Making Words of Power Playable


Round 2: Words of Power Discussion


Ok so I really should be writing a grad paper or sleeping right now. I think I've got a workable alternative for the current words of power system (which is clearly not all that popular): words don't change the world they change the caster. Basically the idea is a caster who's entire spell list are domains, (though possibly some attributes of a cyberware system might also work).

Words are not a metasystem for spell creation nor are they (mostly) freeform. Instead each word follows a theme (an analogy for this would be the way witches familiars bonus spells are stuctered).

Words work like domains did in the playtest of the core rules. They give uses/day powers and effects. Additionally, they can also give effects which resemble domain powers, but are in general weaker (for example the word of protection might give a small permanent bonus to AC).

Each word has a "multitool" power. This is one or a couple highly versatile at will spells (for example, telekinesis or summoning small imps) that pick up associated powers as the user advances in level. This gives the feel of a freeform system, without opening all the balance problems found with true freeform casting.

Words come in four levels: least, lesser, greater and bloodline. Least words cost 1 spell slot, lesser 2 and greater 4. For example a wizard might spend 2 second level spell slots to memorize the second level lesser word of pain. A caster can have a word level no higher than he posses the word at all prior spell levels, except 0. (For example a wizard could have a 1st level greater word of pain, and second level lesser word of pain and a third level least word of pain, but not Greater, Lesser, Greater).

Wizards can memorize their words as they do spells know. A sorcerer starts with a bloodline word (costing all his initial base spell slots at that level). A sorcerer may buy additional words from a small list of "allied" words. (For example, a Darkness bloodline sorcerer might also have access to the words of Pain, Undeath and the Abyss).

At present this should probably be limited only to full arcane casters.


On further thought, I might be wrong on how words work. That's really beginning to look like 4e's daily powers. Instead how about this:

Words give at will or permanent powers every spell level. These powers are, in general, equivalent to lower level "utility" spells or powers. Word casters also get a pool of expansion points. These can be used to boost the at will effect into something more akin to a spell of the correct level. Sorcerers get only a few words but a higher amount of expansion points. Wizards get to change what words they know, but have less expansion points.

Basically, this is turning words into what would be, under the FATE system, powers plus power stunts.

The feel I'm going for here is still kind of cyberwareish. The word of protection gives an AC bonus, but spending expansion points allows you to push it out from your flesh to create a circle of protection from evil.

Hum how about
The least word is the personal power
The lesser word is a small (for it's level) ranged effect
The greater word is an expansion effect usable 3 + number of bonus spells / day.
The bloodline word has a "multitool" power.

Damnit, it's too late. Making this coherent and preserving the difference between sorcerer and wizards, without gutting the classes and starting over, is impossible.

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