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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Laurefindel" data-source="post: 9484778" data-attributes="member: 67296">Let see. Vancian Magic is built on three principles:1) Magic is finite - a wizard can "run out of magic".On that regard we could argue that D&D isn't Vancian anymore with at-will cantrip, but for the most part spells are still counted. This I would try to preserve, either through a system of "Mana Points" or pool of magic to draw from somehow, because the alternatives are either completely unbalanced or too reliant on situational and circumstantial elements  (like casting at full moon or something) to fit well in a D&D game. (This is in the D&D subforum so I assume we're talking about D&D).2) Magic is performed by casting spells.Againg on that regard, D&D has many ways to perform magic that isn't spellcasting, but spellcasting nevertheless relies mainly on spells. A spell in the Vancian definition is a packaged effect - you can't downcast your fireball to light your cigarette, or make a line of fire instead. Personally, I like spells. I prefer them to free-form magic which is hard to balance and takes a lot of mental room at the table.3) spells take too long to cast. A wizard « memorizes » spells that are then ready to cast, like bullets in a loaded gun.This is the big one that makes Vancian what it is. Again we can argue that D&D has moved away from that already, but we still have spell slots of undefined spells. Typically when people say « Vancian », they usually mean « undefined spell slots ». As annoying as they are, they are a powerful tool and they’re hard to replace.I wouldn’t mind a spell point system. The question already is at what rate it refreshes.</blockquote>

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