D&D 3E/3.5 Comparing Standard 3.5 Variant Magic Systems

[ramira]

Having searched for a specific thread on operational use comparisons between the "standard" 3.5 alternative magic systems (Recharge Magic, Spell Points, linked below)

In preparing a revival of an old PBEM campaign, to use more or less standard Ed. 3.5, I am considering adopting one of Alternative Magic systems as I dislike standard Vancian magic, but wish to stay with alternatives supported in tools such as PCGen without any real labour on my part (if I am not mistaken with respect to PCGen).


Recharge Magic

• SRD - Recharge Magic
• Recharge Magic :: d20srd.org

Spell Points

• Spell Points :: d20srd.org
• SRD - Spell Points

I am interested in comments on effective, relatively easy to implement system, rather than ideal customisation. But also it would be interesting to hear thoughts on the positives and drawbacks of each approach.

 

[Aries_Omega]

In my game we use the Spell Points variant. It works really well IMHO. The only thing we really added was "mana" potions...potions of healing that add back spell points. We kept them uncommon still...something like for every 6 potions found one might be a potion of mana recovery instead.

Also we added to the sorcerer abilities similar to the wilder in the whole wild surge and burnout. No one ever used it so it might be a moot point.

 

[ramira]

Comparing Recharge and Spell Points

In my game we use the Spell Points variant. It works really well IMHO. The only thing we really added was "mana" potions...potions of healing that add back spell points. We kept them uncommon still...something like for every 6 potions found one might be a potion of mana recovery instead.

Also we added to the sorcerer abilities similar to the wilder in the whole wild surge and burnout. No one ever used it so it might be a moot point.

I am particularly wondering about comparisons on use between recharge and spell points - which could be interesting to wider readers. For my own uses, given I only participate in PBeM formats, balance is less of an issue (in particular as I have usually felt that magical balance is best dealt by DM discretion if among adult participants).

 

[dulsi]

I've never used a spell point system. I have looked at the spell point system in the SRD for running a game where the characters are inside an MMORPG. It just doesn't seem that well designed to me. Instead I went with a mostly standard spell system. Wizards were eliminated and all casters were switched to spontaneous like the sorcerer and bard. I did add mana potions. They restored a certain number of spell levels and had a maximum spell level they could restore. So the weakest could restore 1d6+1 spell levels with a maximum spell level of 3rd.

 

[Jhaelen]

If you dislike the Vancian magic system just forget about magic and use psionics exclusively.

I wouldn't recommend the spell point system variant, imho, it has some serious balance issues.

 

[Eldritch_Lord]

If you dislike the Vancian magic system just forget about magic and use psionics exclusively.

I wouldn't recommend the spell point system variant, imho, it has some serious balance issues.

Agreed. Vancian casting was designed for spell slots; psionics was designed for power points. Putting Vancian spells with the psionic resource-management system (which is all spell points does) is a recipe for disaster.

 

[dulsi]

If you dislike the Vancian magic system just forget about magic and use psionics exclusively.

The problem is that psionics has a different feel to it than magic. Take astral construct and summon monster as an example. Astral construct feels like you are taking lego pieces and building a monster. For summon monster you're just kinda stuck we the options available. My brother feels that psionics is more oriented to helping the individual as opposed to the party. Magic has shield other to allow you to take the damage for someone else while the psionic share mind sends your damage to another person. Yeah they are almost the same and you could modify share pain but my point is that it doesn't have the same feel by default.

 

[EroGaki]

The problem is that psionics has a different feel to it than magic. Take astral construct and summon monster as an example. Astral construct feels like you are taking lego pieces and building a monster. For summon monster you're just kinda stuck we the options available. My brother feels that psionics is more oriented to helping the individual as opposed to the party. Magic has shield other to allow you to take the damage for someone else while the psionic share mind sends your damage to another person. Yeah they are almost the same and you could modify share pain but my point is that it doesn't have the same feel by default.

My DM has similar views about psionics. I've been trying to break him of these views. In my mind, the psion makes a better sorcerer than the sorcerer; the powers are versatile, the system allows for super-flexability, and psionic powers are both similar and different from wizard spells to make the wizard/sorcerer divide more pronounced.

Mainly, you just have to be a little opened minded about this like the descriptive text for psionic powers. Astral Constructs not your thing? I had a psion call them assault golems that he forged from pure magic; Hostile Empathic Transfer is Vampiric Touch in all was except description. Rather than thinking of Psionics as something completely alien from magic, just declare it as a different method of using magic; that's how I've always viewed it.

 

[dulsi]

Mainly, you just have to be a little opened minded about this like the descriptive text for psionic powers. Astral Constructs not your thing? I had a psion call them assault golems that he forged from pure magic; Hostile Empathic Transfer is Vampiric Touch in all was except description. Rather than thinking of Psionics as something completely alien from magic, just declare it as a different method of using magic; that's how I've always viewed it.

I don't have a problem refluffing the astral constructs to golems or something. The problem I have is that I can no longer be a summoner. The astral constructs are the closest things to summon monster but it has a very different feel.

Additionally even if you replace wizard/sorcerer with psion, what do you do with the cleric? There is no psionic class with similar sorts of powers.

 

[EroGaki]

I don't have a problem refluffing the astral constructs to golems or something. The problem I have is that I can no longer be a summoner. The astral constructs are the closest things to summon monster but it has a very different feel.

Additionally even if you replace wizard/sorcerer with psion, what do you do with the cleric? There is no psionic class with similar sorts of powers.

There's no reason to replace the cleric with a psionic version; the cleric's magic is distinguishable from wizard/sorcerer magic. Wizards and sorcerers, on the other hand, are practically the same; they have access to the same spells, they cast them in the same way, and the have the same hindrances (spell fail due to armor, etc). There is nothing that really makes one different from the other, other than the fire and forget nature of wizard spells versus the sorcerer method.

As for summoning, I can understand that psionics do cover everything. It would be a simple matter to convert summon/calling spells to psionic versions of themselves.