I'm thinking about implementing a houserule that would allow spontaneous casters to use their own spell slots to cast from spell trigger items (wands, staves). This would give them more versatility. Specifically, I'm thinking that they should be able to power a spell that is on their spell list from a spell trigger item for the cost of an equivalent spell slot. I'm a little wary that a 1:1 trade is a bad idea, but I'm not sure. Should I raise the cost or keep it even? Or is this whole thing a bad idea?
As in, if a Sorcerer has a Wand of Magic Missile with 19 charges left, and 3 level 1 slots left, he can spend one of his 1st level slots when using the wand to not expend a charge? So he'd use the Wand, it would still have 19 charges, and he'd be down to 2 level 1 slots? Why would a Sorcerer ever want to do that?
They are good enough as they are currently, in my opinion. Adding such rule would made staves with their recharging rules less desirable and would render Sorcerer's Arcane Bloodline capstone ability obsolete.
As in, if a Sorcerer has a Wand of Magic Missile with 19 charges left, and 3 level 1 slots left, he can spend one of his 1st level slots when using the wand to not expend a charge? So he'd use the Wand, it would still have 19 charges, and he'd be down to 2 level 1 slots? Why would a Sorcerer ever want to do that?
Problem is, I don't know what exactly the OP was intending.
If the Sorcerer doesn't use up the wand charges, this ability would allow him access to quite a lot of spells, as he would only need a couple dozen wands with a single charge left to miraculously broaden his repertoire.
If he does use up the charge, but is casting the spell with his own caster level and saves, he will get a lot of effect out of a measly wand, as, once again, he won't need to know that spell.
If both effects are intended, things start to get really powerful.
The 3.5 had runestaves - separate kind of items that contained one or more spells. Spontaneous casters that wielded them treated listed spells as spells known and could cast them using own spell slots. I would prefer to use them as a GM instead of proposed mechanic.
Actually I'd already use them in my game but the sole spontaneous spellcaster in the party is bard and she runs around wielding her inherited bow for which she picked her feats.
I think that runestaff sounds like what I had in mind. The idea was not that well formulated, just a thought to give spintaneous casters a bit more versatility. Where can I find info on runestaves?
I think they appeard in Magic Item Compendium.
In short:
- a runestaff usually contains from two to five spells.
- the wielder can expend daily spell slot or a prepared spell and convert it into one of the spells inscribed in the staff of the same level or lower that is on his spell list. This seems to work exactly as the cleric's ability to convert prepared spells into cure spells for prepared caster or just additional spells known for spontaneous caster - the spell effects are calculated using the wielder's CL, ability score, feats and so, and he has to provide all the components, foci and requirements needed for the spell (somatic component required by the spell are completed with the hand that wields the staff so no free hand is required).
- each spell inscribed on the runestaff can be cast up to three times per day (some could allow more or less castings per day)
- in 3.5 runestaves only worked for arcane casters and were powered with arcane spells but I would drop that requirement
- in PF I might consider them to be rods instead of actual staves.
- I don't recall how they were priced - I have only some old note that runestaff of fire had price of 8,400 as compared to 17,000-something for containing the same spells staff of fire. IIRC the runestaves listed in the book were all based on regular staves.