Looking for a point based spell systems

[BluWolf]

After a three year hiatus it looks like I might be returning to play in the next few months. In the mean time I am revising my D20 D&D campaign to take into consideration the new material that has been developed while I was gone.

One of the things I am cosnidering is finally giving up on the standard Magic system and adopting a point based system.

I would like a suggestion as to well thought out resources on point based magic systems?

I bought Unearthed Arcana but it seems to only treat the subject in passing.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sado]

Check Community 3E under Optional Rules.

 

[RangerWickett]

I suggest you take a look at Elements of Magic: Revised, available at Drive Thru RPG and RPGNow. The system lets you choose the types of magic your character learns, and to make spells on the fly. If you're interested, I could send you a sample of the book, point you at reviews, and point out Genshou's "Pledge of Tyranny" storyhour.

If you just want to use core rules spells, yes, UA has a spell-point system, as well as a kinda funky system where you can cast spells an unlimited number of times per day.

I'm sure there are other ones out there too -- I hear the True20 magic system is nice, but I haven't looked at it yet.

 

[Wormwood]

You may want to re-consider the Unearthed Arcana spell point system. I used it in a past game and it worked fine.

 

[Cheiromancer]

SteveC's Token Wizard still has a few bugs to be worked out (see the thread) but it is, imho, an improvement over UA. Which, as Wormwood says, works fine. So I think SteveC's is pretty good.

I'm curious about EoMR, but I haven't bought it yet.

 

[DonTadow]

I suggest you take a look at Elements of Magic: Revised, available at Drive Thru RPG and RPGNow. The system lets you choose the types of magic your character learns, and to make spells on the fly. If you're interested, I could send you a sample of the book, point you at reviews, and point out Genshou's "Pledge of Tyranny" storyhour.

If you just want to use core rules spells, yes, UA has a spell-point system, as well as a kinda funky system where you can cast spells an unlimited number of times per day.

I'm sure there are other ones out there too -- I hear the True20 magic system is nice, but I haven't looked at it yet.

I'd have to second the elements of magic system. It is easy to learn but complex to master. My players all love it and I've found it very useful. especially knowing i can create spells to define my villians.

 

[fusangite]

Old BRP Runequest (especially 3rd edition) had an excellent point-based magic system that can be easily grafted onto D20.

 

[Welverin]

Get yourself a copy of the Expanded Psionics Handbook, file off the serial numbers* and away you go!

You could also just use the info in the SRD. If you read everything over and understand how it works it's easy enough to use the spells from the PH, e.g. you cna't allow spells to automatically raise in power with caster level.

*i.e. change the names

 

[SteveC]

SteveC's Token Wizard still has a few bugs to be worked out (see the thread) but it is, imho, an improvement over UA. Which, as Wormwood says, works fine. So I think SteveC's is pretty good.

I'm curious about EoMR, but I haven't bought it yet.

A plug in open! DUDE! Although I've posted the rules for wizards in my new token system, I have similar ones for sorcerers and clerics as well, which will be coming soon...as soon as a few more bugs can be ironed out with the core system, anyway. Check out the thread above and let me know what you think.

Now, to be helpful for the original poster: when you say a "point based spell system" the important question is: what do you really want it to do?

For a spell point version of standard D&D magic, the rules in Unearthed Arcaha are decent and will work. I know this because I ran a campaign with them that went up to about 10th level with absolutely no issues with them at all.

If you're looking for spell point rules that let you construct spells and break out of the normal D&D spell list, I think the suggestion for Elements of Magic Revised is a good one. Other good options would be the Black Company supplement from Green Ronin, and, from what I've read so far, Iron Heroes from Mike Mearls. The Advanced Players Guide from Sword and Sorcery has a spell point system in it as well, as I remember it, which is not too bad either.

A little more information on what you're looking for might get you a more targeted response.

--Steve

 

[Particle_Man]

"Legends of Excalibur" by RPGObjects has a point-based system where, the higher your caster level, the less points it takes to cast a spell of a given level. So a 5 level caster uses up more points than a 9th level caster when casting fireball. There is an option for casting spells above your level, but it costs a boat load of points and leaves you fatigued (or exhausted, I can't remember which).

"Iron Heroes" (which comes out within a week) has a "construct your magic" spell point system, but it relies upon mastery levels in various schools of magic and requires a check to see if the spell suceeds.