Carefully Introducing encounter based spell management into D&D 3.x

[Geron Raveneye]

Thus, a typical group of 10th level characters could change their routine to: walk for a minute hasted, rest for a minute. Repeat. The cleric would use the resting time to regain divine favor.

Oh man, how I long for the old Haste that used to age the recipient by one year every time he got hasted.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I wouldn't allow spells of 3rd to 6th level to be restored pre-epic without some pretty hefty penalties, because honestly, perma-teleport, a GDM to screw the opponent every encounter, perma-Divine might, and all sorts of other spells would screw over the melee types permanently. They would be reduced to being filler, unless they were incredibly well min-maxed.

It wouldn't even be worth a 4 level boost.. it would probably be worth more, depending on the spell.

You're probably right. My primary concern were long-lasting buffs, for which I did provide a solution, but it won't work for Haste or Divine Might, which will certainly become a problem ("Perma-haste" will probably wack "only" the encounter balance, but "Perma-Divine Might" also screws the balance among characters, and that's not something that can be adjusted lightly)

So, i guess the metamagic option isn't a really viable one. (I don't think it makes sense to just increase the spell level modifier - it means that it only becomes an ability for very high level PCs, and that's not what the goal is) Unless we figure out to balance the effects further.

 

[Obergnom]

The rejuvenation method (regain spell right after casting) would be kind of balanced with a +6 level mod. Kind of, as it would be just as balanced as Percistent Spell is, which is not allowed in my games.

In a way it makes blast as much fun as buffing ... but it would be only available at high levels (13+, good at 17?) and thus not really do any good I think.

 

[SKid4]

What about some kind of spell slot trade-off? That is, putting aside a certain number of spell slots for the same spell to get a rechargeable or at-will spell.

 

[Geron Raveneye]

What about some kind of spell slot trade-off? That is, putting aside a certain number of spell slots for the same spell to get a rechargeable or at-will spell.

Personally, I'd recommend the Arcana Unearthed system for that kind of approach, a pretty elegant (in my opinion) marriage of the sorcerer's and the wizard's spellcasting methods.