"Overcasting" in your campaign.

[Kahuna Burger]

A poll with more detailed discussion of how to do it is over on the house rules forum, but I thought I'd try to gauge general interest here. Overcasting would be defined roughly as letting magic users metamagic spells up over their normal casting limits. For instance, your 6th level sorc wants to "give it his all" and cast a triple empowered fireball at the equivelent of a 9th level spell, in spite of only having 3rd level spell slots. It could burn up all his spells for the day, cost XP, hurt (a lot) or have other costs, but the base question is, would/do you allow it?

Kahuna Burger

 

[Zappo]

Nope. First of all, arcane spellcasters are powerful enough. Secondly, their mechanics already include - heck, they are based on - the concept of being able to do something spectacular, but only a few times per day.

I would allow it if it was a part of the setting. There are many examples in games and literature of spellcasters who do extreme things but get tired, hurt or even killed in the process. But I wouldn't add such a mechanic to a standard D&D campaign just because it sounds cool. Maybe as an ability for a PrC.

 

[Tonguez]

1. Requires a Spellcraft Check vs DC 15 +(Spell level - caster level) x 5 (ie 9=3 = 6x5 = 30 DC 45)
2. Caster can get a +1 Mod to their check for each additional casting time increment (action, minute whatever)
3. Blood Sacrfice - the Caster can add CON (their own or another 'victims' to their check (permanent damage))


ps I was using blood sacrifices long before it was kewl to be vile!

 

[Kahuna Burger]

I would allow it if it was a part of the setting. There are many examples in games and literature of spellcasters who do extreme things but get tired, hurt or even killed in the process.

Its this dramatic flavor that I find apeaing, combined with the ability to take heroic actions. A few other systems have specific rules for "pushing" an ability or attempt, but in D&D AFAIK the only possibility of moving beyond the rules is making a forced march when traveling. The concept of "pushing yourself beyond your limits" just isn't in there (well, except perhaps Rage), and in a heroic campaign some sort of house rule for that would be nice.

Kahuna Burger

 

[Numion]

Nah. They're proven to be quite spectacular enough, already.

Another point is that it would undermine the usefulnes of real higher level spells (eh, not real spells, but non-metamagicked higher level spells.). What good is a cone of cold if you've been flinging empowered fireballs as 3rd level spells?

And I never liked overcasting in Rolemaster either.

 

[Tisvon]

I think it has the problem of being a "I cast a quad-empowered <i>meteor swarm</i> at Paylor. It costs me a level, but I go up two!" thing.

 

[carpedavid]

I like the idea of a spellcaster being able to expend all of his energy in one shot, in an "all or nothing" effort. I figure the drawback of then being completely helpless (magic-wise) is enough to keep players from abusing this system.

Of course, in the standard "fire and forget" D&D system, the mechanics for doing something like that would be, at the very least, a bit wonky.

I've adapted a mana-based spellcasting system for my campaign, and in this type of a system, it's a lot easier to implement.

-DMG

 

[Crothian]

I did it for a short campaign and modified the WoT rules for it.

 

[Sixchan]

If someone was trying to cast a triple-empowered Fireball at 6th level, I'd point out to the player that it would kill them. Even if it was the Dungeon's Boss Monster. Then I'd give my best attempt at a despairing narrative as the hero lies dead and lifeless on the dungeon floor. Hell, I'm dying for this to happen. In all my time DMing, I have NEVER seen a heroic sacrifice. And it pains my heart.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

I think it has the problem of being a "I cast a quad-empowered <i>meteor swarm</i> at Paylor. It costs me a level, but I go up two!" thing.

hey, if you play with power gamers, you play with power gamers... It shouldn't be that hard to make the possible consequences significant and possibly irreversable. Unless thats a problem in your overall campaign, and trust me, I've been in plenty where it was.

Kahuna Burger