d20 casting mechanic - "levels" of magical talent?

[GlassJaw]

I'm always messing around with various magic systems but one mechanic I've never seen in a d20 system, or at least that I'm not familiar with, is a "stat" that represents innate magic ability or potential.

Basically a stat that is equivalent to the amount of "midichlorians" someone has and that is independent of age, character level, caster level, etc.

For example, in Shadowrun 4ed, you "buy" (at character creation) the Magic stat just like any other ability. This value represents the maximum Force you can cast spells. It's a great system and really opens up the variations on types of casters.

For example, you could have someone with a very high Magic rating but doesn't know many spells (young and untrained, high potential) or something with a low rating but has been studying a long time and everything in between.

I've tried to think of some ways to implement this concept in d20 but they aren't very good short of introducing a brand new stat. Even then, that leaves the question of how do you "purchase" varying levels of said stat (and I don't consider a random roll a valid option even worth discussing).

 

[Plane Sailing]

Many people felt that Wheel of Time d20 should have had a stat to represent that persons strength in the One Power.

However, both of the old d20 WoT sites seem to have disappeared, but there might be something in the forums here http://www.callofthehorn.com/forums which appear to still be active.

 

[GlassJaw]

Looked there briefly. Downloaded a couple of pdf's but I don't think it's really what I'm looking for.

Honestly I don't really think something like this has been done. Even skill-based magic systems are level-dependent in most respects.

 

[Henry]

Looked there briefly. Downloaded a couple of pdf's but I don't think it's really what I'm looking for.

Honestly I don't really think something like this has been done. Even skill-based magic systems are level-dependent in most respects.

True Sorcery has a "Spell Power" stat, but it is both CON and level based, and doesn't really affect your casting power so much as it affects your drain and casting time, and offers a temporary boost for "burning" them.

 

[EditorBFG]

Actually, I think the default d20 equivalent of "magical talent" is the relevant ability score (Charisma for spontaneous casters, etc.)

So it seems like the simplest mechanic would be a stat that replaces any spellcaster's ability score for their particular type of magic. "Talent" or "Potential", rated just like an ability score.

 

[GlassJaw]

Actually, I think the default d20 equivalent of "magical talent" is the relevant ability score (Charisma for spontaneous casters, etc.)

Yeah, I thought about that too. Seems obvious enough.

So it seems like the simplest mechanic would be a stat that replaces any spellcaster's ability score for their particular type of magic. "Talent" or "Potential", rated just like an ability score.

That only reason I could see doing this is if whatever new casting mechanic that used the associated spellcasting attribute too "powerful", since the attribute would apply to both casting and normal uses (skills from Int, etc).

That essentially how casting works now but I was thinking of ways to use the casting attribute like the Magic attribute is used in Shadowrun. In SR, your Magic rating determines how powerful or difficult to resist your spells are.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I can't say I like this idea, not if it's actually rules-based.

PCs shouldn't be excessively limited when it comes to advancement, IMO - an epic break, if you will, often occurs because the GM wants to end the campaign at such high levels, rather than some flavor-text explanation for why the PCs cannot continue to advance.

So for PCs, they have the ultimate magic stat, but must take time reaching their potential (if they ever go for it).

 

[Henry]

That essentially how casting works now but I was thinking of ways to use the casting attribute like the Magic attribute is used in Shadowrun. In SR, your Magic rating determines how powerful or difficult to resist your spells are.

And when you think about it as EditorBFG says, the ability stat does that too, indirectly.

Want to cast 9th level spells? Better have that 19 intelligence, which by the way makes your spells +4 harder to resist.

If you wanted such in a D&D game without changing mechanics too much, then the "Magic" trait should go from 0 to 9 (or 0 to 10) and that's the max level of spell you can cast. Save DC's are = 10 + Magic trait x 1.5 , which mimics the casting of spells with an ability of 20 or lower, only that's the Save DC for spells from 1 through 9...

 

[rgard]

Dragonquest (SPI and later TSR) had a stat called Magical Aptitude. I forget the actual use of the stat, but it may give you some ideas on how can apply it for what you want to do. You can google it and may find a free, downloadable version.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[rgard]

Barring a new stat, you could limit caster level to the prime stat. If you have a 20 int, your character is limited to 20th level Wizard. You'd have to take levels in something else until the Epic progression gives you another ability boost, at which point you'd be able to proceed to 21st caster level Wizard.

Just a thought.

Thanks,
Rich