Idea for DC Based Arcane Casting

[Mishihari Lord]

I like the idea. In fact this is roughly how casting works in my homebrew system. However once you take out Vancian casting, an RPG moves to the "not D&D" side of the world for me. So I wouldn't make this the base system, but as a system for an optional class it could work.

 

[RangerWickett]

Have you checked out Elements of Magic - Mythic Earth - EN Publishing | D&D 3.5 / OGL / d20 | RPGNow.com

 

[Elf Witch]

These are some interesting ideas. I would like something like this for a more gritty style non DnD campaign.

I have a question do the other classes face any kind of penalty for rolling say a 1?

If magic can go awry then it would make sense that shooting an arrow or swinging a weapon could mess up as well.

 

[Greensnakedrex]

Sure, I'd have wild effects for a spell 'fumble' for non wizard characters. I think effects should scale as the DC for the spell goes up. I think those types of effects can be great tools for DMs to balance or add flavor.

 

[BobTheNob]

I do like this approach. I especially like the way that DCC has you lose the spell if you fail (thus complying with the old school reason for re-memorizing spells at end of day) and more dire consequence for a colossal failure, with a particular LOVE of permanent cosmetic mutation (oops, just grew a tail!).

For what its worth, there is alot of potential here.