Spell points instantly solve the problem of low-slot spell bloat. (The cost of a spell is its slot. So, a slot 3 Fireball costs 3 points to cast.) Done.
The ideal number of prepared spells is less obvious and depends on design goals. Here to minimize the number of prep spells but to avoid pain, is a goal. Currently the edition 2024 classes have about four prepared spells at level 1, and about twelve by level 8. Additionally cantrips advance from about two to about four. This range of levels is what most gamers experience, and the number of preps seems deemed sufficient. However, even these numbers of preps suffer from low-slot bloat to supply spells for the bloat of low slots. When switching to spell points, there is no need to have low-slots spells anymore, unless there is a particular low-slot spell that one wants, such as Shield. The absence of low-slot prepared spells means fewer need to be prepared.
Tentatively, the following table represents the essence of full caster advancement levels. It uses spell points that refresh per short rest, thus balance better with noncaster classes.
F U L L C A S T E R
| PRO | L | SHORT
REST
SPELL
POINTS | HIGH
COST | PREP
ATTACK
SPELLS | PREP
NONATTACK
SPELLS |
| | | | | |
| +2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| +2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| +2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| +2 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| | | | | |
| +3 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| +3 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| +3 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| +3 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| | | | | |
| +4 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| +4 | 10 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| +4 | 11 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| +4 | 12 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| | | | | |
| +5 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| +5 | 14 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| +5 | 15 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| +5 | 16 | 17 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| | | | | |
| +6 | 17 | 18 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
| +6 | 18 | 19 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
| +6 | 19 | 20 | 9 | 7 | 7 |
| +6 | 20 | 21 | 9 | 7 | 7 |
| | | | | |
Above, the table starts with a total of five prepared spells at level 1, reaching eight by level 7. The high tiers start with nine preps at level 9 and eventually fourteen by level 19. These preps can be any available slot. As the low slot spells gradually obsolete, there is no longer a need to prep them, and higher slots can be prepped instead. From the spell points pool, any amount of points upto the High Cost can be spent.
The Prep Spells divide between Attack Spells and Nonattack Spells. There are two separate spell lists to help each one be more manageable.
The table gives a sense of the quantities involved. But there can be further modifications. Such as, these numbers might also be used if wanting to prepare a cantrip, but then the spell ability grants the bonus number of prep spells.
