Martial characters and rituals

[Falling Icicle]

I guess you never allowed multi-classing in 2E or 3E then?

I said that I would have no problem with people getting rituals if they multiclassed into a spellcasting class.

 

[Victim]

It seems to me that ritual casting for martial characters covers a lot of the "X, but knows some magic." Grey Mouser, for instance, seems most like a rogue with rituals providing his seldom used magical ability. Similarly, Vlad Taltos seems much the same way, with rituals backing up mundane skills.

 

[Irda Ranger]

I said that I would have no problem with people getting rituals if they multiclassed into a spellcasting class.

Yes, but it doesn't take them years of study to do so, does it? Kill a couple Ogres and multi-class away; that's what the rules say.

 

[Falling Icicle]

Yes, but it doesn't take them years of study to do so, does it? Kill a couple Ogres and multi-class away; that's what the rules say.

The rules didn't always match the fluff, especially in regards to multiclassing. It is generally assumed that your character has spent years in preparation before he even starts adventuring at level 1. Wizardy was considered to be particularly demanding, which is why they had the highest starting age. Of course, requiring years of downtime to multiclass wouldn't be very fun, so I don't blame them for handwaving that. The only point I was trying to make by bringing that up is that rituals should be difficult to learn, at least more difficult than "I take one skill and one feat," IMHO.

 

[AtomicPope]

Hmm, this brings up some interesting points.

I like the idea of rituals being performed without spellcasting abilities. It's a classic trope of old epic poems that artisans and smiths of great talent could craft magical implements.

I think even if DnD doesn't allow it (which I doubt but still) I will. I'm reckless like that

 

[Mishihari Lord]

I like the idea of prayer, meditation, or katas giving a long-term buff.

 

[DreamChaser]

The rules didn't always match the fluff, especially in regards to multiclassing. It is generally assumed that your character has spent years in preparation before he even starts adventuring at level 1. Wizardy was considered to be particularly demanding, which is why they had the highest starting age. Of course, requiring years of downtime to multiclass wouldn't be very fun, so I don't blame them for handwaving that. The only point I was trying to make by bringing that up is that rituals should be difficult to learn, at least more difficult than "I take one skill and one feat," IMHO.

Then change the fluff of the feats to match your view. If you want it to be harder than "take a couple feats" in the game world make these feats require time, effort, chutzpa, or whatever else to learn.

As you say, the fluff doesn't always match the rules.

DC

 

[DreamChaser]

With rituals, I like the idea that the power is in the words and components rather than the caster. There is a feel of invoking ancient powers that shaped the world versus "preparing raise dead"

DC

 

[Shroomy]

I don't really mind that martial characters would have access to ritual casting, but I would like the mechanics to be based on one of the mental stats (how effective, how many you can know, etc.).

 

[ThirdWizard]

The only point I was trying to make by bringing that up is that rituals should be difficult to learn, at least more difficult than "I take one skill and one feat," IMHO.

That pretty much describes multiclassing into a wizard in 4e, though. "Take a feat, now you're a wizard, too." "Take a feat, now you're a clierc, too." And thus "Take a feat, now you can do rituals, too."