Cantrip feat

[Inconsequenti-AL]

The idea is for higher level casters to spontaneously manifest minor magical powers... Mainly aimed at wizards, I figure a druids or clerics are less likely to go for it.

Cantrip Magic
Prequisites: Caster Level 9+, Access to 0 level spells.
You have no need to prepare 0 level spells. You may cast any you know spontaneously. Any metamagic with a level cost over 0 must be prepared and/or cast in the normal way. Any level cost 0 metamagic applied increases the casting time to 1 full round.

Was considering a second feat that allows sorcerors access to all cantrips instead of the 9 they know, but I figure that's pretty redundant?

Is it balanced? Is it too much? Any thoughts? Does it tread on a sorcerors toes too much?

 

[hong]

I don't think it'll steal anyone's thunder; in fact, I can't really see anyone wanting to take this feat. Cantrips just don't show up that much in play. It might be better just to say everyone can automatically cast cantrips spontaneously, if that's the sort of campaign flavour you're after.

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

You've hit the reason I wanted to introduce it... IME, most players forget they even know cantrips until they run out of 'real spells'.

That's a good idea. I'm might do just that...

Tempted to put a level restriction on it, although I guess spontaneous cantrips would simply make a nice perk for low level casters, rather than uber-powerz.

I was thinking it's the sort of thing that ought to be a feat, but you could be right about the lack of appeal...

 

[Nifft]

IMC, I separate out only combat-oriented cantrips -- every non-combat cantrip effect is subsumed into a 0-level spell called "Cantrip".

So, my PCs only need to mark specific combat cantrips if they choose to do so. Otherwise, they can cast "Cantrip" and get Light, Prestidigitation, Open/Close, Mage Hand, etc. It reduces book-keeping and doesn't affect combat balance.

-- N

 

[Marshall]

Tempted to put a level restriction on it, although I guess spontaneous cantrips would simply make a nice perk for low level casters, rather than uber-powerz.

Just make it a class ability at 9th level(or whenever) and have the SOR/FS learn a new cantrip every level. It also wouldnt hurt to go with the (3.0?)Psionic Talent method for per day use of 3+lvl.

 

[Khaalis]

I too like the Talent version of for Cantrips.

You could do:

All preparation spellcasters can cast any 0-level spell they know, casting a number of 0-level spells per day equal to 3+Level.

All spontaneous spellcasters can cast any 0-level spell they know, casting a number of 0-level spells per day equal to 6+Level

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

Nifft's got the answer I was really after. Thanks!