D&D 5E Exclusive Spells?

[Zardnaar]

I'm a fan of the Midgard Setting. In the heroes handbook they have a lot of new spells. Most have a description in brackets such as dragon, void, leyline, etc. Most of these are feats, archetypes, domains for example. It specifically says what spells the DM allows is on them.

There's a cantrip for example on the Sorcerer list written like this.

Puff of Smoke (Dragon). Basically means only Dragon Sorcerers can cast it. DMs option to let other sorcerers use it (or even Dragon sorcerers).

There's also leyline feats. On spell is a 5d8 force damage lightning bolt. Didn't think to much of it but any Cleric or Druid with leylines feat can get it.

I kind of like this, not every cleric for example should get access to every cleric spell. By that I mean a god might grant exclusive spells to their clergy. Domains especially with new spells achieve this.

Feat based spells to me represent hidden knowledge. Not you don't get these spells for free you still have to aquire them normally for the most part. Some you can't get via level up you have to research them or find them.

Midgard is a specific setting though but I like this. Thoughts?

 

[jmartkdr2]

It's definitely a good way to make a setting or specific style of magic stand out.

The only counter I can think of is: why can't I re-fluff the spells to fit my specific style of magic? BUt if I can, then the styles aren't mechanically differentiated anymore (at least, not by spells.

I don't think that's a strong counterpoint (unless the flavors of the specific magics are weak) but it's a thing.

 

[Zardnaar]

It's definitely a good way to make a setting or specific style of magic stand out.

The only counter I can think of is: why can't I re-fluff the spells to fit my specific style of magic? BUt if I can, then the styles aren't mechanically differentiated anymore (at least, not by spells.

I don't think that's a strong counterpoint (unless the flavors of the specific magics are weak) but it's a thing.

Some more generic ones maybe but some are very specific. There's one that turns you into an Avatar for example.

 

[cbwjm]

I was actually thinking about something similar for different wizard traditions, it wouldn't require a feat though, rather it would be the background to your wizard schooling. A wizard from the elven tradition (note, I'm separating tradition from the arcane tradition used to describe the wizard subclass) might have spells that deal with animals and plants, whereas a human schooled in the tradition of the Sages of Latnam might have access to some additional divinations, whether or not they chose divination as their subclass. This would also extend to those subclasses that gain access to wizard spells such as the eldritch knight and arcane trickster.

I do think that having something like the leyline feat and spells as a kind of prestige spellcasting feature is a good idea. It helps create casters that are unique.

 

[Zardnaar]

I was actually thinking about something similar for different wizard traditions, it wouldn't require a feat though, rather it would be the background to your wizard schooling. A wizard from the elven tradition (note, I'm separating tradition from the arcane tradition used to describe the wizard subclass) might have spells that deal with animals and plants, whereas a human schooled in the tradition of the Sages of Latnam might have access to some additional divinations, whether or not they chose divination as their subclass. This would also extend to those subclasses that gain access to wizard spells such as the eldritch knight and arcane trickster.

I do think that having something like the leyline feat and spells as a kind of prestige spellcasting feature is a good idea. It helps create casters that are unique.

Midgard book has an Elven high mage and a list of high mage spells.

Generally you get the usual benefits of cheap scribing but they can also be exclusive.

Eg

 

[Chaosmancer]

It sounds like a good idea, I'm just... I guess I've been spoiled by 5e being kept small. But despite having gathered up a few different sourcebooks with different spells I've been hesitant to add them in, because I'm nervous about getting lost in the ever-expanding lists.

But, the idea of having thematic spells that Elven casters have their tradition and Dwarves have their's could be very fun.

 

[Zardnaar]

It sounds like a good idea, I'm just... I guess I've been spoiled by 5e being kept small. But despite having gathered up a few different sourcebooks with different spells I've been hesitant to add them in, because I'm nervous about getting lost in the ever-expanding lists.

But, the idea of having thematic spells that Elven casters have their tradition and Dwarves have their's could be very fun.

Yeah the Midgard Heroes Handbook is functionally a phb 2.

I think I'll restrict things mostly so I don't have to deal with all the new spells at once.

 

[Bupp]

I treat spells in the PHB as the "core spells". Those are the one on the you can choose when you level up, or are part of your cleric spell list.

Spells from other sources have to be researched, prayed for, or given as a reward or treasure.

 

[Zaukrie]

I've always felt there should be more limitations on which spellcaster could cast which spell. The last 3e game I ran did this, but not my 4e game. I've mostly played 5e, so no restrictions there even on the few times I've DMd.

 

[aco175]

I used to have a lot of non-core spells devoted to certain groups only. I have not used this too much in 5e, but PotA did this a bit with the water cult having a wave spell and ice knife. I think a few other spells belonged to other cults as well. I can see a lot of groups doing this until the spell gets out and they need to develop more, like an arms race. It also makes a good reward to get the cool spell after it was first used on you.