Giving Clerics Known Spells?

[Ogrork the Mighty]

After reading the Archivist class (from Heroes of Horror) referenced in another thread, it got me thinking...

What's wrong with limiting the base number of spells a cleric starts out with? They could learn new cleric spells, either by finding them or by receiving them (maybe as rewards?) from their gods.

This might address the problems with clerics having access to huge numbers of spells, whereas wizards/sorcerers must pick and choose here and there.

Thoughts?

 

[Vanye]

What's wrong with limiting the base number of spells a cleric starts out with? They could learn new cleric spells, either by finding them or by receiving them (maybe as rewards?) from their gods.

I am doing this now. In my current campaign, divine casters get whatever spells are on their base list (From the PH, or whatever booktheyr'e from), then every level they get to add two spells to their repertoire, like a wizard.

It allows them their greater spell versatility that they already have, without allowing them to have yet another advantage over wizards.

 

[Cheiromancer]

I know a common house rule is that if a cleric gets access to a spell from a splatbook, they have to give up access to a spell they already know. In other words, the number of spells they know is the same as a core-book only cleric.

Would this address your concern about the huge number of spells clerics can have access to?

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Would this address your concern about the huge number of spells clerics can have access to?

That's what we do now. Problem is, the PH cleric list covers a lot of territory and a lot of spells to be potentially swapped out. It also requires a lot of bookkeeping to remember what spells were swapped out for what.

 

[iwatt]

I've been thinking of culling the Cleric List of spells to the bare basics, and then adding the all the Domains the deity grants access to as additional spells. As a compromise, they gain full spontaneous casting in the base list as well as theier two chosen domains.

The problem is what to consider as a basic and what not.

 

[chaotix42]

I merely ask what the cleric is preparing for the day. He has free access to the PHB spells, and any other spell that would fit his beliefs/faith. He sticks to what he knows is allowed, and if he wants to stray from the "OK" list it has to be approved, often on the spot. It's just like asking your God/Faith for spells IRL, though I'm loathe to make a connection between DMing and divinity.

 

[AntiStateQuixote]

IMC (now on hiatus), divine casters know all spells from the PHB and any domain(s) they choose that is(are) not in the PHB. Clerics must research (per DMG rules) or find (on scroll, from a teacher, etc.) any additional spells from splat books to add to their spell list.

 

[Ellie_the_Elf]

I allow all PHB stuff which doesn't contradict the character's alignment and two non-PHB spells per spell level. Anything else must be requested from the cleric's deity using a ritual which requires components costing. conveniently enough, the same amount it would cost a wizard to buy an equivalent scroll and scribe it into his spellbook. The cleric may choose that spell anytime when preparing spells following the ritual.

I experimented with using the PHB spells as a base, and allowing swapping out, but one player completely abused it and took all kinds of strange splatbook spells and virtually nothing that was actually of use

 

[the Jester]

I pared the spell lists down to a select few when I was running my low-magic experimental campaign a few months back. It was a very interesting way to restrict spellcasters. (On the other hand, the priest class I used had spontaneous casting and access to all the spells on their list.)

Anyway, I've been thinking that making a list of 20 spells of each level for each deity might be a really good way to go. Yes, it's a lot of work; but the payoff might just be worth it. I too feel that unfettered access to 60 or so spells of each level gives clerics and druids a serious edge (I limit their access in my campaign to those spells that they have encountered or researched).

 

[Remathilis]

I am doing this now. In my current campaign, divine casters get whatever spells are on their base list (From the PH, or whatever booktheyr'e from), then every level they get to add two spells to their repertoire, like a wizard.

It allows them their greater spell versatility that they already have, without allowing them to have yet another advantage over wizards.

I do the same thing, but I only grant one spell/level. However, if they find a new spell (on a scroll, etc) they can learn it spellcraft 15 + SL.