Vancian Magic, I love it.

[Goblyn]

Personally, I like how sorcerers do it. Limited number of spells known, but you can cast in just about any combination.

I agree.

I would probably be more inclined to use spell points if it wasn't for psionics. To me, that helps to make a differentiation between the two.

Me too.


I also wouldn't mind a magic system that wasn't based on the idea of resource management(x spell slots of a per day/spell points per day) but instead risk or opportunity cost.

 

[Felix]

When you look like this, it's hard not to vote for pointy hats.

 

[DreadArchon]

I like it. I like mana systems and psionics, too. I'm arcanely polyamorous.

Same here. Warlocks, Sorcerers, Incarnates, Tome of Battle weirdos, Psions, even Wizards--I learn and use them all. I don't see why we should have any sort of single, unified system.

 

[Dragon-Slayer]

I despise Vancian magic to the hilt. Not the brightest concept and the idea is taken from rather mediocre fiction.

For C&C I use a totally different magic system, one a bit more sensible.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Vancian Magic has always been there for me. I just can't quit it.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Vancian magic and I broke up. We tried to make it work, but ShadowRun came along and even though ShadowRun was dysfunctional she was crazy great in the sack. I went back to Vancian with third edition, but ... I started seeing Iron Heroes behind Vancian's back. Vancian magic and I still put on a good show in public, but really we only do it for the sake of the children.

 

[Thaumaturge]

I changed it from Vancian to Amberian.

So now, my wizards in the morning actually cast all of their spells except the last few words and gestures. When they cast the spell, it is not that they forget it, it is that they have to start recasting from the start which is very draining.

This has been the official 3e way of business since 3e. They changed "memorize" to "prepare", and added other flavor text. Check your 3.5 PHB.

The act of preparing a spell is actually the first step in casting it. A spell is designed in such a way that it has an interuption point near its end. This allows the wizard to cast most of the spell ahead of time and finish when it's needed, even if she is under considerable pressure.

I agree the changes are for the better. I don't understand why those high intelligence guys keep forgetting things.

Thaumaturge.

 

[Fifth Element]

This has been the official 3e way of business since 3e. They changed "memorize" to "prepare", and added other flavor text. Check your 3.5 PHB.

I think it's easier if we just let everyone assume that the rules still work the way they did decades ago. I mean, who actually reads stuff like that in the PHB?

 

[Thaumaturge]

I think it's easier if we just let everyone assume that the rules still work the way they did decades ago. I mean, who actually reads stuff like that in the PHB?

Yessir, sorry sir. Move along. Nothing to see here.

Thaumaturge.

 

[Hjorimir]

I don't care for Vancian magic insofar as what it does to the pace of a game (it's just dandy when I'm reading Vance...which is NOT mediocre by any means).

If WotC really want to keep it around at all when 4E hits (note that I’m not saying 4E is imminent) I’d prefer a hybrid where most of a spellcaster’s abilities are either always available, available per encounter, or governed by some other means (I love True20’s fatigue system, but I digress) and have a few big, powerful things that can be done rarely (like it could take days to recharge/prepare/memorize such spells again).

But, overall, I want to just be able to keep the action going and I don’t like hearing the caster’s cry about how they’ve blown their wad early. Ugg.