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The name of this variant may need work, but it essentially amounts to fusing all casting into one function. That is, all casters tap into the same power. This is a variant designed for a campaign-setting-in-progress where this is actually the case.
I figure I'd make a feat for theme casters that reduces a certain subtype of spells to lower levels.
The main focus of this was to change as little of the current dynamic as possible (at least for arcane casters). Divine casters had to be nerfed to allow the spells to be all one list, but they get to benefit from a much more versatile list as well.
Anyway, here is the link to my write-up of the variant.
Couple key points:
* Spellcasting levels from different classes stack and only count as one casting progression. As a related consequence, mystic theurge's don't exist. (Yes there are mechanisms in the variant to restrict multi-classing for goodies!)
* Those that cast pick the mental stat they use and whether it's prepared or spontaneous when they first gain the ability to cast. This is true of spell-like abilities as well (though they only care about the stat) so some monsters may cast differently.
Obviously that causes a lot of problems, much of the write-up is about fixing those problems. If I copy-past this document into word it takes up about 5 pages, so it is a long read (Apologies!) but you can skip the last 3/5 of it (everything outside of the "basics") as it is all about resolving issues that arise because of the change (like prestige classes, or divine casters, etc).
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No responses after nearly 24 hours... I suppose a variant like this might be a little big to casually ask advice for :P.
Oh well, maybe I'll see if the players in my current game are up for trying it out (probably on the next campaign instead of the current one).
I think its not a bad idea. I did something similar a few years ago. Basically, I divorced the spellcasting tradition (which determines the spell list) from the character class (which provides a frame for the character's BAB, saving throws etc).
Spellcasters have to select a spellcasting tradition (like wizardry or druidism) upon completing their first level in a spellcasting class. Caster classes grant a "+1 level in a spellcasting tradition" similarly to how prestige classes work.
This way, you could make a bard casting from the druidic tradition (for a 1st edition feel) and keep gaining druidic caster level as you multi-class with druid levels.
I've been through 1 year and a half of playtests and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.
'findel
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Hmm.. That's an interesting way of doing it.
My idea for theming was to have a caster (optionally) pick a theme and a countertheme. The spells that fit into the theme that are 3rd level or higher are one level lower (but only for the purposes of the slot they take). The spells that fit into the countertheme that are 2nd level or higher are one level higher (but again only for the purposes of the slot they take). Maybe allow them to be as broad as a school, but require that the theme and countertheme be the same size(ish).
So a summoner might have Theme (Conjuration) Countertheme (Evocation). A cleric might have Theme (Healing) Countertheme(energy damage spells).
Just a random thought.
No responses after nearly 24 hours... I suppose a variant like this might be a little big to casually ask advice for :P.
Oh well, maybe I'll see if the players in my current game are up for trying it out (probably on the next campaign instead of the current one).
I think its not a bad idea. I did something similar a few years ago. Basically, I divorced the spellcasting tradition (which determines the spell list) from the character class (which provides a frame for the character's BAB, saving throws etc).
Spellcasters have to select a spellcasting tradition (like wizardry or druidism) upon completing their first level in a spellcasting class. Caster classes grant a "+1 level in a spellcasting tradition" similarly to how prestige classes work.
This way, you could make a bard casting from the druidic tradition (for a 1st edition feel) and keep gaining druidic caster level as you multi-class with druid levels.
I've been through 1 year and a half of playtests and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.
'findel
Do you happen to have this in pdf or doc form online anywhere? I'd be interested in looking it over.
And the Thread Necromancy title goes to... Da'ath! Congratulations!
Seriously. I had forgotten about this thread. 2 years? Dang.
Weird - it was on the front page of of my topics list. Not sure how it got there, as anything older than 2012 isn't visible.
No responses after nearly 24 hours... I suppose a variant like this might be a little big to casually ask advice for :P.
Oh well, maybe I'll see if the players in my current game are up for trying it out (probably on the next campaign instead of the current one).
I think its not a bad idea. I did something similar a few years ago. Basically, I divorced the spellcasting tradition (which determines the spell list) from the character class (which provides a frame for the character's BAB, saving throws etc).
Spellcasters have to select a spellcasting tradition (like wizardry or druidism) upon completing their first level in a spellcasting class. Caster classes grant a "+1 level in a spellcasting tradition" similarly to how prestige classes work.
This way, you could make a bard casting from the druidic tradition (for a 1st edition feel) and keep gaining druidic caster level as you multi-class with druid levels.
I've been through 1 year and a half of playtests and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.
'findel
so do you incorporate bard and magus with wizard/sorcerer spell list or are those lists for partial casters?
Do you happen to have this in pdf or doc form online anywhere? I'd be interested in looking it over.
Try digging in here (try classes and magical traditions)
This was my latest attempt to consolidate my houserules for 3.5/Pathfinder, which has evolved into a d20-inspired RPG in its own now. Not quite ready to publish, but I intend to do so over the course of the year. Who knows, I might even have 2 or 3 sales before D&D next obliterates any of my hopes!
At any case, feel free to use anything you find there. Not everything was in a finished state however.
'findel
Do you happen to have this in pdf or doc form online anywhere? I'd be interested in looking it over.Try digging in here (try classes and magical traditions)
This was my latest attempt to consolidate my houserules for 3.5/Pathfinder, which has evolved into a d20-inspired RPG in its own now. Not quite ready to publish, but I intend to do so over the course of the year. Who knows, I might even have have 2 or 3 sales before D&D next obliterates any of my hopes!
At any case, feel free to use anything you find there. Not everything was in a finished state however.
'findel
I appreciate it!
As for the new D&D, they lost a lot of customers with 4.0. I know my gaming group has pretty much decided we won't be purchasing anything from that company. Yes, we're Hasbro haters.=)