And so I thought... what if mages attacked.... magically?

[Aaron2]

I don't like mages using crossbows, or darts (remember 2nd Ed.?)... mostly , I don't like the fact they were given the ability to use them (mechanically speaking) mostly to have some way to attack when they run out of spells, basically at low levels.

I had the same problem. I created a Guantlet Spell. The spell lasted 1 hour per level and, while the spell was active, the wizards can use a standard action to shoot a tiny fireball. It did 1d6 points of fire damage and it wasn't a touch attack (it was a normal missile attack with a 30 ft range increment). That way a low level wizard would just dedicate 1 spell slot to have the magical equivalent of a short bow.


Aaron

 

[scholz]

I like the idea of the free cantrip. Actually the cantrips are all pretty weak. Why not just let Wizards and Sorcerors cast cantrips at will? At high levels, it is hardly worth the effort. At low levels, it is really not enough to make the character a match for fighters or clerics. Maybe limit thenumber they can prepare, but then let them cast them at will after that. They would still want to memorize D. Magic, Light (probably) but with a unlimited use, the minor combat spells would be viable picks.


Or find a system like Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed that gives spell casters enough spells to make that a viable option.

 

[Gez]

About cantrips, all spellcasters get a number of bonus cantrip (or orisons) slots equal to their caster level. So a level 12 wizard can cast 16 cantrips a day. Not unlimited, but quite enough so he isn't stingy with them.

 

[Li Shenron]

Vuolsi cosí colà dove si puote ciò che si vuole, e piú non dimandare.

OK, I finally had to ask... for the benefit of those who can't make this out, is this translatable without losing it's humor? It seems that having taken Latin many years ago isn't enough to translate Italian on the spot.

I have to say that I believe it doesn't make much sense to translate poetry, and for Dante I may even say it's pointless

However I can try to explain briefly... Dante is travelling through hell under the phisical & spiritual guide of ancient poet Virgilio, and they arrive at a river which the only way to cross is to get a lift on Charon's boat. The demon Charon is used to transport souls, not alive people like Dante, so he objects. But Virgilio freezes him with this sentence, more or less literally "It is wanted this way (in the place) where what is wanted is also what can be, and stop questioning". The place is obviously heaven, so someone in heaven wants Dante to cross that river, and since a wish in heaven simply becomes reality there's no point for Charon to even try...

Why is it in my signature? First it's a hommage to my fav book and it's also my fav sentence to give the players when they question my DM's calls...

 

[Zethnar]

If you've got Unearthed Arcana you could just use the recharge system from that. From what I remember you could cast whatever you want but after you'd cast a spell you couldnt cast another from that spell level untill a certain number of rounds (determined by a dice roll) had passed. Once you're past a couple of levels cantrips only take a round or so to recharge, during which you can cast something like magic missile or fireball anyway.

 

[Grayhawk]

I could remove proficiency with crossbows and give mages (wizards and sorcerers both) the ability to attack... with some kind of spell that isn't a spell and is usable at will. That is, damage, critical, range, all as a light crossbow - only it's magical, shoots out of mage's hand, or his staff, or anything similar. Can look many different ways (ray of light, tiny meteors, etc.) but it's basically physical damage - EXACTLY like a crossbow's. And frequency of attacks is exactly as indicated by the mage's BAB.

It may please you to know that you're not the first to think of this. In his 'Hamlet of Thumble' module Ed Cha put in the exact same thing as a variant rule.

 

[Stormborn]

I think the stats the Ranger gave are perfect, and I can see a mage gathering energies around his fist to "reload." I like this idea and I don't think it would be unbalancing, however some things you should consider:

If it is magical in nature:
-Can it be counterspelled?
I would say no, simply because it isn't really a spell.
-Does Spell Resitance affect it?
I think yes, since Spell Resistance can prevent magical effects and thats what Mage strike is.
-What type of energy does it use?
Force or maybe raw mana stuff. I think it needs to be defined for the game, and would likely call it force. This may lead to situations where it would be blocked (like with a Shield spell maybe) when a crossbow bolt wouldn't be. The Special Effects, the way it looks sounds etc, can be just about anything, and maybe be signature effects for each spell caster.
-Does an antimagic field affect it?
I think yes, again negating its use when a cross bow would work just fine.


It seems like it is an aimable version of magic missle that effects nonliving things as well as living.

Feat wise I would work on the following:
Rapid Recharge: to allow recharging as a free action.
Greater Mage Strike: Allow a +1 weapon bonus to be added to the mage strike
Improved Mage Strike: Allow a +2 weapon bonus to be added to the mage strike

etc.

All ranged weapon feats should apply.

If you have someone in a campaign playing an arcane magic user I say let them have it. I agree that maybe it should substitue for some other class ability, since it can't be taken away. Although since I, like many people, think that Sorcerers aren't quiet as distinct as other spell casters I might give it to them for free and all Wizards to sacrifice Familar or Scribe Scroll for it.

 

[Kemrain]

If it's Force damage, doesn't that mean it can damage etherial opponants?

- Kemrain the Incorporeal.

 

[Scotley]

I have been considering such an ability for my own game. I was thinking that the Wizard/Sorcerer in question should have to give up a first level spell slot to gain the power. A bit more expensive than even a feat. However, I was expecting the range and damage to scale with level to make it a career long benefit. The Character could give up higher level slots to gain greater power such as making the attacks ranged touch rather than simple force missiles. Also, they could give a slot for adding an energy type such as flaming missiles, or frost missiles. I may scale the base damage and range down to something akin to a dagger rather than crossbow and allow them to give up a cantrip slot. I would allow feats to work with this attack; although, I was planning on not requiring quick draw for multiple attacks, yet not allowing the various feats for extra shots. Instead they would need to take a mage specific feat for an extra shot or give up another slot--I'm not sure which. The attacks would draw attacks of opportunity. I hadn't considered spell resistance as yet. When I work out the details I'll post here.

Scotley

 

[FireLance]

Here's an idea that I had earlier which I never really followed up on. You're welcome to adapt and modify if if you want: Incantations.