Exclusive spells: Yea or nay?

[Twowolves]

I think that making some spells "exclusive" for specialist wizards or campaign themed PrCs would be fine. Modify Memory fits as a bard spell, but specialist enchanters or Mindbenders would fit the spell concept just fine. Likewise, most of the WuJen spells would fit an "elementalist" PrC just fine.

It seemed in earlier rulesets that even though all these spells existed, not every wizard could just pick and choose which ones to get and just bebop on down to the magic shop and pick them up. Thus, individual spell selection created a big varience in the style and feel of different casters. I guess what I'm trying to say is that in a campaign like this, all the spells could be made just wizard spell (non-exclusive), but their availability would be so limited that gaining access to them would be a major goal for a PC, and therefore "exclusive" to the cult/guild/PrC that has controlled access to them.

Twowolves Howling

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

I like exclusive spells as a concept. Shillelagh is only a druid spell. Rary's Mnemonic Enhancer is only a wizard spell. In the Player's Guide to Arcanis, Hold the Spirit and glimpse of the cauldron are only Beltinian spells. Having certain spellcasters have spells that are not available to anyone else can build flavor.

On the other hand, I'm not impressed with the way a lot of the Complete Arcane spells are exclusive. What's so Wu Jen about giant size that wizards shouldn't be able to learn it? It doesn't seem very far removed in concept from enlarge person.

 

[Starglim]

The point of giving unique spells to a class (or unique across the arcane/divine division) is to give the class a unique ability to affect the game. The spell should do something unusual and fit with a major theme of the class.

Giving a class rare spells (castable by other classes, but not available to them by the standard spell-gaining mechanics, only by learning from the favoured class) is another possible benefit. Rare spells can be used as significant rewards or sources of adventure. It's a concept that has further potential even from the core rules, I feel.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

A *few* unique spells per class is cool. More than that becomes a lot of bookkeeping for the DM to have to remember or reference when the PC dusts off that odd little number you wrote two years before.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I have no problem with "unique" (as defined in this thread) spells.

The way I see it, the Wu-Jen think about spells in a completely different way than their "Western" counterparts.

As differently as Preservers and Defilers. Or Elementalists. Or a PC who uses Rune or Gemstone magic. Etc.

If you (as a mage) aren't thinking in the proper frame of mind, then you can't use the spells unique to that spellcasting class.

After all, the Wu-Jen doesn't have access to the full Wizard list, either.

In fact, were I running a D&D campaign at this time, I'd do away with the generalist Wizard and make everyone who wanted to play a wizard play a specialist mage.

 

[zoroaster100]

I'd like to see WOTC move to one spell list for all spell casting classes. I think flavor could be done with specialized casters that are better at casting certain spells, and which maybe can cast certain spells at a lower level than others. Maybe an unusual class would have access to a handful of unusual spells unknown to others. But for the most part, I like the idea of wizards being able to research spells that can accomplish pretty much anything, so any spell that is possible would sooner or later end up on the wizard spell list.

 

[apesamongus]

On the other hand, I'm not impressed with the way a lot of the Complete Arcane spells are exclusive. What's so Wu Jen about giant size that wizards shouldn't be able to learn it? It doesn't seem very far removed in concept from enlarge person.

That's my feeling on it. If there are going to be different spell lists, then make them have a reason. And not just style either. A specialist area damage caster makes sense. A specialist caster who's magic looks like traditional asian stuff is stupid - just use spell thematics.

 

[Bront]

For my campaign I would let the wizard have access to a Wu-Jen spell if he researched it.

I didn't like the idea of having arcane spells exist if a wizard had no access to them at all.

Spells are different levels also for different spell casters for balance reasons as well.

There are several Bard spells not available to the Wizard, and a few that are available to the Bard sooner. (Thanks to Hyper for pointing this out already)

That doesn't mean that letting a player research a spell is a bad thing, but make sure that it fits in the campaign, balance, and the level is appropriate (I would suggest raising the level by 1 for spells not on the list normaly). However, where does it end? Why can't a wizard cast Heal or Resurection if he can cast Wu Jen spells? It's a slippery slope.

 

[Bront]

I'd like to see WOTC move to one spell list for all spell casting classes. I think flavor could be done with specialized casters that are better at casting certain spells, and which maybe can cast certain spells at a lower level than others. Maybe an unusual class would have access to a handful of unusual spells unknown to others. But for the most part, I like the idea of wizards being able to research spells that can accomplish pretty much anything, so any spell that is possible would sooner or later end up on the wizard spell list.

What about Clerics?

You're always going to have at least 2 different lists. Otherwise, why would you ever be a Wizard over a Cleric? (Same spell progression, wear armor, better BAB and HD, Turn, automaticly knows every spell, etc). I don't see a problem with a bit of flavor in the classes. Besides, this is only a big issue if you use many of the additional base classes along side the regular classes.

 

[Felikeries]

The multi faceted integrity of RPG spell casting is kept that way by
Class variance,with need for healing,power,defense, etc making a party work
together etc

So as to address the one list idea a GM might take a campaign and section
together 'lawfull' and 'chaotic' or 'good' and 'evil' spells,for players who yet to be
declared that now find themselves one or the other,effecting the whole quest