KoK: Scalable Spells Question

[WizarDru]

Originally posted over in the rules forum...but no one said anything, so I thought I'd ask here:


While reading through the Kingdoms of Kalamar Player's guide (an excellent book, IMHO), I came across the scalable spells.

If I understand them correctly, these are effectively spells that, once know, can be swapped in without being memorized, to use an existing spell slot to affect a spell just cast, or reference another spell, or something similar. Said spell can be 'scaled' to any level, with appropriate effects. Example: the spell a moment ago allows the caster to recast a spell he just cast (hence the name) with a selectable level...so if I cast fireball as a 3rd level spell last round, I use a moment ago to cast it as a 6th-level spell this round, using a 7th-level slot to do so (the cost of the spell). I think.

I have a couple of concerns with this otherwise very entertaining concept, and would like some feedback on it.


First, this seems to undermine the Sorceror class a bit, doesn't it? I realize the wizard still has to memorize a core list of spells, but it gives him a lot of the sorceror's flexibility but he retains his large spell list.

Second, this sounds more like metamagic feats that are masquerading as spells, except that they mostly favor arcane casters. I guess this is offset by the optional alternate uses for turning abilities, also in the KoKG.

Have I misread the descriptions of the spells, or is there more at work here. I really like the concept, but it seems like it needs some further limitations.

Thoughts?

 

[Gez]

Semi-OT

WizarDru, if you think wizards have it better than sorcerers with these new rules, you can offset that by looking at prestige classes like Mage of the Arcane Order (T&B) or Guild-Wizard of Waterdeep (MoF). Or peruse the feat or class I'm talking about in the House Rules thread How to include a bit of wizardry in the sorcerer (and bard).

 

[WizarDru]

Semi-OT

WizarDru, if you think wizards have it better than sorcerers with these new rules, you can offset that by looking at prestige classes like Mage of the Arcane Order (T&B) or Guild-Wizard of Waterdeep (MoF). Or peruse the feat or class I'm talking about in the House Rules thread How to include a bit of wizardry in the sorcerer (and bard).

Well, I don't use FR prestige classes, and while I think Mage of the Arcane Order is a little to free with the abilities, it has a cost and a requirement for use. I'm not as concerned with a prestige class that the character has to burn a feat and some other requirements for, as I am for an ability that any level wizard could use.

My main concern is that, if I'm understanding the scalable spells, they take up no slots, but can be summoned at any time, and replace an existing spell. This seems awfully powerful, and I'm trying to see if there's a single reason every wizard wouldn't always take this spell over another. If there isn't a downside to it, it sounds too powerful. So I'm assuming I'm missing something.

 

[kenjib]

According to Kenzer Co. wizards still need to prepare the spell at the level they want to cast it at later. They can't spontaneously set the level of the spell - only sorcerers can do that.

http://pub49.ezboard.com/fkingdomsofkalamarfrm2.showMessage?topicID=500.topic

That should alleviate your concerns. In fact, these spells are more of an advantage for sorcerers since it only takes up one of their spells known slots but they can cast it at many different levels. So with summon fey, for example, sorcerers don't get stuck with the old summon monster I-X obsolesence problem.

I agree that the explanation was a bit confusing.

 

[Noah Kolman]

Scalable Spells

Hey everyone,

What Kenjib said is correct. The description is a little confusing, but a wizard still has to prepare a scalable spell. The benefit is that once they know the spell, they can prepare it at any level.