Alternative casting methodologies for casters

[Sadrik]

Here are three pretty cool ways for players or DMs to alter the feel of their casters. I went with spell costs similar to the sorcery costs of the sorcery points so that these would mesh. The encounter based Warlock method is very nice for a multiclassed cleric/warlock or really any caster who wants to recover after a short rest. The Spell Point methods are very good blending with the sorcerer. Also, they can be used to simulate a Power Point feel for the psion out of any class.

Warlock Casting Methodology
Gain Warlock's spell slots feature (though I might add +1 at each level for standard warlock too for that matter).
Gain Warlock's max spell level feature.
Gain Warlock's mystic arcanum class feature (though I might use a standard casters spell slots for spell levels 6-9 instead for this feature- also for the standard warlock).

Encounter Spell Points Casting Methodology
Cost to cast a spell is Spell Level 1 is 2, 2 is 3, 3 is 5, 4 is 6, 5 is 7, 6 is 9, 7 is 10, 8 is 11, and 9 is 12.
Gain caster level + casting stat in spell points.
Short rest you recover ¼ spell points. (could be ½, could be all, could be ½ current, lots of options here)
Long rest you recover all spell points.

Daily Spell Points Casting Methodology
Cost to cast a spell is Spell Level 1 is 2, 2 is 3, 3 is 5, 4 is 6, 5 is 7, 6 is 9, 7 is 10, 8 is 11, and 9 is 12.
Gain caster level x3 + casting stat in spell points.
Short rest you recover no spell points.
Long rest you recover all spell points.

 

[Sadrik]

Fatigue Casting
Each spell you cast increases your potential for becoming exhausted. Roll a casting stat save after each time you cast a spell. DC is 10+spell level. If you fail your exhaustion level increases by 1 (PHB pg. 291).

This is a simple but effective way to limit spell casting. Eventually a caster will fail a save and at level 3 they are rolling with disadvantage. Alternatively this could be based off of CON rather than their casting stat. In this case it would be their ability to temper their potential of getting exhausted solely off of how tough they are.

Intervention
Before you cast a spell you must make a plea check as part of the components to casting the spell. This is a CHA check. If it is a spell on your spells known list (I recommend clerics receive this too) the DC is 10 + spell level. If it is another spell the DC is 15 + spell level. Each time you cast a spell you gain a Intervention Point, each of these points increases your DC by 1 as well. The DM may give you advantage or disadvantage as they deem fit as well. The bar should be fairly high when granting advantage and disadvantage on these rolls. If you fail the roll the spell does not come to you. Intervention is not required to cast 0 level spells. A short rest praying and pleading can remove one intervention point (offerings and sacrifices might remove more) and a long rest can remove all of them.

This is an excellent methodology for clerics and warlocks. Their ability to cast magic is based on their ability to connect directly with their patron/domain.

 

[Samloyal23]

It would be interesting to use different methodologies for each caster in a campaign to reflect differences in their training and philosophy...

 

[Sadrik]

It would be interesting to use different methodologies for each caster in a campaign to reflect differences in their training and philosophy...

Yes it could be interesting, however this would make multi-classing less useful for casters.

If you were to cluster them how would you do it?
Bard (I don't should this be a unique casting method or just a wizard (or perhaps sorcerer) with an instrument instead of a wand?)
Cleric/Paladin (connection with a divine force, pleading would work and the warlock should fit here too)
Druid/Ranger (tap ley lines, draw magical power from the natural world, preserver/defiler perhaps)
Sorcerer (tap internal resource, could exhaust oneself by going too far)
Warlock (similar to cleric)
Wizard/Fighter-EK/Rogue-AT (learned knowledge unlock the underpinning secrets of the universe, bard seems to fit here too)