Ambitious Houserules pt2: Spellcasting

[glass]

This is the second in a series of threads about houseruling a few of the things close to the core of D&D, which of course have major repurcussions. The first, which was about combat actions, is here

This time, it's about spellcasting.

Scalability
I really like the scalable nature of powers in the XPH, even if I don't think it is particularly psionic. The Wheel of Time also had a scalable system, this time slot based, which I also like a lot. So, one of the aims of this redesign is to move to a scalable system.

I don't think the added complexity of points is worth it unless you do something really interesting with the extra granularity it provides, so I'll be sticking with slots.

In essence, similar spells in the SRD would be combine into a single spell, which would have different effects depending on the level of the slot used to cast it (which I would call the 'slot level').

Each spell would have a base level, and a table or two of effects and modifications based on slot level actually used (relative to base level, ie +1, +2, or even -1 in a few cases). Casters could choose to use a higher level slot without taking the increased power if they so wished, although obviously if the took a negative modifier they would also have to take the accompanying level. The DC would always be based on the actual slot level used.


Actions
The other thing is, the changes I am making to the combat system introduce the possibility of two standard action per round. Obviously, the spellcasting system needs to be revised to take this into account.

The simplest thing would be to make all spells long (full round) actions, but that seems like a bit of a blunt instrument. So currently, I am thinking that the following would be long actions:

• Spells which are a little good for there level (IOW, magic missile).
• Possibly, force spells generally
• Spells which are difficult or time consuming to adjudicate at the table (wish, some illusions)
• Spells which deal with time and actions (haste, timestop)
• Spells which are currently full round spells (Sleep, SM)

And the everything else would be standard actions (or swift actions).

Thus caster might have a choice of one MM (which is guaranteed to hit and not subject to energy resistances), or a couple of rays spells (which do and are).

Thats it for the moment. Thanks to everyone who posted to my previous thread, and thanks in advance to everyone who gets involved in this one.


glass.

 

[Hodgie]

I think this will not only be an ambitious undertaking, but a hugely ambitious undertaking. While certain spells probably are better than others (MM) I don't think they are twice as good. Moreover buffing just got a whole lot easier. When the cleric can get twice as many buff spells off in the same amount of time they are going to be even better. Or True Strike and an attack action! you'll have to completely rebalance all of the spells just to allow two to be cast in a round. Now take into consideration allowing all of them to scale and I'd say you are in for some long hours in front of a computer screen.

 

[glass]

I think this will not only be an ambitious undertaking, but a hugely ambitious undertaking. While certain spells probably are better than others (MM) I don't think they are twice as good. Moreover buffing just got a whole lot easier. When the cleric can get twice as many buff spells off in the same amount of time they are going to be even better. Or True Strike and an attack action! you'll have to completely rebalance all of the spells just to allow two to be cast in a round. Now take into consideration allowing all of them to scale and I'd say you are in for some long hours in front of a computer screen.

Hmm, maybe it is just a bit too much. Maybe if I start from the point of all spells being long actions, and then make a few spells standard actions rather than the other way around. Maybe 'attack type' spells could be std actions (rays, etc).


glass.