Vancian Magic, I love it.

[Hairfoot]

A pox on Vancian magic. Bring on the spell points and generic magicks.

 

[ssampier]

it's not you, it's me

I wanted to quit Vancian Magic (VM), but it wouldn't let me. I saw a few magic systems behind its back, but VM wouldn't turn its key. At the end of the day, I kept Vancian Magic.

 

[Pale]

I've pretty much been stuck on White Wolf's magic system from Ars Magica since I picked up the original book. (Rein-Haigian Magic?). It wouldn't work all that well in a D&D environment, however, without a limiting factor on spell usage. I've always preferred a fatigue system (as one finds in Shadowrun) over a spell-slot system, myself.

 

[DogBackward]

back on topic, I'd prefer a magic system that was identical to the Expanded Psionics system. In this model, you would know or prepare a single spell that can be augmented with spell points to apply the effects of Lesser, Greater, or Mass equivalents rather than consume additional slots. Additionally, a caster of higher levels would just as readily acquire a lower-level spell for the sake of the effects that can be applied with more spell points. It's a much more flexible system.

Check this out, then.

I'm not sure if it's exactly what you're looking for, but it's my attempt to use a psionics-like spell point system while keeping the preparation-based feel of Vancian magic*. It also provides two new ways to flavor your Vancian magic that aren't "I cast a spell, and suddenly don't remember how to do it again..." If you're confused about the way things work by the first post, it's explained in simpler terms and clarified further in the following posts.

* It's true that D&D magic isn't technically Vancian, but as always, common usage trumps actual definitions.

 

[RFisher]

When I played an AD&D game sometimes in the mid-1990s I was esctatic when I realized I didn't have to roll to successfully cast a spell.

"OK, I'm going to cast a spell." Picks up dice. "Wait...how does this work again? What do I roll?" Think...think...think. "It just happens?" Flip through the rule books. "It just happens!"

After playing so many games in which my spellcasters felt downright incompetent up until they retired... That was one of the first small steps towards me falling in love with D&D again.

Of course, that's only one aspect of the D&D magic system, but it is my favorite.

...but there's those annoying saving throws & magic resistance...

 

[Plane Sailing]

I've never liked vancian magic, from OD&D onwards. It was so far away from any of the more traditional fantasy magic tropes, and people jumped through all kinds of hoops to explain how 'fire and forget' worked. The current 'prepared apart from the last trigger bit' is the best explanation yet, but still seems relatively unmagical to me.

I think I've liked every other magic system I've read in other games better than Vancian style; it is right at the bottom of the pile for me.

Cheers

 

[Jedi_Solo]

You love Vancian Magic?

Then take it... please.

Get it away from me.

...

And I like pointy hats.