Mana point idea

[evildmguy]

Greetings!

As I was looking at the Psionic handbook recently, I suddenly realized something.

Psions are psionic Sorcerers.

Then I realized something else very cool. If a DM used the Psionic system as a mana point system for sorcerers, it would have a built in mana duel system!

Doesn't this make more sense for a magic system?

This system would allow:
1) Spells cast via mana points
2) Passive use of magic (should be different than what the psionic feats do)
3) Arcane duels based on mana usage

For sorcerers, this works great. For wizards, then, all we have to do is this.

1) They don't gain mana points.
2) They do gain attacks and defense modes at various levels.
3) Write a conversion for attacks and defenses for an equal spell slot cost that can be used freely by the wizard for attack or defense. This might include sacrificing one slot for multple attacks/defenses depending on the mana point cost.

Suddenly, we have a big difference between sorcerer and wizards (especially if the DM uses the Monte Cook version of sorcerer) using everything the same except for mana points!

Neat stuff with this. If Sorcerers had more mana points than wizards due to using spells per day, then they would be better, at an equal level, at attack and defense. It still gives wizards greater flexibility by being able to learn anything. (imo, Sorcerers shouldn't get to take Item Creation feats, but that's me.) Of course, it could be that mana points are made equal, with the flexibility of being able to cast more high level spells.

It also allows a DM to do so much with it. I mean, imagine sorcerers using magic to run faster or other effects of mana via feats? (I suggest converting the Psionic feats' names to have a more magic flavored feat. For example, Speed of Thought would be Speed of Mystra (for FR) or Speed of Magic.) That would just give a cool "flavor" to sorcerers without changing much. (We might have to add bonus feats to Sorcerers so they can select the new feats, same as a Psion.)

That is a strength of d20! To be able to get a different feel to a character just by changing one aspect of the class features.

What do people think of this?

edg

Sorry if someone has posted this. Haven't been able to keep up with everything!

 

[DreamChaser]

I don't think it is a good idea to disolve the barriers between arcane magic and psionics. The psions would become totally outclassed because their powers do not (for the most part) scale while arcane spells do (and I have seen zillions of ideas--IOW arguments--on "great" ways to add scaling into psionic powers by increase power point cost and stuff, but it has never impressed me that it could be balanced.

PLUS, I don't like the idea of attack and defense modes for psions, I don't think they should be extended to sorcerers too. They create an inherently exclusive combat situation, where two psions stare at each other and everyone else is left picking their nose.

Just my thoughts.
-DC

 

[evildmguy]

Not sure about that . . .

DC:Thanks for the reply!

A couple of things that I did forget to post and mention.

"If Thoughts Could Kill" by Bruce Cordell, converted magic spells to psionic abilites. I did assume this would be used and didn't mention that. Essentially, no spells scale now based on level. The caster must pay for the greater effects. So, Magic Missile costs 1 point plus 1 point per additional missile. (That makes it cost as much as a base level fireball for five missiles!) All spells do this.

I don't remember if you can pump them up before you would normally be able to, based on levels. I personally wouldn't have a problem with that but that is me. I think it would be neat that the 6th level sorcerer could cast a 9d6 fireball just by paying more points. The wizard can't do that but things scale for her. Also, the sorcerer will merely run out of points that much faster.

There were more points to address these items as well. I don't remember them right now. In general, I thought it was well "balanced" and well thought out.

I personally like the idea of a mage duel operating this way. I think the rules presented in Magic of Faerun for a mage duel were hinky. I think it was a fix placed on top of a system that won't support it. Again, that's me.

I also like the thought of being able to introduce temporary attribute damage based on spell casting or spell duels. What better to show that a person has taxed themselves than the fact that they lost the ability to cast their highest level spells for a couple days until they recover? (Similar to CoC but I wouldn't be as drastic as DND does assume more magic than CoC does.)

For example, I don't like that spells cost XP to cast. I also don't like that items take XP to cast. (I just can't come up with a real world example where creating something caused me to LOSE knowledge or experience.) So, what if spells that cost XP instead did temporary attribute damage? Doesn't that make more sense? This would show that the spell drained the caster of their energy or mental abilities. (I didn't want to say "strength" and get confused with the attribute of the same name.)

I wouldn't mind suggesting a mechanic for that now but I don't know what most spells cost for XP. Also, it might be on a case by case basis. For example, Resurrection spells (any of them) should cost temporary damage, imo, even if they have no XP cost. Say, one point of attribute damage per level of the character raised. (The caster can divide it as she wishes between her stats.) As a basis for those who have their books, how about this? 3 points temporary attribute damage plus 1 per 500 xp (round down) cost of the spell. Does that work?

Wow! I really like this! Think about the affects of this. Before, wishes and True Resurrections could be cast freely up to the xp loss. In some cases, that could be a lot of castings! Now, after one casting, the caster has to rest due to fatigue and general damage at casting the spell.

And, this can be equally applied to any caster and it makes sense. It didn't make sense to me that sorcerers would lose xp for doing what they always did! (Of course, I use Monte's version and they don't have as many xp cost spells as they did.)

As for staring, remember, all things are equal now. If two mages, or psions, are staring at each other in a duel, the fighter still gets to move up and swing at his enemy. That would be quite the distraction!

Thanks!

edg