Introducing new Cleric/Druid spells: How?

[gariig]

I was wondering if anyone had a house rule for dealing with clerics getting new spells. It seems silly that everytime someone buys a new book EVERY cleric in the world suddenly gets access to it(imagine getting the pocket grimoire: divine like our groups Druid did). Some ideas I was thinking about were:

1. They just get every spell and get instant access to all new spells in splat books.

2. They are allowed so many new spells per level, say 2/level to emulate what a Wizard gets when they level.

3. Same as above but they could also research new spells by offerings/fasting/etc to their gods. Much like a Wizard's research capabilities.

4. Some other suggestion I haven't thought of.

Thanks,

Gariig

 

[The Serge]

First, I allow all WotC spells IMC, most of them unaltered (I have altered anti-magic field so that it extends five feet beyond any creature casting it). This way, as new WotC products come out, people know that they can use them without my go-ahead.

Now, all other sources require my okay. The next time I run a game, I will provide players with a list of sources and the spells allowed from each source. For example, I don't allow most spells from Relics and Rituals largely because I don't feel like keeping up with all of them and I remember thinking early on that most seemed unbalanced based upon their levels. However, I do allow sacrificial heart and bloodstorm. I treat weapons and magic items in the same fashion. Generally speaking, I will use anything from Malhavoc Press, but I'm more hesitant to be as open with Bastion Press (love there stuff, but it tends to be a little overpowered in my mind).

As for role-playing new spells... I just assume that the cleric simply wasn't aware of this kind of prayer/miracle, that the church doesn't sanction it, or that the god has revealed a new means to allow the cleric to pursue its goals. This sort of thing is handled in a case-by-case basis.

 

[the Jester]

I make them either research them or learn them from another caster or scroll. If they're learning the spell from a scroll or caster I also require a spellcraft check (just like for a wizard).

I also recommend that you review EVERY new spell before letting it into your campaign. Even wotc has published some stinkers (Miasma, f'rinstance).

 

[gariig]

I like Jester's idea. Also, I review all spells first before allowing them in. A few are pretty nasty, like the blindsight spell..give you blindsight 30' and it's a long duration (1 hour/level)!!

Any others?

Gariig

 

[Ferret]

New ways to harness nature, and the clerics gods gain an iddy biddy bit more powerful.

 

[Crothian]

IMC divine casters have access to all spells in the PHB. Other spells are given out as rewards for serving their diety.

 

[gariig]

Other spells are given out as rewards for serving their diety.

Randomly by you or at levels or both?

 

[Crothian]

Randomly by you or at levels or both?

It depends on his actions. So, if he spends the first five levels furthering the worship and causes of their diety he might gain access to many, many new spells. It's controled by the player. Anyone playing a dicvine caster will know what they can do to gain access to more spells. The new spells they get will depend on what action was performed. It might be picked by the player if he comes to me and says he wants access to a certain spell. It might depend on the action, some actions are known to specifically grant certain spells, or I may just pick one that fits whatever is done.

Nothing is really set in stone to allow for the system to be used in many ways depending on the playing style of different people.

 

[Destil]

Originally posted by the Jester I also recommend that you review EVERY new spell before letting it into your campaign. Even wotc has published some stinkers (Miasma, f'rinstance). [/B]

Always good advice for everything, from spells to Prestige Classes. There's plenty of stuff I wouldn't ever allow that I'll happily modify such that I will allow it. And since this usualy involvs trimming, I get to hear you explain what you like about it. (And of course, by extention, if you even care what it's about aside from the game rule beifits).

Anyway, I like Piratecat's rule: Substute each spell you want for a spell of equal or greater level. Asuming that all the PH spells are for their respective levels, and any spell you allow is balanced with reguards to the level you've choosen everything should be fine.

I think altering each deity's 'standard' spell list a bit like this could be a nice way to customise them, too. Though it could be way to much work to do every deity, doing every one a PC wants to play a cleric of shouldn't typicaly be too hard. And most NPCs you can basicly give whatever you want, unless the're reoccuring it won't matter much [the're only there for one encounter].