Spell Creation

[Prophet2b]

Is there any sort of template out there for creating spells for D&D and making sure you peg the levels correctly? I'm not too concerned with "balance" per se, meaning I'd like to create some pretty dang powerful spells. But I need to keep them pre-Epic, and I need to know exactly what level they'd fall under.

I just didn't know if there was any "spell creation guide/template" out there or anything like that. I can't find one... I know I've found documents telling how to create new, balanced classes by using a point system. Is there anything like that for spell creation?

 

[Land Outcast]

DMG p.35

That's an option

 

[Prophet2b]

DMG p.35

That's an option

Yeah, I've read those "guidelines" - but they're kind of lacking... to a very large degree... it would take a lot of effort to create spells, go through, and compare them to a bunch of other spells, refine them, compare again, refine, compare again, etc. until finally getting it right.

I was wondering if there was a bit easier way...

 

[Land Outcast]

Well, the problem is that D&D's spells weren't made through an "easier system", and thus you won't find a pattern from where to extrapolate a spell-creation-system.

Now, if you're really interested in making your own spells and are willing to use an alternate magic system, I recommend Elements of Magic --> http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=2699 by Ryan Nock.

 

[Prophet2b]

Well, the problem is that D&D's spells weren't made through an "easier system", and thus you won't find a pattern from where to extrapolate a spell-creation-system.

Now, if you're really interested in making your own spells and are willing to use an alternate magic system, I recommend Elements of Magic --> http://enworld.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=2699 by Ryan Nock.

I actually own Elements of Magic Revised. And I would love to give it a whirl. Unfortunately, I've never had a player who wanted to try it. They thought it was too complicated. Now... I could be a cruel DM and say, "Well, then, you won't be playing a magic character, will you, eh?" But you gotta pick and choose your battles, and if it's only making the game how I want it to be (and not how everyone else at the table wants it to be), then I'd say that's a battle not worth fighting...

I had considered trying to create spells using EoMR, though, and then convert them over to "Levels" - and if there is nothing directly related ot D&D Spell Levels, that's probably what I'll end up doing.

I just thought I'd ask first, though.

 

[Land Outcast]

oh... heh... tried to help mate :\

 

[Twowolves]

Bad Axe games' Heroes of High Favor: Elves has an appendix that gives a pretty thoughtful look at designing spells. It's worth a look. So is True Sorcery. You can design spells and then hand them out, or use the system as written for on the fly spell creation.

 

[jefgorbach]

Easiest way would be to use Epic spells, reducing the base level from 20th to 1st.

ie - seed:Energy
from DC:19 for a 10d6 energy evocation with 300' range
to DC:1 for a 1d4 energy evocation with 15' range