FreeTheSlaves said:
Again, this system does not use spell slots or a given number of spells per day. A limitless capacity of spells in their spellbook would, imho, overpower the mage. Effectively that would be the best of both wizard and sorcerer.
Ah, I see. I didn't know you were going to change spells per day. That makes the reduced caster level for fumbling spells a very different matter. This is an intriguing idea. I do have some concerns though. For one, this could potentially give spellcasters many, many times the # of spells they do now. Those with high ability scores will rarely, if ever, fumble, and would effectively have a limitless supply of spells.
One option you may wish to consider is some kind of "mana" points (not what you think, let me explain). Let's say a caster has a number of "mana" points equal to his caster level + his primary ability bonus (INT for Wizards, CHA for Sorcerers, WIS for Divine casters). Lesser spellcasters such as Bards and Paladins would have a smaller number of points, obviously.
Every time a character casts a spell, have them roll for fatigue, to see whether or not the spell taxed their supply of magical energy. This would could work well as a caster level check, Concentration check, or ability check, whichever you prefer to use for your system. The DC could be 15 + spell level, or some such. If the check fails, the caster loses one mana point. If the check succeeds, no mana point is lost. Once the caster is out of mana, they can continue to cast spells, but if they do, they would become fatigued, then exhausted, then unconcious, etc if they fail their checks. This would put a realistic limit on spellcasting, but would be alot more fun than spells per day, IMHO. It also allows scenarios like those in novels where Mages literally exhaust themselves from casting beyond their limits.
FreeTheSlaves said:
This model is based around a spontaneous caster that uses a spellbook. It, in every way outclasses a sorcerer so to allow sorcerers is to allow a woefully understrength class.
Not necessarily. For example, you could keep the Sorcerer's spells known the same as their spells per day is now (6 of each level + bonus at level 20) and limit the Wizard to preparing a number of spells per day that he can cast now (4 of each level + bonus at level 20). Both classes would be limited to having only these spells available to them. For example, let's say you are a level 1 Wizard with a 16 INT, thus you can prepare 2 1st level spells per day. You pick Magic Missile and Feather Fall, for example. You can then cast either of those spells using your system, but only those spells. But the next day, you could prepare two different spells if you wish. Sorcerers would be stuck with the spells they have chosen at level up, but would have a larger selection than Wizards.
Thus, a Sorcerer would have more spells available to him at a time then a Wizard and doesn't have the disadvantage of a spellbook. The Wizard, while having less spells available to him at a time and having to have a spellbook to prepare from, would have the ability to switch spells on a daily basis, giving him more flexibility. This would, IMHO, retain the distinction between the two classes, and allow Wizards to have endless learning potential without becoming unbalanced. This would also help to keep Divine spellcasters within sane boundaries as well, since they have a huge spell selection available to them for "free."
