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Re-envisioning Wands
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<blockquote data-quote="Felon" data-source="post: 2819213" data-attributes="member: 8158"><p>If there's one categoary of magic item I'd really like to see revamped, it's the magic wand.</p><p></p><p>D&D spellcasting uses the so-called "vancian" system that is intended primarily to introduce an element of resource management; a caster has to use the right-sized tool for the right job. Of course, one of the fun things about magic items is that they provide a way to skirt the normal rules. Scrolls can provide a little extra utility, but as one-shot items they basically become another resource to manage. </p><p></p><p>With high number of charges, wands all too often throw the concept of resource management into the crapper. A caster can always have that spell for artillery or healing on-hand. Indeed, at a certain level it can be commonplace for a caster's spells to become a secondary resource, with wand-slinging becaming the primary magic outlet. I might feel a little differently if I saw wands actually run out of charges regularly, but that only seems to happen with wands of CLW (and they're so economical that their expenditure isn't even given a second thought). Fifty charges is so many that it often seem pointless to even keep track of them--many players just regard them as virtually inexhaustible, if only at an unconscious level.</p><p></p><p>If this all works for you, then that's fine--I'm just saying it doesn't work for me and I was wondering if perhaps there are others who feel the same. Personally, I'd like wands to be an extension of the mage, the same way a weapon is for a fighter. I've been thinking of various ways to go about it, including:</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Increasing effective caster level with certain subschools of spells.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Acting as items of spell-storing.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Allowing lower-level spells to be cast as spell-like abilities.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Providing spell penetration bonuses. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Making metamagic easier.</li> </ul><p></p><p>Hass anyone gone beyond the theoretical level with this? Maybe some product support?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Felon, post: 2819213, member: 8158"] If there's one categoary of magic item I'd really like to see revamped, it's the magic wand. D&D spellcasting uses the so-called "vancian" system that is intended primarily to introduce an element of resource management; a caster has to use the right-sized tool for the right job. Of course, one of the fun things about magic items is that they provide a way to skirt the normal rules. Scrolls can provide a little extra utility, but as one-shot items they basically become another resource to manage. With high number of charges, wands all too often throw the concept of resource management into the crapper. A caster can always have that spell for artillery or healing on-hand. Indeed, at a certain level it can be commonplace for a caster's spells to become a secondary resource, with wand-slinging becaming the primary magic outlet. I might feel a little differently if I saw wands actually run out of charges regularly, but that only seems to happen with wands of CLW (and they're so economical that their expenditure isn't even given a second thought). Fifty charges is so many that it often seem pointless to even keep track of them--many players just regard them as virtually inexhaustible, if only at an unconscious level. If this all works for you, then that's fine--I'm just saying it doesn't work for me and I was wondering if perhaps there are others who feel the same. Personally, I'd like wands to be an extension of the mage, the same way a weapon is for a fighter. I've been thinking of various ways to go about it, including: [list] [*]Increasing effective caster level with certain subschools of spells. [*]Acting as items of spell-storing. [*]Allowing lower-level spells to be cast as spell-like abilities. [*]Providing spell penetration bonuses. [*]Making metamagic easier. [/list] Hass anyone gone beyond the theoretical level with this? Maybe some product support? [/QUOTE]
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