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*Dungeons & Dragons
Split the Players Handbook into two books: Lower Tiers and Upper Tiers
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<blockquote data-quote="Yaarel" data-source="post: 8768907" data-attributes="member: 58172"><p>Spell points.</p><p></p><p>It happened in the context of psionic discussions.</p><p></p><p>In principle, I strongly require psionic to use normal mechanics. That includes normal spellcasting mechanics like Warlock spell slots.</p><p></p><p>Of course, many 3e psionic fans want spell points. I am a 3e psionic fan but require normal 5e mechanics.</p><p></p><p>The 5e spell point system in the DMs Guide is an eyesore − awkward to the point of unusuable in gameplay. It still suffers from possible "nova" abuses.</p><p></p><p>Nevertheless, when looking into an alternative spell point system, it proved so simple and so balanced, I eventually agreed that it would be ok if the 5e Psion class used this spell point system.</p><p></p><p>Now, I think every 5e spell caster should use this spell point system.</p><p></p><p>At the upper tiers, the spell slots of the Wizard and other full casters become increasingly cumbersome and complex. A single pool of spell points cuts thru all of this. Upper tier Wizards suddenly become simple and easy to play.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>The spell point system works as follows.</p><p>• Pool of spell points = full caster level + 1</p><p>• Spell cost = spell level of spell</p><p>• Each casting cant spend more points than ½(caster level+1)</p><p>• Spell pool refreshes after each short or long rest</p><p></p><p>Notice, one cant spend more points than the highest spell level available.</p><p></p><p>Only SHORT RESTS can make the spell point system work in a balanced way. It allows the number of points to remain small, and the ability to cast the highest level spells available a maximum of two times, which depletes the entire pool, and then requires rest to refresh. A caster can still rely on cantrips and rituals meanwhile.</p><p></p><p>The smaller short-rest spell point pool can even be used for to cast spell level 9 spells. It can only happen twice, and then caster is out of spells for the rest of the combat.</p><p></p><p>The short-rest Warlock class can use this spell point system naturally. It is roughly equivalent to the Warlock slots converting to points. While leveling, the points advance smoothly while the slots lumpily, but the difference is a wash. It is balanced.</p><p></p><p>The long-rest caster classes including Wizard, Bard, Druid, Cleric, and Sorcerer, must instead adjust to a short-rest refresh schedule. Otherwise, getting excessively many spell points at each long rest becomes broken, when casting the highest level spells available many times during a "nova".</p><p></p><p>The spell slot system keep the spellcasting classes balanced and simple to use. Anyone who knows how to use hit points, knows how to use spell points. The smaller number of spell points because of short rests also keeps the math simpler.</p><p></p><p>There is no need to distinguish between slots 1-5 and then 6-9 separately. This simple spell point system can handle any slot in a balanced way.</p><p></p><p>We can stop using the term "level" to mean both class level and differently spell level. There are only points. <em>Fireball</em> is a 3-point spell.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>The upper tier spellcasters suddenly become easy to play.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Yaarel, post: 8768907, member: 58172"] Spell points. It happened in the context of psionic discussions. In principle, I strongly require psionic to use normal mechanics. That includes normal spellcasting mechanics like Warlock spell slots. Of course, many 3e psionic fans want spell points. I am a 3e psionic fan but require normal 5e mechanics. The 5e spell point system in the DMs Guide is an eyesore − awkward to the point of unusuable in gameplay. It still suffers from possible "nova" abuses. Nevertheless, when looking into an alternative spell point system, it proved so simple and so balanced, I eventually agreed that it would be ok if the 5e Psion class used this spell point system. Now, I think every 5e spell caster should use this spell point system. At the upper tiers, the spell slots of the Wizard and other full casters become increasingly cumbersome and complex. A single pool of spell points cuts thru all of this. Upper tier Wizards suddenly become simple and easy to play. The spell point system works as follows. • Pool of spell points = full caster level + 1 • Spell cost = spell level of spell • Each casting cant spend more points than ½(caster level+1) • Spell pool refreshes after each short or long rest Notice, one cant spend more points than the highest spell level available. Only SHORT RESTS can make the spell point system work in a balanced way. It allows the number of points to remain small, and the ability to cast the highest level spells available a maximum of two times, which depletes the entire pool, and then requires rest to refresh. A caster can still rely on cantrips and rituals meanwhile. The smaller short-rest spell point pool can even be used for to cast spell level 9 spells. It can only happen twice, and then caster is out of spells for the rest of the combat. The short-rest Warlock class can use this spell point system naturally. It is roughly equivalent to the Warlock slots converting to points. While leveling, the points advance smoothly while the slots lumpily, but the difference is a wash. It is balanced. The long-rest caster classes including Wizard, Bard, Druid, Cleric, and Sorcerer, must instead adjust to a short-rest refresh schedule. Otherwise, getting excessively many spell points at each long rest becomes broken, when casting the highest level spells available many times during a "nova". The spell slot system keep the spellcasting classes balanced and simple to use. Anyone who knows how to use hit points, knows how to use spell points. The smaller number of spell points because of short rests also keeps the math simpler. There is no need to distinguish between slots 1-5 and then 6-9 separately. This simple spell point system can handle any slot in a balanced way. We can stop using the term "level" to mean both class level and differently spell level. There are only points. [I]Fireball[/I] is a 3-point spell. The upper tier spellcasters suddenly become easy to play. [/QUOTE]
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Split the Players Handbook into two books: Lower Tiers and Upper Tiers
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