D&D General instead of using spells slots ...

[le Redoutable]

... why doesn't one use mana points to memorize spells ( please note that you don't cast your spells à la volée )

 

[Thunderfoot]

That has been a great debate for years. Personally I hate the 'mana' idea. (hence the debate). Spell systems have long garnered us vs them mentality. (which is a little too intense for my tastes) but Vancian vs point has been around since late 1e. There is no correct answer just...because. 4e did away the system entirely and for once the point vs Vancian ganged up and went all bat s*#$ crazy, but then went back to sling mud after 5e dropped.. C'est la guere.

 

[jmartkdr2]

A simple spell points system tends to favor just casting your best spells a few times then resting. It's nearly always better to cast 2 fireballs and stop, rather than cast 10 magic missiles.

There are ways around this, but they involve either putting additional limits on high-level spells (essentially re-creating spell slots) or restructuring the entire game experience around a new concept of 'resting to regain spells.'

Or just accepting that 5-minute-workdays are optimal (and trying to fix other classes to keep up or letting full casters dominate.)

.

 

[le Redoutable]

but you can't spend half of your time resting, because events might occur while you rest
( like in Baldur's Gate II )

 

[cavetroll]

... why doesn't one use mana points to memorize spells ( please note that you don't cast your spells à la volée )

One of the issues I have with that is you could just cast your highest damaging spell over and over. In 2e you would certainly pick a bunch of damaging spells (fireball x3 please) but you had to balance it with important utility spells (fly, haste etc).

 

[DND_Reborn]

We've long used various spell point systems for 5E and they work fine but with a couple caveats:

1. We reduced spell points so you can't cast as much as you would with spell slots.
2. Rests are by no means guaranteed so happen, so casters are more conservative with their spells.

IMO it works fine if it is a style that appeals to you, but it has to fit your style of DMing as well as playing or it can be prone to abuse as others have mentioned.

 

[Rogerd1]

I would want power points to be more akin to fantasy heroes, so they can cast far more than with spell slots.

 

[le Redoutable]

ok for fireballs, but I hope that your uses of Magic-Users don't consist exclusively of Evocation/Invocations ?
( or else speak of Elementalists à la Dragon Ball )

 

[Neonchameleon]

... why doesn't one use mana points to memorize spells ( please note that you don't cast your spells à la volée )

Spam spam spam spam, spammety spam!

Seriously that's what happens with mana point systems - you have players work out the best spells and just cast whatever those best spells are repeatedly. The 5e spell level approach means that instead of having a couple of best spells you have a couple of best spells for each level so you have a much wider range of spells actually cast, and with minimal tracking.

 

[aco175]

I do like being able to uplevel spells, even though I find it is not worth the reward. I remember when you picked spells and that was all you got. There was no list of 4-5 spells to pick from to use your 2 slots, it was just pick A and B and find a way to cast them today. 3e was good with spontaneous healing burn.