D&D 5E Free Upcasting By Tier: A House-Rule

[DND_Reborn]

A house-rule I am considering is to allow free upcasting by tier, so when you reach a new tier, spells are automatically upcast using the normal slot.

Example #1: Cure Wounds

• Cure Wounds heals 1d8+WIS mod as a 1st-level spell when you cast it in tier 1.
• At 5th level (tier 2), your Cure Wounds improves to 2d8+WIS mod as if it was using a 2nd-level slot. You still use a 1st-level slot, however.
• When you reach 11th level (tier 3), your Cure Wounds increases to 3d8+WIS mod (as if a 3rd-level slot) even though you still use a 1st-level slot.
• Finally, when you reach 17th level (tier 4), it becomes 4d8+WIS mod while still using a 1st-level slot.

Example #2: Fireball

• Fireball is 8d6 in tier 2.
• Increases to 9d6 in tier 3.
• Finally 10d6 in tier 4.

Although you are still using the same 3rd-level spell slot in each tier.

Now, you can still "upcast" and actually use a higher level slot, so in the above example a 5th-level slot for Cure Wounds (instead of the default 1st-level slot) would add another 4d8 healing, for a total of 8d8+WIS mod in tier 4.

This idea mimics the concept of a casting becoming naturally better with the spells as they advance in level, without having to use higher-level spell slots.

 

[Stalker0]

I think as a blanket rule it’s too much. 5e is designed to rein this kind of quadratic scaling for good reason.

Now as like a keyword you apply to certain spells that you think need a boost, I think it’s a solid idea.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Now as like a keyword you apply to certain spells that you think need a boost, I think it’s a solid idea.

Maybe as a feature for a select few spells, like Signature Spells, etc. but at lower level?

 

[Stalker0]

Maybe as a feature for a select few spells, like Signature Spells, etc. but at lower level?

Possibly. It always comes down to the spell. Player picks the right spell and suddenly you regret your life decisions

That’s why I think the best approach is for you to pick spells you think this would be appropriate on and allow that as a house rule, rather than giving players cart blanc choices

 

[DND_Reborn]

Possibly. It always comes down to the spell. Player picks the right spell and suddenly you regret your life decisions

Since it only works on spells that can be upcast any way, I can't think of any that this rule would make me regret my life decisions!

 

[Krachek]

A shy return of the quadratic spell caster!

 

[DND_Reborn]

A shy return of the quadratic spell caster!

Yes, YES, YES!!! MHAWHAHAHAHA!!!

(rubs hands together wickedly)

 

[Krachek]

Yes, YES, YES!!! MHAWHAHAHAHA!!!

(rubs hands together wickedly)

Buff Upcasting, buff concentration,
full casters need help that much?

 

[DND_Reborn]

Buff Upcasting, buff concentration,
full casters need help that much?

Yes, yes the do. I like my wizards of the olden days.

A shy return of the quadratic spell caster!

Yeah, this was never an issue IME... So, all the nerfs on casters seems unnecessary.

FWIW, I doubt I'll ever implement this ideas, I'm just throwing them out for discussion.

 

[tetrasodium]

It might work with the levelup spells where I'm not sure it's needed. The dnd5e spells in wotc's books however are subject to this kind of "intentionally overtuned" design and it would just cause just as many if not more issues that it would solve.