Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 5725848" data-attributes="member: 92511">Ah. Bring back those good ole days.I introduced additional spells for high intelligence before the editions did. I've found that between those couple of additional resources (even if it was only one more 1st level spell/day) and the introduction of the "cantrip", a low level wizard was able to hold their own much better and not feel like the "one and done"/useless the rest of the day party member. While still needing to be conservative with your casting, this had the added bonus of trying to think/come up with creative uses for your cantrips that might actually help in a combat situation. No, it couldn't blast the goblins away all of the time, but they might delay or distract or otherwise inconvenience them in a way that could make a difference in the outcome of a battle. In terms of the discussion at hand, it made "mundane"/low level magic a bit more commonplace, but kept the "real power" (higher level spells) still rare and "mysterious" (since even with high intelligences, a wizard could only hope for a single additional 3rd level spell even with an 18 Int...and pretty much by 5th level -when 3rd level spells were acquired- a mage was pretty much holding their own without additional spells, IMO)When a wizard "stepped up" or began casting, it was anyone's guess what "weird thing" was going to happen...sometimes it was a bolt of lightning...sometimes it was just a dazing, but otherwise harmless, flash of light....but you just didn't/don't know when you see the robed guy with the staff start mumbling and making gestures.Yup. I don't approve of this style of wizard. Nothing against the edition, it is what it is. Just not the cup of tea I enjoy. I prefer my wizards to have to think and be judicious in their spell choices and usage...and as I said, maintains that "magic is something mysterious/not to be understood by the uninitiated or uninformed/uneducated."I'm inclined to say it was all of those things. Magic in novels that was not "Vancian" in nature. The "blast it again!" of video games. In what anime I am familiar with, magic comes off as more "superhero powers" than "spells." I'll also throw in with GSHamster's observation about Harry Potter. That most certainly has informed the cultural mass' consciousness as to the "practice/use of magic" above and beyond anything Gandalf ever did...or even Merlin.I would also go a step further and make the presumption that all of these factors are swayed into the cultural "Need for speed" of the computer/internet age.We do not "wait" for anything anymore...nor do we want to and many get upset at the prospect of "waiting." I.e. "You've exhausted your spells for the day and there are five hours left in the day before you possibly will make camp/rest for the eight hours you need to recoup." does not sit well with anyone, significantly less so than it did before everyone had the interweb, quite literally, in their pockets.Patience has gone from being a virtue to outright blasphemy! And thinking "ahead", planning/picking your spells and being careful in their use is not at tall desirable (nor perhaps even understood as an option by some) when "I should be able to just 'log on', as it were, and get what I want/need (iow, more magic) right now!"Yes and yes, for removing mystery and ruining fun, respectively.As to whether or not it has made the game "better for players (and DMs)?" That is purely a person-by-person preference and playstyle decision. For me and mine, I say "No, it has not." But thankfully, I still play in the vein I mentioned above and "mysterious magic" is alive and well in my game setting. Great topic/discussion, Storm.As always, have fun and happy spellcasting.--Steel Dragons</blockquote>

Verification