What solution for "Cantrips don't feel magical"?

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[Satyrn]

Cantrips were first introduced, semi-officially, in 1e in Unearthed Arcana (in 1985).

This was originally raised in a Dragon Magazine column in 1982 by EGG. They had such effects as "belch."

Were they unlimited use? Yardiff suggested 3e's cantrips were the first place that D&D rules gave spellcasters unlimited magical attacks, but that's not the case since 3e's cantrips used spell slots slots. I think it's 3e's Reserve feats.

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[Yardiff]

I wasn't suggesting that unlimited cantrips started in 3e, I was suggesting that the first damage/attack cantrips were the d3 damage cantrips from 3e.

 

[Satyrn]

I wasn't suggesting that unlimited cantrips started in 3e, I was suggesting that the first damage/attack cantrips were the d3 damage cantrips from 3e.

Ah. Okay. It was hard to tell, since you seemed to be replying to a post that was talking about unlimited attacks.

 

[jayoungr]

I'll never understand the attitude this board has toward magic.

I like playing magic users. I like using spells. I like knowing what they can do. I like choosing the right one for the right occasion. If I'm not using spells, I don't feel like a magic user. Shooting a crossbow doesn't make me feel like a magic user.

When you say you "want magic to feel magical," I hear that you want me to have less fun.

I don't understand why you're so dead-set against my fun.

 

[Caliburn101]

Re-iterative attacks and actions have always been 'meh' from a drama point of view.

Using the optional combat manoeuvres in the DMG makes swinging a sword less 'meh'.

I think having a similar but MAGICAL list of things that a caster can do with a cantrip (and only a cantrip) would solve the problem.

 

[mrpopstar]

My only gripe with cantrips is that they feel like effect spams as opposed to energy zaps. Using wizards as an example, I wish their offensive cantrip was more along the lines of a single magic missile, or anything other than repeated cold'n'slow cold'n'slow cold'n'slow.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

My only gripe with cantrips is that they feel like effect spams as opposed to energy zaps. Using wizards as an example, I wish their offensive cantrip was more along the lines of a single magic missile, or anything other than repeated cold'n'slow cold'n'slow cold'n'slow.

I would love to have magic users have a basic attack, modified by their focus and class features, and different classes have different types of effects they can add to their basic spell attack.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

Players should say "Abracadabra" when their PC casts a cantrip. You know. So that it feels more magical.