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<blockquote data-quote="Wulf Ratbane" data-source="post: 1626247" data-attributes="member: 94">That is indeed an unfortunate error. The result of listening to a whiny playtester, sticking it in there temporarily so as not to forget the comment, and forgetting to take it back out again!Damage-dealing spells whose effect is based on caster level are (IMHO) poor choices for inclusion in a low-magic game. You very rarely see that kind of flash-bang in low-magic, pulpy fiction. Spells should be much more subtle, and there are plenty of spells whose effect is not based on caster level that can be hugely effective in-game. Man, do I ever regret using fireball as my example... Until caster level + spell level exceed the normal expected level of effect, at which point you're granting a bonus for no reason. Imagine the effect of a D&amp;D game if all spells got a bonus to caster level equal to their spell level! A 5th level caster with 8d6 fireballs is not an improvement to a low-magic game.The problem with first glances is that you rarely have the chance to free your mind of excess baggage you're carrying over from high-magic D&amp;D expectations: Don't let fireball (and other spells that scale solely by damage dice) overpower the discussion.Nothing wrong with friendly debate.Wulf</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Wulf Ratbane, post: 1626247, member: 94"] That is indeed an unfortunate error. The result of listening to a whiny playtester, sticking it in there temporarily so as not to forget the comment, and forgetting to take it back out again! Damage-dealing spells whose effect is based on caster level are (IMHO) poor choices for inclusion in a low-magic game. You very rarely see that kind of flash-bang in low-magic, pulpy fiction. Spells should be much more subtle, and there are plenty of spells whose effect is not based on caster level that can be hugely effective in-game. Man, do I ever regret using fireball as my example... Until caster level + spell level exceed the normal expected level of effect, at which point you're granting a bonus for no reason. Imagine the effect of a D&D game if all spells got a bonus to caster level equal to their spell level! A 5th level caster with 8d6 fireballs is not an improvement to a low-magic game. The problem with first glances is that you rarely have the chance to free your mind of excess baggage you're carrying over from high-magic D&D expectations: Don't let fireball (and other spells that scale solely by damage dice) overpower the discussion. Nothing wrong with friendly debate. Wulf [/QUOTE]

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