Clerics and Modular Spellcasting

[DogBackward]

Just wondering if anybody (who has the Playtest) has noticed this: the Cleric's spellcasting seems to work similar to the Shaman from 3rd edition. That is, they prepare a short list of spells, but then get a set of spell slots they can use to cast those spells, more akin to a Sorcerer. So, essentially, a Cleric casts like a Sorcerer that can change its list of spells known each day.

I really like that method of spellcasting. I checked the Wizard, though, and it seems like it's Cleric only. Still, it's pretty cool, and might help laser Clerics make up for the fact that they don't get Wizard blasting magic.

(I am basing this on the Cleric character sheets, under their class features, in the way the "Spell Preparation" and "Casting a Spell" features are worded.)

 

[The Shadow]

This is my VERY FAVORITE thing in the rules so far: Clerics are spontaneous casters! I have always felt they ought to be.

It seems they get access to all their spells, much like sorcerers, with the exception that they do have to prepare them. So a rushed cleric may not have access to his full list, but a fully-prepared one will.

 

[Mika]

I think this may have been one of Monte Cook's contribution. If you have a copy of Arcana Unearthed or Arcana Evolved, take a look at how spellcasting works in that game. It is almost exactly the same as how a D&D Next Cleric's spellcasting works.

 

[DogBackward]

I think this may have been one of Monte Cook's contribution. If you have a copy of Arcana Unearthed or Arcana Evolved, take a look at how spellcasting works in that game. It is almost exactly the same as how a D&D Next Cleric's spellcasting works.

Yeah, I always did like that. And the way spells are supposed to scale in power by taking up higher slots instead of automatically has a little Arcana in it, too. I like it, I just wish they'd done the same with the Wizard. I may have to house-rule that in, see how it affects balance.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I like that wizards and clerics cast slightly different.

 

[steeldragons]

For years and years I have allowed clerics in my homebrew game setting to cast spontaneously (at least up to 3rd level spells). It makes for a HUGE amount of creativity on the part of the players and makes, for me/my groups from what I've seen, the cleric the real "support" character I always felt they should be, as opposed to just a healin' machine (and/or the more martial deity clerics more than just "attack-pew-pew" casters).

They still have their daily allotment of spell slots and they do keep to [homebrewed] Domain/Sphere spells that are stipulated for their deity. But they just seem to [be able to] do so much more.

And as you and others have said, making the "Casting flavor AND mechanic" different from wizards/mages also contributes a lot to the game and the identity of the characters.

It seems this is a very good thing for the 5e playtest rules. I am further encouraged and optimistic for the new edition.
--SD

 

[am181d]

I think I'd be happier with a straight Sorcerer style approach. The way I see it, Clerics are performing miracles in the name of their god(s). The idea that they could perform a certain miracle yesterday, but can't today because they didn't plan ahead seems to go against the fluff.

"Dear Zeus, I know I said this morning that I wanted to be able to Cure Disease today, but I could really use a lightning bolt right now!"

"LET THIS BE A LESSON TO YOU MORTAL! I, ZEUS, TEMPESTUOUS GOD OF THE SKIES, DEMAND ALL OF MY SERVANTS TO BE NERDY OVER-PLANNERS!"

There are other ways around this (e.g. spontaneously casting domain spells) but it's always seemed to me that the most straightforward fix is to say that Cleric X has Z number of miracles in his Clerical bag of tricks and can perform any of them at any time.

 

[thalmin]

Spontaneous casting from a short list of spells is less overpowering than from a long list. So would you rather the spells get nerfed, have a much shorter list to start with, or have have a short list that is customized on a daily basis?

 

[DogBackward]

I think that Clerical spells should be focused on their god, and so should come only from domains. You get all the domains of your god, not just two. And your Domain spells are your spells known.

In fact, that may well be what they're doing now. It says you have to "prepare" your spells, but even the Sorcerer used to have to meditate for 15 minutes for spells. Maybe that's all this is? They don't give you any other options for preparing spells, so maybe it's just an attempt to standardize the language, and Clerics actually are spontaneous casters already?

 

[Starbuck_II]

Although, I think the fact that you get 1 at will from Cleric is rather low.

Human seems to grant more (Pelor has 3 at wills).