I'm putting the finishing touches on a quick, modern conversion of the DnD/Star Wars D20 system to run a Buffyverse game. So far the basic playtests with my group have gone rather well, but I'm hitting on snag on the magic system, in that the standard DnD magic system just doesn't apply very well, but I'm having trouble sketching out a playbalanced system.
What it needs is this
-a spell point system
At the moment, I'm using the Wound Point/Vitality Point system from Star Wars, and am making the vitality cost equal to the spell level times 10 (this is to keep magic from being abused at low levels). A PC can cast any spell they can learn or find, provided they simply have the vitality to cast it.
-skill check
I'm making the PCs make Spellcraft checks versus 10 + spell level to successfully cast spells.
-ritual casting
At the moment, I'm simply letting ritual casting divide the fatigue cost among the circle/group to make high-level spells available with more effort but without a need for high level characters
-over-casting
a PC warlock/witch can cast spells beyond their ability (ie a 5th level witch can cast True Resurrection if she can just scrape up the vitality cost)
-corruption
if they botch a Spellcraft check they have a choice, the spell is twisted by the Hellmouth into a perversion of the original intention. Also, if they fail or botch while over-casting, the PC must make a Will Save DC25 or be taken over by the magic and risk addiction or slide one alignment down towards Evil.
This is my temporary magic system. I'd appreciate comments or criticisms. I'll also be posting my Slayer and Vampire Templates, as well as Watcher and Demon Hunter prestige classes. A friend of mine is working on a Buffyverse character sheet with the Modern Skill and Feats list. I plan to post a link to it here as soon as he's done.
What it needs is this
-a spell point system
At the moment, I'm using the Wound Point/Vitality Point system from Star Wars, and am making the vitality cost equal to the spell level times 10 (this is to keep magic from being abused at low levels). A PC can cast any spell they can learn or find, provided they simply have the vitality to cast it.
-skill check
I'm making the PCs make Spellcraft checks versus 10 + spell level to successfully cast spells.
-ritual casting
At the moment, I'm simply letting ritual casting divide the fatigue cost among the circle/group to make high-level spells available with more effort but without a need for high level characters
-over-casting
a PC warlock/witch can cast spells beyond their ability (ie a 5th level witch can cast True Resurrection if she can just scrape up the vitality cost)
-corruption
if they botch a Spellcraft check they have a choice, the spell is twisted by the Hellmouth into a perversion of the original intention. Also, if they fail or botch while over-casting, the PC must make a Will Save DC25 or be taken over by the magic and risk addiction or slide one alignment down towards Evil.
This is my temporary magic system. I'd appreciate comments or criticisms. I'll also be posting my Slayer and Vampire Templates, as well as Watcher and Demon Hunter prestige classes. A friend of mine is working on a Buffyverse character sheet with the Modern Skill and Feats list. I plan to post a link to it here as soon as he's done.