D&D 3E/3.5 3e Houserules to emulate 4e: Casting

[Rechan]

So, I'm going to try and use the Death and Dying/Second Wind option for my next game.

One of the players wants to play a Tome of Battle class. Another PC feels this is unfair, that the ToB classes are really powergamey.

I had thought about a second option, one basically allowing all casters to use the "Encounter" manner of spellcasting, to emulate the ToB maneuveres and, basically, put the other characters in more of a similar boat as the ToB char.

The game is 1st level, and then will bump to 3rd or 5th. So here's what I was thinking:

Low level spells function like Per Encounter spells. I don't know how to jigger this so the Wizard is on par with the Sorcerer (perhaps the Wizard can prep different spells between encounters).

Per Day spells for 1st or 3rd level = Free Metamagic spell. Such as a Maximize or a Still or Silent or Extend.

I'm not sure how I'll handle that once it gets to 3rd level.

What do you think?

 

[whydirt]

Someone else suggested that instead of bonus spells per day for high ability scores that you let spellcasters designate a number of their daily spells equal to the bonus as per-encounter abilities. That might be a good jumping off point, although you may need to fine tune the balance.

 

[Xethreau]

I attempted to do this once. I'll coppy paste my experemental text document here for ya. I'm sure its a little unclear, but whatever, its something. This allows for both at will/encounter/daily spells, and something like rituals.

Spellcasters no longer use spells per day (however, spells are still learned in the normal fassion.) Instead they can use two spells per encounter, and one additional spell per encounter for every five levels in that casting class. The highest known spell level may only be cast once per level the character has possessed it (starting count with 1.) Prepared spell casters must still prepare which spells to use in battle, during the normal preperation time. Spontanious caster may use any spell they know in battle, so long as they follow the above rules.

In addition to encounter-spells, spell casters get a number of bonus that may be used during the day for high ability scores. These act like normal "bonus spells" in the sense that they are a daily supply. They act like how the new spells act in that this resource can only be tapped during an encounter. Bonus spells are different from either because they are of the level specified by the bonus spell chart, and may be used regaurdless of the "once per encounter per number of levels the character has possessed it" rule, providing the level of the bonus spell does not surpass the highest level spell normaly avialable to cast. Prepared casters have to prepaire these bonus spells as normal, but spontanious casters do not have to.

In an encounter, a spontatious caster "knows" a number of level 0 spells, which he can use at will. He "learns" one at first, second, and every even level thereafter.

In an encounter, a prepared caster can prepare a number of level 0 spells to cast at will. He gains a new 'slot' at first, second, 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th level.

A prepared caster can 're-prepare' his spells by resting for 5 min. per spell being reallocated.

Outside of battle, a spellcaster may use any spell he or she desires. Prepared casters must turn to their 'source' to do this (wizards look in their tomes, clerics pray). Casting a spell outside of battle is subject to spell recharge time, as shown in the d20SRD under the "Spell Recharge" variant.

 

[Rechan]

I feel that just 2 spells or so per encounter is really strangling. But then, considering the amount of rounds per fight, that's not a lot.

One thought that occurs to me is basically 'You can cast one spell ABOVE your level, once per day'. So a 1st level character can cast one 2nd level spell once per day.

 

[Rechan]

I'm a gunna give this one another bump.