Vancian Magic, I love it.

[Gez]

What Jasin said. Truly Vancian magic requires creative spell usage. A Vancian spell has several possible effects, depending on how it's used. D&D magic, however, has moved toward an MMORPG-type of magic, obsessed by balance and restricting creativity (i.e., the move away from "guideline" to "pick a choice from the list" in spells like bestow curse or the separation of multipurpose spellls like emotion into several different single-purpose spells).

The new spellcasting systems devised for the new base classes, moving toward infinite or per-encounter abilities than per-day as for the classic classes, also reflect MMORPG gameplay, what with the mana bar that resplenishes quickly as soon as you stop chaincasting spells...

 

[w_earle_wheeler]

oh, the "humor" tag, how you have failed me.

Perhaps Vancian magic appeals more to gamers with a long-lasting sense of whimsy? Magic is magical, after all.

The new spellcasting systems devised for the new base classes, moving toward infinite or per-encounter abilities than per-day as for the classic classes, also reflect MMORPG gameplay, what with the mana bar that resplenishes quickly as soon as you stop chaincasting spells...

I just want my Vance/Leiber/Howard/Tolkien/Lovecraft hybrid.

 

[Nifft]

I love Vancian magic. Do you love Vancian magic?

I love Vancian magic. Save Vancian magic.

I'd say this is what failed you.

Humor tag without actual humor content.

Truly Vancian magic requires creative spell usage. A Vancian spell has several possible effects, depending on how it's used.

Now this I could get behind.

Coupled with Reserve feats, you get a guy who can do tricks all day long, then lay down a big (possibly creative) effect a very limited number of times per day.

Actually, this could promote the kind of system I've always wanted to play: where you initially fight with your lesser effects because you are probing what big effects the other guy has. If your unlimited magics depend on your prepared (limited) magics, then skirmishing to draw out the other guy's unlimited magics actually makes sense.

Hmm...

Cheers, -- N

 

[rkwoodard]

read?

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

Thaumaturge.

You know, years ago my wife bought me the PHB 3.5 and I have the SRD bookmarked, but actually sit down and read them? I don't know, these things are so dry, I think I rather assume everything is like it was till I am corrected.

So, you pointed it out to me, so I don't have to read it. Thank You. (no sarcasm meant, I actually appreciate it, as I have not bothered to read the PHB in years except to look up very specific rules)

RK

 

[Gold Roger]

My Vancian magics, let me show you them! (If only for the amazing reference)

Well, actually, I'd be most in favor of the system that various others have stated already in this thread: Minor at will effects coupled with a few actual prepared spells you can use if you have to ay down the smack.

 

[Gez]

Coupled with Reserve feats

And [Mindset] spells. I really regret they haven't made more of them; I love that concept and, if I had the time and the energy for that, I'd convert most spells to [Mindset] spells...

 

[Nifft]

And [Mindset] spells. I really regret they haven't made more of them; I love that concept and, if I had the time and the energy for that, I'd convert most spells to [Mindset] spells...

I have no idea what you are talking about. Please help remedy this! What's a [Mindset] spell?

Thanks, -- N

 

[Gez]

It's a concept they developed in Races of Eberron. As long as the spell is prepared, its magical presence in your mind gives you a small effect. For example, aspect of the werebeast is especially beneficial to shifter spellcasters, because as long as they keep the spell prepared, the duration of their shifting is extended by one round. Another mindset spell is more generally helpful, doppelganger transformation gives +2 bonus on bluff, disguise, and saving throws vs. sleep and charm.

 

[Nifft]

Ah, I see. There are similar spells in Dragon Magic... So long as you have one spell available, you gain a +1 bonus on Diplomacy, I seem to recall. Didn't have an explicit descriptor, though.

Spells with inherent [Reserve] effects are a good idea.

Hmmm, -- N

 

[Lord Rasputin]

Vancian magic has always been lame.

Going over attitudes from Wizards, I suspect it's toast for 4e anyhow. The idea of "do something cool each round" is totally at odds with Vancian magic. If Star Wars Saga is to be any guide, there will be some sort of activation roll, at least against foes.