specialize in one school of magic (see below). Specialization allows a wizard to cast extra spells from his chosen school, but he is then prohibited from learning, readying, or casting spells from some other schools.
A specialist wizard can ready one additional spell of his specialty school per spell level each day, over and above all his other ready spells, and he gains an additional spell slot which he may only use to cast that spell. He gains a +2 bonus on any Spellcraft checks pertaining to the spells of his chosen school.
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SORCERER
Alignment: Any.
Hit Die: d6.
Class Skills
The sorcerer’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Craft (Int), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Persuasion (Cha), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int).
Skill Points Per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Sorcerers are proficient with all simple weapons. They are not proficient with any type of armor or shield. Armor of any type interferes with a sorcerer’s gestures, which can cause his spells with somatic components to fail.
Spells: Sorcerers cast wizard spells, and their spells are the same in all respects, including arcane spell failure. However, sorcerers cast arcane spells through innate power (often derived from a fey, draconic, or even infernal bloodline), as opposed to study and research. A sorcerer can meet the ability score criteria of wizard spells using his Charisma rather than his Intelligence.
At 1st level, a sorcerer gains access to all the spells on the wizard spell list. To learn or cast an arcane spell, a sorcerer must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a sorcerer’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the sorcerer’s Charisma modifier. He receives bonus spell slots and ready spells per rest if he has a high Charisma score.
A sorcerer’s selection of spells is limited. He does not ready as many spells per rest as the wizard; however he gains many more spell slots per rest. The sorcerer may only use his bonus spell slots to cast spells from the wizard/sorcerer spell list.
Note: When a sorcerer casts a spell affected by a metamagic feat, his casting time is not increased.
Familiar: A sorcerer can obtain a familiar.
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The overall design goal was to de-emphasize the importance of the Spells Per Day table of each class, and to differentiate the spellcasting classes primarily by class features-- as is the case with the melee classes.
Unified Spell Progression
This alternate system attempts to rebalance all the basic classes to allow spellcasters to multiclass more freely. In 3rd edition, multiclass spellcasters kept two (or more!) distinct caster progressions: caster level, spells known, and spell slots per rest. In practice—and particularly in the case of the Mystic Theurge prestige class—this generally meant giving up your highest level spells in exchange for twice as many lower level spell slots. And the Mystic Theurge was the best case scenario.
In Trailblazer, all classes have a Base Magic Bonus. There are four progressions: +1/3 levels (barbarian, fighter, rogue), +1/2 levels (monk, paladin, ranger), +2/3 levels (bard), and +1/level (cleric, druid, sorcerer, wizard), as shown on the table at right. The Base Magic Bonus from each class adds together, just as the Base Attack Bonus combines for melee characters.
The character’s total Base Magic Bonus determines his caster level, the highest level spell he may cast from a given class spell list, his spell slots per rest, and the number of spells he may ready each day.
At 1st level in any spellcasting class, the character gains access to all spells on a given spell list, adding them to his list of spells known. After a suitable rest period, the spellcaster chooses the spells he will ready from his list of spells known.
Ready Spells and Spell Slots
When a spellcaster prepares spells, he chooses (from his entire class list of spells) a subset of spells that he will have access to for spellcasting.
When he casts a spell, he may only cast a spell that he has readied; however, he may cast any spell he has readied, using his available spell slots, in any combination.
Example: Johannes is a 1st level druid. He gains access to all spells on the druid spell list. At 1st level, his Base Magic Bonus is +1. Consulting the table, he notes that he receives three 0-level spell slots and one 1st level spell slot. Due to his high Wisdom, he receives an extra 1st level Ready spell and spell slot.
Johannes readies detect magic, know direction, and resistance as his 0-level spells; he readies entangle and shillelagh as his 1st level spells.
Until Johannes rests again, he can cast three 0-level spells, chosen from any of the three he has he readied, and two 1st level spells, chosen from the two he readied, in any combination.
In the course of reaching the dungeon itself, he’s called upon to cast know direction twice, and he casts resistance once as well, using up the last of his three 0-level spell slots. A patrol of goblins catches the party just outside the dungeon, and Johannes casts entangle. He saves his last 1st level spell slot for later, but he’ll be able to cast either entangle or shillelagh as the situation warrants.
Johannes readies detect magic, know direction, and resistance as his 0-level spells; he readies entangle and shillelagh as his 1st level spells.
Until Johannes rests again, he can cast three 0-level spells, chosen from any of the three he has he readied, and two 1st level spells, chosen from the two he readied, in any combination.
In the course of reaching the dungeon itself, he’s called upon to cast know direction twice, and he casts resistance once as well, using up the last of his three 0-level spell slots. A patrol of goblins catches the party just outside the dungeon, and Johannes casts entangle. He saves his last 1st level spell slot for later, but he’ll be able to cast either entangle or shillelagh as the situation warrants.
A spellcaster may always opt to use a higher-level spell slot to power a lower level spell. He also has much greater flexibility with regards to metamagic. A spellcaster need not ready the metamagic version of any spell; rather, if he has the spell readied, has access to a metamagic feat, and has a sufficiently high spell slot available, he may apply the effects of metamagic as he casts.
Characters who multiclass into another spellcasting class gain access to all of the spells on the spell list of the new class. However, although this adds considerable versatility, their spells readied and spell slots per rest are still calculated solely on their Base Magic Bonus.
In addition, each spell list carries with it certain restrictions. A multiclass character may have access to spells from many different lists, but he must meet all criteria and abide by all restrictions when casting a spell from that list.
Bard spells are arcane spells, and require a minimum Charisma equal to 10 + spell level to ready or cast. In addition, all bard spells have a somatic component (playing an instrument) and a verbal component (singing, chanting, etc.) Bards are able to ignore the arcane spell failure chance on their spells when wearing no armor or light armor. Heavier armors interfere with their playing and thus carry a chance of arcane spell failure.
Cleric spells are divine spells, and require a minimum Wisdom equal to 10 + spell level to ready or cast. Clerics and paladins both gain access to all cleric spells at 1st level. In addition, clerics (but not paladins) may gain access to additional spells through their chosen domains.
Druid spells are divine spells, and require a minimum Wisdom equal to 10 + spell level to ready or cast. Druids and rangers both gain access to all druid spells at 1st level. In addition, no character can cast druidic spells while wearing metal armor of any kind. Such attempts automatically fail.
Wizard spells are arcane spells, and require a minimum Intelligence equal to 10 + spell level to ready or cast. Wizard spells with somantic components require intricate hand gestures, and armor of any kind interferes with casting. Any character wearing armor suffers from a chance of arcane spell failure.
Sorcerers cast wizard spells, and their spells are the same in all respects, including arcane spell failure. However, sorcerers cast arcane spells through innate power (often derived from a fey, draconic, or even infernal bloodline), as opposed to study and research. A sorcerer can meet the ability score criteria of wizard spells using his Charisma rather than his Intelligence. A sorcerer must have a minimum Charisma of 10 + spell level to cast his spells.
A character with a +1 or higher ability score modifier gains both bonus spell slots and bonus ready spells over and above the number listed on the table below. Multiclass spellcasters use their highest applicable ability score to determine bonus spell slots per day and the DC of their spells, regardless of which spell list they use to ready and cast spells.Cleric spells are divine spells, and require a minimum Wisdom equal to 10 + spell level to ready or cast. Clerics and paladins both gain access to all cleric spells at 1st level. In addition, clerics (but not paladins) may gain access to additional spells through their chosen domains.
Druid spells are divine spells, and require a minimum Wisdom equal to 10 + spell level to ready or cast. Druids and rangers both gain access to all druid spells at 1st level. In addition, no character can cast druidic spells while wearing metal armor of any kind. Such attempts automatically fail.
Wizard spells are arcane spells, and require a minimum Intelligence equal to 10 + spell level to ready or cast. Wizard spells with somantic components require intricate hand gestures, and armor of any kind interferes with casting. Any character wearing armor suffers from a chance of arcane spell failure.
Sorcerers cast wizard spells, and their spells are the same in all respects, including arcane spell failure. However, sorcerers cast arcane spells through innate power (often derived from a fey, draconic, or even infernal bloodline), as opposed to study and research. A sorcerer can meet the ability score criteria of wizard spells using his Charisma rather than his Intelligence. A sorcerer must have a minimum Charisma of 10 + spell level to cast his spells.
Maximum Spell Level
Spellcasters are limited to the maximum spell level they may cast in three ways:
1) by their total caster level;
2) by minimum ability score, as listed above;
3) by base magic bonus in the chosen class.
The highest level spell a character may cast from any class spell list is equal to his base magic bonus from that class.
Example: A Cleric 2 / Fighter 9 has a total caster level of 5th (+2 base magic bonus from 2 levels of cleric and +3 from 9 levels of fighter). A 5th level character is ordinarily able to cast 3rd level spells; however, because the base magic bonus derived from his cleric levels is only +2, he is limited to 2nd level cleric spells. Taking a single level of cleric at his next opportunity would increase him to Cleric 3 / Fighter 9, with a total base magic bonus of +6, and access to 3rd level cleric spells due to his +3 base magic bonus from his cleric levels.
Converting Prestige Classes
If you want to use prestige classes in your game, you will need to convert them to this system.
Classes Without Spellcasting Ability
Increase their base magic bonus by +1 per 3 levels (as fighter or rogue).
Classes With Supernatural Abilities Only
At the DMs discretion, classes (like the monk) with many supernatural abilities may increase their base magic bonus by +1 per 2 levels, but they do not otherwise gain access to any spell lists.
Classes With Unique Spell Lists
The caster gains access to all of the spells available to that class. Advance the base magic bonus by +1 as soon the class gains access to 1st level spells (including any “0” entry on the spell slot table). The class should advance by an additional +2 base magic bonus each time the class gains access to a new spell level. Ideally, you will divide this +2 bonus into two +1 increases, spaced out as evenly as possible.
Classes With “+1 level of existing class”
These are the simplest to convert: grant the class +1 base magic bonus each time this entry appears on their list of class features.
Code:
Base Spell Slots/Spells Readied Per Day
BMB* 0th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
+0** 3 — — — — — — — — —
+1 3 1 — — — — — — — —
+2 4 2 — — — — — — — —
+3 4 2 1 — — — — — — —
+4 4 3 2 — — — — — — —
+5 4 3 2 1 — — — — — —
+6 4 3 3 2 — — — — — —
+7 4 4 3 2 1 — — — — —
+8 4 4 3 3 2 — — — — —
+9 4 4 4 3 2 1 — — — —
+10 4 4 4 3 3 2 — — — —
+11 5 4 4 4 3 2 1 — — —
+12 5 4 4 4 3 3 2 — — —
+13 5 4 4 4 4 3 2 1 — —
+14 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 2 — —
+15 5 4 4 4 4 4 3 2 1 —
+16 5 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 2 —
+17 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 2 1
+18 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 2
+19 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3
+20 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4** A character must be a spellcaster in order to cast spells.
WIZARD
Alignment: Any.
Hit Die: d6.
Class Skills
The wizard’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int).
Skill Points Per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Wizards are proficient with the club, dagger, heavy crossbow, light crossbow, and quarterstaff, but not with any type of armor or shield. Armor of any type interferes with a wizard’s movements, which can cause his spells with somatic components to fail.
Spells: At 1st level, the wizard gains access to all arcane spells. To ready or cast a spell, the wizard must have an Intelligence score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a wizard’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the wizard’s Intelligence modifier. He receives bonus spell slots and ready spells per rest if he has a high Intelligence score.
Wizards are versatile spellcasters. They do not have as many spell slots per rest as the sorcerer, but he may ready many more spells. This allows the wizard much greater utility and flexibility to prepare for the unexpected.
Bonus Languages: A wizard may substitute Draconic for one of the bonus languages available to the character because of his race.
Familiar: A wizard can obtain a familiar in exactly the same manner as a sorcerer can. See the sorcerer description and the information on Familiars for details.
Bonus Feat: At 1st level, a wizard gains a bonus feat from the list of Wizard bonus feats. At 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th level, a wizard gains an additional bonus feat. The wizard must still meet all prerequisites for a bonus feat, including caster level minimums. These bonus feats are in addition to the feat that a character of any class gets from advancing levels.
Bonus Ready Spell: At 1st level, the wizard may ready one additional 1st level wizard spell in addition to those normally gained through his Base Magic Bonus. At every level thereafter, the wizard continues to gain bonus readied wizard spells, as shown on the table.
A multiclass wizard cannot use these bonus ready spells to ready spells from other class lists.
Read Magic: The 0-level read magic spell is always considered ready for a wizard.
Spellbooks: A wizard must study his spellbook each day to ready his spells. He cannot ready wizard spells if for any reason he is denied access to his spellbook (with the exception of read magic, as above). A multiclass wizard may ready spells as normal for his other classes, but if he loses his spellbook, he loses access to bonus ready spells gained from his wizard levels.
School Specialization
A school is one of eight groupings of spells, each defined by a common theme. If desired, a wizard may specialize in one school of magic (see below). Specialization allows a wizard to cast extra spells from his chosen school, but he is then prohibited from learning, readying, or casting spells from some other schools.
A specialist wizard can ready one additional spell of his specialty school per spell level each day, over and above all his other ready spells, and he gains an additional spell slot which he may only use to cast that spell. He gains a +2 bonus on any Spellcraft checks pertaining to the spells of his chosen school.
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Code:
Level BAB BMB Class Features
1 +0 +1 Bonus feat, bonus readied spell (1st), read magic,
spellbooks, summon familiar
2 +1 +2 Bonus readied spell (1st)
3 +1 +3 Bonus readied spell (2nd)
4 +2 +4 Bonus readied spell (2nd)
5 +2 +5 Bonus feat, bonus readied spell (3rd)
6 +3 +6 Bonus readied spell (3rd)
7 +3 +7 Bonus readied spell (4th)
8 +4 +8 Bonus readied spell (4th)
9 +4 +9 Bonus readied spell (5th)
10 +5 +10 Bonus feat, bonus readied spell (5th)
11 +5 +11 Bonus readied spell (1st, 6th)
12 +6 +12 Bonus readied spell (1st, 6th)
13 +6 +13 Bonus readied spell (2nd, 7th)
14 +7 +14 Bonus readied spell (2nd, 7th)
15 +7 +15 Bonus feat, bonus readied spell (3rd, 8th)
16 +8 +16 Bonus readied spell (3rd, 8th)
17 +8 +17 Bonus readied spell (4th, 9th)
18 +9 +18 Bonus readied spell (4th, 9th)
19 +9 +19 Bonus readied spell (5th)
20 +10 +20 Bonus feat, bonus readied spell (5th)SORCERER
Alignment: Any.
Hit Die: d6.
Class Skills
The sorcerer’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Craft (Int), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Persuasion (Cha), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int).
Skill Points Per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Sorcerers are proficient with all simple weapons. They are not proficient with any type of armor or shield. Armor of any type interferes with a sorcerer’s gestures, which can cause his spells with somatic components to fail.
Spells: Sorcerers cast wizard spells, and their spells are the same in all respects, including arcane spell failure. However, sorcerers cast arcane spells through innate power (often derived from a fey, draconic, or even infernal bloodline), as opposed to study and research. A sorcerer can meet the ability score criteria of wizard spells using his Charisma rather than his Intelligence.
At 1st level, a sorcerer gains access to all the spells on the wizard spell list. To learn or cast an arcane spell, a sorcerer must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a sorcerer’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the sorcerer’s Charisma modifier. He receives bonus spell slots and ready spells per rest if he has a high Charisma score.
A sorcerer’s selection of spells is limited. He does not ready as many spells per rest as the wizard; however he gains many more spell slots per rest. The sorcerer may only use his bonus spell slots to cast spells from the wizard/sorcerer spell list.
Note: When a sorcerer casts a spell affected by a metamagic feat, his casting time is not increased.
Familiar: A sorcerer can obtain a familiar.
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Code:
Level BAB BMB Class Features
1 +0 +1 Bonus spell slot (0th, 1st), summon familiar
2 +1 +2 Bonus spell slot (1st)
3 +1 +3 Bonus spell slot (1st)
4 +2 +4 Bonus spell slot (0th, 2nd)
5 +2 +5 Bonus spell slot (2nd)
6 +3 +6 Bonus spell slot (2nd, 3rd)
7 +3 +7 Bonus spell slot (3rd)
8 +4 +8 Bonus spell slot (3rd, 4th)
9 +4 +9 Bonus spell slot (4th)
10 +5 +10 Bonus spell slot (4th, 5th)
11 +5 +11 Bonus spell slot (5th)
12 +6 +12 Bonus spell slot (5th, 6th)
13 +6 +13 Bonus spell slot (6th)
14 +7 +14 Bonus spell slot (6th, 7th)
15 +7 +15 Bonus spell slot (7th)
16 +8 +16 Bonus spell slot (7th, 8th)
17 +8 +17 Bonus spell slot (8th)
18 +9 +18 Bonus spell slot (8th, 9th)
19 +9 +19 Bonus spell slot (9th)
20 +10 +20 Bonus spell slot (9th)
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