Empath Negative
First Post
or at least redefine what a cantrip is...
Rather than making them zero level spells why not make them the foundation of an arcane spellcasters learning.
In other words... they're not zero level spells... they're .5 level spells, 1.5 level spells and so forth.
Cantrips bridge the gap between magic levels, though they are rudimentry compared to the specialization of Fireball, Charm Person, and Dimension Door they are practiced frequently enough that the caster may use a cantrip on a successful spellcraft check.
For example, Mialee has learned the .5 Level Cantrip "Sympathy", the foundation of the first level spell "Charm Person" (just go with it). As a standard action Mialee may cast Sympathy on any humanoid within ten feet, causing that creature to feel concern for the casters well being, or at least more than they otherwise would, for three rounds. This has the effect of causing the subject to find other targets to attack, or provide the caster with a favorable outcome while socializing. However, due to its short duration, Sympathy is unsuited for schemes and endeavors that are intricate or would have immediate consequences once the subject of the spell reverts to its former level of helpfulness.
In other to use this Cantrip the caster must overcome a Spellcraft DC of 11.
As the caster leveled up these Cantrips could be replaced by more potent cantrips. Advanced Sympathy could be used on monsters to the same effect, would have a more difficult Spellcraft DC to overcome, but could be used against any monster. The caster would lose access to baseline Sympathy.
This means that each level would provide the Wizard with a possible selection of cantrips to study and master. This adds a great deal of new depth. Further, it would be possible to make sorcerers the purveyors of cantrips...
and because each usage requires a Spellcraft check it is not endless casting without possible failure.
Rather than making them zero level spells why not make them the foundation of an arcane spellcasters learning.
In other words... they're not zero level spells... they're .5 level spells, 1.5 level spells and so forth.
Cantrips bridge the gap between magic levels, though they are rudimentry compared to the specialization of Fireball, Charm Person, and Dimension Door they are practiced frequently enough that the caster may use a cantrip on a successful spellcraft check.
For example, Mialee has learned the .5 Level Cantrip "Sympathy", the foundation of the first level spell "Charm Person" (just go with it). As a standard action Mialee may cast Sympathy on any humanoid within ten feet, causing that creature to feel concern for the casters well being, or at least more than they otherwise would, for three rounds. This has the effect of causing the subject to find other targets to attack, or provide the caster with a favorable outcome while socializing. However, due to its short duration, Sympathy is unsuited for schemes and endeavors that are intricate or would have immediate consequences once the subject of the spell reverts to its former level of helpfulness.
In other to use this Cantrip the caster must overcome a Spellcraft DC of 11.
As the caster leveled up these Cantrips could be replaced by more potent cantrips. Advanced Sympathy could be used on monsters to the same effect, would have a more difficult Spellcraft DC to overcome, but could be used against any monster. The caster would lose access to baseline Sympathy.
This means that each level would provide the Wizard with a possible selection of cantrips to study and master. This adds a great deal of new depth. Further, it would be possible to make sorcerers the purveyors of cantrips...
and because each usage requires a Spellcraft check it is not endless casting without possible failure.