Skill-Based Magic Ideas - Thoughts and Suggestions Welcome

[airwalkrr]

I've been toying around with the following idea. A skill-based magic system in which spellcasters can cast any spell on their spell list without limit as long as they pass a Spellcraft check. The DC of the Spellcraft check is 18 + (spell level x 3). A spellcaster can memorize the same number of spells per day as usual, only the spellcaster may continue to cast that spell an unlimited number of times per day until he memorizes a new spell in its spot. To compensate for their reduced number of spells known and the fact that Intelligence is rarely a key ability for spontaneous casters, the DC is 18 + (spell level x 2) for spontaneous casters.

A couple of variants are possible in this system to help keep it in check:
-A roll of 1 always fails on a Spellcraft check to cast a spell.
-Whenever a Spellcraft check to cast a spell is failed, that spell can no longer be cast from that spell slot until the caster receives 8 hours of rest. However a caster could memorize the spell multiple times and still be able to cast it from other slots.
-Failure of a Spellcraft check by 5 or more results in a mishap, similar to scroll mishaps. This mishap could be rolled on a table or chosen by the DM.
-Divine casters have an alternate skill in place of Spellcraft called Pray which is based on Wisdom.

Any thoughts, comments, or suggestions?

 

[DreamChaser]

So.
0 = 18 -10.5 = 7.5 (4 ranks + 2 int + 3 skill focus = 9) Net: +1.5 (better than average)
1 = 21 -10.5 = 10.5 (4 ranks + 2 int + 3 skill focus = 9) Net -1.5 (worse than average)
2 = 24 -10.5 = 13.5 (6 ranks + 2 int + 3 skill focus = 11) Net -2.5 (getting worse)
3 = 27 -10.5 = 16.5 (8 ranks + 3 int + 3 skill focus = 14) Net -2.5 (0 level basically automatic)
4 = 30 -10.5 = 19.5 (10 ranks + 3 int + 3 skill focus = 16) Net -3.5 (getting worse) (1st level basically automatic)
5 = 33 -10.5 = 22.5 (12 ranks + 4 int + 3 skill focus = 19) Net -3.5 (2nd level basically automatic)
6 = 36 -10.5 = 25.5 (14 ranks + 5 int + 3 skill focus = 22) Net -3.5 (3rd level basically automatic)
7 = 39 -10.5 = 28.5 (16 ranks + 5 int + 3 skill focus = 24) Net -4.5 (4th level basically automatic)
8 = 42 -10.5 = 31.5 (18 ranks + 6 int + 3 skill focus = 27) Net -4.5 (5th level basically automatic)
9 = 45 -10.5 = 34.5 (20 ranks + 7 int + 3 skill focus = 30) Net -4.5 (6th level basically automatic)

The net number is how many skill ranks off (assuming this very conservative build) the caster would be from having a 50/50 chance of casting her spell levels based on the level at which she gains them.

This seems to make your top levels too hard (especially at early levels) and make your low levels too easy, which is often the case with skill based systems.

Plus, randomness always favors the bad guys because they make fewer rolls in the long run and they have fun whether or not their spells go off; PCs on the other hand, do not.

DC

 

[ChrisHaines]

I use a mechanic that is somewhat similar to yours, only I have a Spellcaster check instead of a Spellcraft check. Basically you roll a d20, add your Caster Level, and add in your key ability score modifier.

 

[Jubal]

you might want to check out GR's The Black Company Campaign Setting

it has a magic system with similiar elements to what your talking about.


EN World reviews of Black Company Campaign Setting

What's presented over 41 pages is a fully developed, well balanced, flexible skill based casting system.

-Jubal-