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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Aberzanzorax" data-source="post: 5726754" data-attributes="member: 64209">I think that classes can be the "same" in one way but different in another. I don't see a reason why we couldn't have fighters with smaller attacks and a few "boffo" ones, or mages who had more stable, reliable magic. The fluff has to match, though, for me. It should be immediately obvious why it is the case and how that works...and it needs to feel "fightery/nonmagical" and "magical/nonmundane" respectively for it to work. I was fine with warlocks in 3e. I also liked how they managed some of Book of Nine Swords. Honestly, I don't think it's frequency of use in the day that makes mages seem less mysterious. I think it's description and world assumptions (how many mages are there in the world? Do the commoners run in fear when you cast color spray?)  The other question I'd raise is: do we really want ANY player class where there is an "OMG he's gonna do it!" moment on a daily basis?    Maybe, if we really want to make magic more rare, a mechanic like this: Give mages the same hp as fighters. Casting spells is a "magic points" or "mana" system for variable spell power. However, the points used are hp, and are hp that can't be restored by magic until the mage has rested. I'd work it something like this: at lvl 1, you can cast lvl 1 spells for 1 hp cost. If you want to cast lvl 2 spells, you can if you know any. They cost 4hp (2 hp for lvl 2 times 2 hp because you are that many levels from being able to "normally" cast them in 3e). You know a lvl 3 spell? GREAT! Go ahead and cast it! It costs 12 hp (3 hp for the lvl of the spell times 4 hp for the level difference you are from "normally" casting it). You're level 1, you just cast fireball, and you also are unconscious for the rest of the day. With such a system mages are less squishy if they're not using magic willy nilly, but if they are, they become even more squishy...and can pull of some really powerful stuff if they're willing to pay some serious costs.  (Of course, these are just theory numbers, if this were done for real, the maths would need to be tightened up and improved). Actually, I think there's a mechanic somewhat like this in Midnight by Fantasy Flight Games.</blockquote>

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