Personally, I'd make Defiling the default and Preserving would require more care and deliberate action. I would probably have that defilers don't need material components (they use life force instead), and preservers MUST use material components as at least one difference. Any spell that doesn't normally have components is automatically a base Defiling spell, and any metamagic that removes component requirements MUST use Defiling. I would probably also make it that "preserved" spells cannot be upcast - at least, not without greater component requirements.You may need defiling rules.
My quick-and-dirty defiling rules:
*Yeah, I'm not sure what to do with defiler warlocks here.
- By default, an arcane caster is a preserver, just like every 2E preserver used the core AD&D wizard rules.
- A preserver can choose to defile when casting an upcastable spell. When one does so, plants die in a 10 foot * spell level of slot used radius of the caster, and the spell's power is increased as if the caster used a one-level-higher slot.
- An arcane caster can choose to be a "true" defiler. A true defiler always kills plants, even when using spells that can't be upcast. In addition to the extra power when using upcastable spells, a true defiler gets a bonus daily* spell slot of highest castable level or 5th level, whichever is lower.
Defilers are of course hated and feared for the destruction they wreak. Since preservers can choose to defile to upcast and may well do so when they consider it an "emergency", even inhabitants of Athas who know and care about the difference between preservers and defilers may be wary of preservers.
(These rules were inspired by A. the fact that the mechanical advantage of being a defiler in 2e was faster class progression, which for a wizard mostly translated into more powerful spellcasting, and B. the 4e Arcane Defiling power. They also have some resemblance to the system in the article "The Preserver's Choice" in Dragon #202, which was not a conscious influence, but which I probably read when it first came out in 1994.)
I agree. Makibg arcane casters corruptive by default is very Dark Sun. You want to cast like in base 5e? Either pony up the extra effort or accept the harm you're doing to the world.Personally, I'd make Defiling the default and Preserving would require more care and deliberate action. I would probably have that defilers don't need material components (they use life force instead), and preservers MUST use material components as at least one difference. Any spell that doesn't normally have components is automatically a base Defiling spell, and any metamagic that removes component requirements MUST use Defiling. I would probably also make it that "preserved" spells cannot be upcast - at least, not without greater component requirements.
I see the argument for that, but "presever wizards work exactly the way wizards in the PHB work" was the provided mechanics in every published version of the Dark Sun campaign setting.I agree. Makibg arcane casters corruptive by default is very Dark Sun. You want to cast like in base 5e? Either pony up the extra effort or accept the harm you're doing to the world.
Sure. I just think the other way around captures the setting better.I see the argument for that, but "presever wizards work exactly the way wizards in the PHB work" was the provided mechanics in every published version of the Dark Sun campaign setting.
It works better narratively, but preservers will wind up weaker than their level would indicate in play. Just need to prepare the players for it in Session 0.Sure. I just think the other way around captures the setting better.
I haven't see this! Is it new?Or...
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Though, granted, it doesn't have a true "Psychic Warrior" Class...
It -does- have Psychic Warrior as a Psion subclass -and- a Psionic Knight fighter subclass with psychic maneuvers.
Heck. Even has Wild Talents for all the A5e heritages that you could just rename "Feats" for 5e.