Casting time Opcional system for the Pathfinder Guys.

[redwolf field]

Hi, I´m Redwolf and i like propose a system casting.

I play with wizards (it´s my favorite) and the casting wizards for 3.5 i don´t like me, i see a very fast cast a spell in 1 action.

a example for a wizard lvl 5 with a fire ball. (ah, sorry for my english)
A warrior, thief, wizard and cleric (standar group, xD) walk for the dungeon and meet a group of orc. Ok iniciative.

in this combat (and this real) First in combat is the wizard, thief, etc...
first move, I look the battlefield and cast a Fire ball, no enemy suvirvor.
>_<

Where is the casting time?

I weigh casting time is a period of time since you start the spell to execute the spell. (I know, is as a MMORPG)

My opcional system.
Casting spell = a Magic level.
example Fire ball (magic lvl 3) with a casting Spell of 3.
in a combat with this iniciatives, Thief 17, orc 16, wizard 14, orc 2 13, warrior 12.
Thief move and hide.
orc 1 move and look.
wizard begin to cast a fire ball, how has a 3 in casting level, the spell is activated in iniciative 11 afterward the warrior finish turn.

I Imagine your next comment: And Now the Orc2 go to Wizard for intent hit.
A true Wizard is a Know what Spell use, When and How.
This a Extrategic game, and i like what yours write yours opinions and update this system if a guys for pathfinder like this idea.

[Freesword]

Welcome Redwolf. Your English is better than my Spanish. If you have any difficulty understanding any of my responses feel free to ask for clarification and I will do my best. English is my native language and sometimes I am not clear to other native speakers of English.

I like the idea you propose:

Spell level = number of initiative counts between beginning to cast the spell and the spell taking effect.

I can see it working for most spells with a casting time of 1 Standard action. I would leave all spells with casting times of Swift action or Full round action (or longer) unchanged.

It is my understanding you intend for attacks against the wizard on the initiative counts between beginning to cast the spell and the spell taking effect to have the possibility of disrupting the spell. I have no problem with this but others may.

[Diego Bastet]

Welcome to the forums guy. I'm one guy that has some terrible english too, since it's not my mother language.

Now, about your seystem, I can see reasoning on that. Besides, it makes for a more grittier game, one with a more realistic feel.

However, I don't think it would work on Pathfinder. The game is too fast-paced, it works to fast for you to be allowed to spend your turns just casting.

Now, it would be really cool to see this rule on a low-magic setting. If you suppose there are few spellcasters, and that spellcasting is good to the side of the spellcaster, the extra casting time would make the mnagic feel much more...alive.

I would only add that the caster can actually fight while casting, with a concentration check and all.

I want to thank you for the idea. I will try it on my next low-magic adventure.

[david ferris]

Freesword wrote:

Welcome Redwolf. .....

I like the idea you propose:

Spell level = number of initiative counts between beginning to cast the spell and the spell taking effect.

I can see it working for most spells with a casting time of 1 Standard action. I would leave all spells with casting times of Swift action or Full round action (or longer) unchanged.

It is my understanding you intend for attacks against the wizard on the initiative counts between beginning to cast the spell and the spell taking effect to have the possibility of disrupting the spell. I have no problem with this but others may.

Yes!

I also like idea very much.
But no matter how long it takes to actually cast the spell in terms of initiative count, the caster should start the next round at the original iniative count.
On the face of it it seems simple.
This is a great way of dealing with spell casters, possibly giving others a chance to disrupt the spell.

But I do forsee some problems.
Wizard starts casting a spell at the enemy forces, lets say it is a fire ball. Before the spell goes off the enemy gets to move and so does an ally of the wizard.
I assume that the wizard is allowed to aim the spell at the last moment.
The wizard may suddenly find that when the spell actualy manifests that the battlegrid layout may have changed in a way that makes the spell undesirable to cast.
On top of that, it is possible that an enemy may move close enough to make a melee attack against the caster. Would that entitle the attacker an additional attack of opportunity (casting a spell when in a threatened space)?
Imagine if that striker was a rogue!
I can see the need for better team work. That could be a good thing.
It could also be a useful mechanism for addressing power balance issues.

Perhaps this idea could be used to provide a Harry potter flavour. Perhaps a caster that uses a focus device (such as wand or a holy symbol, or a staff) could get their spell off faster than that.
Perhaps an initiative delay of half the spell level (rounded down) would be the advantage of cluttering up one of your hands with a focus device. Perhaps this would also require a feat.
Spell level / initiative count delay
0-1 = no delay
2-3 = 1 count delay
4-5 = 2 count delay
6-7 = 3 count delay
8-9 = 4 count delay

Should this rule apply to users of supernatural spell like abilities?