Best Alternative Magic System for d20

[gravyboat]

So I saw the advertisement on the main news page about the Elements of Magic book. It looks very interesting as I would like to experiment with alternative magic systems for my game.

So what books, articles, etc., have the best alternative magic systems out there to integrate into my D&D game? How are they in terms of balance, flexibility, simplicity? Does it handle multiclass spellcasters well?

 

[Crothian]

I like the Slaine version. It's low powered but really fits the setting.

 

[Mercule]

I like the Slaine version. It's low powered but really fits the setting.

What's Slaine?

More specifically, got any details about the magic?

 

[Setanta]

Monte's Arcana Unearthed uses a variant spell system. It's not very variant, but there are all kinds of interesting things a character can do, like combining two spell slots together to make a spell "laden" for greater effect. I really like his spell template concept.

Quintessential Chaos Mage has an interesting, yet simple system. I haven't tried it in a game yet, but I will soon, so I can't say for sure if it's quite balanced. For the most part, it reads balanced, if you know what I mean.

There's also a D20 conversion of the Ars Magica system out there. Google will help you find it, and you can also download the Ars Magica fourth edition rules for free now (the conversion assumes familiarity with the base system).

 

[Crothian]

What's Slaine?

More specifically, got any details about the magic?

Slaine is a campaign setting based on some comics. The magic system is point based and the spells are weaker.

 

[johnsemlak]

Slaine is a campaign setting based on some comics. The magic system is point based and the spells are weaker.

Funny, crothian answered a very similar question regarding slaine to me just the other day.

Crothian, maybe it would be simpler if you would put a short description of Slaine in your sig

 

[Michael Tree]

Ironically, two of my four favorite alternate magic systems for d20 are both psionics systems. The Psychic's Handbook published by Green Ronin is a great low-key skills and feats based psionics system. Because it is based on skills and feats, it's

My other favorite alternate 'magic' system is the Expanded Psionics Handbook. It has a much more flexible feel than D&D magic, while still meshing almost perfectly with the core rules.

The Incantations system in Urban Arcana and Unearthed Arcana also has a very nice feel for ritual magic, which D&D magic is almost entirely lacking.

The final alternate magic system I particularly like is the Voodoo magic from Skull and Bones. Houngans (voodoo priests) and Bokor (black magicians who stole their magic knowledge from the Loa) are both capable of low level magical effects on their own, but to create powerful effects they must actually summon and bargain with loa and other spirits.

 

[Psion]

Elements of Magic
Expanded Psionics Handbook
Quintessential Chaos Mage
Psychics Handbook (yes. I am serious when I say that by any fair definition, psychic powers are just magic!)

 

[Geoffrey]

I like the magic system in the d20 Call of Cthulhu game. Any character can learn a spell, so there are no specific spell-casting classes. The spells are fraught with peril for the caster. It's a dark and dangerous system of magic that makes casting a spell a rare thing.

 

[Emiricol]

I love Midnight's magic system. Love it.