Normally, a 17th level Wizard can cast 1 9th level spell per day. Unless I’m missing something, with your method, a 17th level Wizard would be able to cast 2 9th level spells per Short Rest. Are you sure that’s balanced?I am impressed with how well points per Short Rest balances.
The basic idea is, the mage gains a number of spell points equal to the fullcaster level + 1. The cost of any spell equals its slot level.
For example:
A level 5 Wizard has a spell pool equal to 6 points ( = level + 1 points).
The Wizard can use these points to cast two Fireballs (3rd slot x 2 = 6 point cost), or cast one of each Fireball, Invisibility, and Magic Missile (3rd slot + 2nd slot + 1st slot = 6 point cost).
When the pool depletes a Short or Long Rest can refresh it back to the maximum of 6 points.
This set up is amazingly balanced. It even works for the highest slot levels of 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th.
It should probably the standard mechanics for any character that uses spell points, regardless of class.
Yeah. But. The level 17th level Wizard using these spell slots will never be able to cast a 9th-slot spell, an 8th-slot spell, a 7th-slot spell, a 6th-slot spell, two 5th-slot spells, three 4th-slot spells, and three 3rd-slot spells DURING THE SAME COMBAT ENCOUNTER!Normally, a 17th level Wizard can cast 1 9th level spell per day. Unless I’m missing something, with your method, a 17th level Wizard would be able to cast 2 9th level spells per Short Rest.
Are you sure rests aren't that easy to get?Yeah. But. The level 17th level Wizard using these spell slots will never be able to cast a 9th-slot spell, an 8th-slot spell, a 7th-slot spell, a 6th-slot spell, two 5th-slot spells, three 4th-slot spells, and three 3rd-slot spells DURING THE SAME COMBAT ENCOUNTER!
If the Wizard depletes all the spell points on only two spells, the Wizard will be vulnerable to any encounters afterward, and gaining a 1-hour Short Rest may or may not be easy.
The genius of the Short Rest spell pool is, it keeps the size of spell pool small thereby making "broken" "novas" impossible.
We can compare the 5e Warlock, with regard to Short Rest mechanics.Are you sure rests aren't that easy to get?
My experience is that the party rests the amount of times = to the loudest member of the party who nova'd their abilities out. We want to disinsentivise the 5MWD. This just turns it into the 5-Minute-Work-Hour, thus making it far easier to recharge without losing everything (1 hour is far easier to rest thoroughly than 6).