DND_Reborn
The High Aldwin
Following my Faster Features variant thread (5E - The "Faster Features" Variant (+)) I would like to discuss one particular idea I've had for months now for a new class feature and would like to implement for Wizards: Spellbook Rituals
With the new idea in Tasha's about known-spell casters being able to swap a spell on a long rest (still irks me, but I'll stay on focus), Wizards become the only class without access to their entire spell list; their access is limited to the spells they've learned and reside in their spellbook. Other threads have shown that is nice, but hardly lends to the versatility and utility of the class comparatively now. Wizards have the longest and most diverse spell list, but acquiring spells relies heavily on DM fiat as otherwise a Wizard PC is only guaranteed 44 spells by level 20, while other classes have access to 100+ spells each.
Now, Wizard ritual casting is the bomb! Being able to cast any ritual spell in your spellbook without having to have that spell prepared is awesome, certainly. But the spellbook itself can be a huge problem with otherwise little benefit. Replacing a lost, stolen, or destroyed spellbook can cost considerably and again the wealth allotted in a game is also DM fiat. (Hopefully, if your DM is going to screw-over the Wizard PC by removing the spellbook, they will also provide means for eventually restoring it... but no guarantees of that really.
)
So, what can we add to the wizard to make the potential Achilles' Heel more beneficial? Spellbook Rituals.
Spellbook Rituals
You can cast any spell from your spellbook as a special ritual if that spell does not have the ritual tag. This special ritual takes one hour per spell level of the spell and requires a spellcasting check with a DC equal to 10 + the spell level. If you succeed, the spell is cast normally. If you fail the check, the spell fails and you gain one level of exhaustion. If your concentration is broken while using this feature to cast the spell, you gain a level of exhaustion. While casting a special ritual in this way, your spellbook becomes your spellcasting focus. You must follow all the restrictions for casting a ritual when you use this feature. (ADDED LATER) You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus. You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
I'm sure the wording needs to be cleaned up, but I think that conveys the concept for the most part. I know this has the potential to be very powerful, but given the time constraint you won't see it used during normal initiative combat. It also lends an incredible amount of versatility to Wizards on a semi-immediate basis.
Although not inspired by the artwork, when I saw it again in @Horwath's thread, it seemed a perfect example:
With the new idea in Tasha's about known-spell casters being able to swap a spell on a long rest (still irks me, but I'll stay on focus), Wizards become the only class without access to their entire spell list; their access is limited to the spells they've learned and reside in their spellbook. Other threads have shown that is nice, but hardly lends to the versatility and utility of the class comparatively now. Wizards have the longest and most diverse spell list, but acquiring spells relies heavily on DM fiat as otherwise a Wizard PC is only guaranteed 44 spells by level 20, while other classes have access to 100+ spells each.
Now, Wizard ritual casting is the bomb! Being able to cast any ritual spell in your spellbook without having to have that spell prepared is awesome, certainly. But the spellbook itself can be a huge problem with otherwise little benefit. Replacing a lost, stolen, or destroyed spellbook can cost considerably and again the wealth allotted in a game is also DM fiat. (Hopefully, if your DM is going to screw-over the Wizard PC by removing the spellbook, they will also provide means for eventually restoring it... but no guarantees of that really.
)So, what can we add to the wizard to make the potential Achilles' Heel more beneficial? Spellbook Rituals.
Spellbook Rituals
You can cast any spell from your spellbook as a special ritual if that spell does not have the ritual tag. This special ritual takes one hour per spell level of the spell and requires a spellcasting check with a DC equal to 10 + the spell level. If you succeed, the spell is cast normally. If you fail the check, the spell fails and you gain one level of exhaustion. If your concentration is broken while using this feature to cast the spell, you gain a level of exhaustion. While casting a special ritual in this way, your spellbook becomes your spellcasting focus. You must follow all the restrictions for casting a ritual when you use this feature. (ADDED LATER) You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus. You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
I'm sure the wording needs to be cleaned up, but I think that conveys the concept for the most part. I know this has the potential to be very powerful, but given the time constraint you won't see it used during normal initiative combat. It also lends an incredible amount of versatility to Wizards on a semi-immediate basis.
Although not inspired by the artwork, when I saw it again in @Horwath's thread, it seemed a perfect example:
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