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</Off Topic Rant> It would be really nice if paizo could add in an option to include a polling system into threads. It would allow us and them to gauge interest in an idea or topic much easier in larger threads </endrant>
Ok now on topic, so the question is, what is your favorite sub-system of magic from 3.5/pathfinder. Examples being: Words of Power (UM), Binding (ToM), Shadowcasting (ToM), Melding (Magic of Incarnum), Psionics/Power Point system (Psionics Handbook and Expanded), ect.
My personal favorites are Binding, Melding, and the power point system. The Power Point System I feel works MUCH better with the concept of the sorcerer over the current Pseudo-Vancian System that sorcerers use now. I mean, it seems weird that a sorcerer is going about like "Oh, I only have so many level 3 spells left, but I still have plenty level 4 spells!" when they are supposed to be able to cast magic from a personal "well" and it come innately to them.
A good point on the sorcerer, though I'd rather see them have a system similar to the grace pool used by the Priest by Glen Taylor Games.
What is my favorite sub-system of magic? Well I do really like Dreamscared's Psionic power points, but I prefer to keep that tied to psychic powers. I maybe jumping the gun because it isn't out yet, but the system proposed for Spheres of Power really looks like it will become an all time favorite for me.
I haven't heard about Spheres of Power. What is it supposed to be like?
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My favorite is the Riven Magic system introduced in the super genius games Riven Mage. It breaks magic down to basic effects, like magical blasts, defenses, boosting skills, moving faster or healing, that the caster can pour more or less power into for greater or lesser effects. It reminds me of a dresden files sort of interpretation of magic and I like it a lot.
I haven't heard about Spheres of Power. What is it supposed to be like?
Basically you have different Spheres of Power (Time, Destruction, Death, Animation, etc.) that each have twenty-five or so powers/spells. Spellcasters choose these like a rouge does talents, and casters also gain a arcane pool. You can spend these points to cast your spells with different effects, although it looks like each Sphere is going to have a spell that is effectively a cantrip that is, you know, useful.
I actually do like the Riven Mage pdf (I have most all Super Genius Games products). They ahve a very new and interesting feel to them and they are actually pretty well balanced.
Hm, that seems very interesting I have to check it out. Do you know which publisher is doing it?
It was a kickstarter that just got funded at the start of september, if you search kickstarter you'll find it though.
Psionics, though I really want to try out WoP.
Drop Dead Studios
ToB's maneuvers. Not big on per day mechanics. I also happen to prefer Psionic's power points to spontaneous/prepared vancian casting.
I like the concepts brought up in robert jordan's wheel of time series. for several years a gaming group I was in played magic in a variation of his themes (though I didn't know it at the time). Magic isn't a tool, it's a flood, a tsunami of power that you have to battle to live through casting. It's a torrent you have to give yourself over to, for resisting it will only make it go wild.
We generated a point system wherein you could spread yourself thin and cast alot of weak spells, or focus your points into making some spells powerful, or access higher level spells. you could be a one trick pony, or save up to purchase the big bad ones. we also had a mechanic in the game to stunt cast spells (use magic outside the box) and turn those spells into normally available for the character to use/teach.
I don't think I've seen a system yet that fulfills all my wants/needs as a magic user, and just default to the vancian progression as the easiest way through.
lulz that would be unfortunate.
Psionic Power Points for sure. Real easy to use, and it's not vancian.
I like the concepts brought up in robert jordan's wheel of time series. for several years a gaming group I was in played magic in a variation of his themes (though I didn't know it at the time). Magic isn't a tool, it's a flood, a tsunami of power that you have to battle to live through casting. It's a torrent you have to give yourself over to, for resisting it will only make it go wild.
We generated a point system wherein you could spread yourself thin and cast alot of weak spells, or focus your points into making some spells powerful, or access higher level spells. you could be a one trick pony, or save up to purchase the big bad ones. we also had a mechanic in the game to stunt cast spells (use magic outside the box) and turn those spells into normally available for the character to use/teach.
I don't think I've seen a system yet that fulfills all my wants/needs as a magic user, and just default to the vancian progression as the easiest way through.
If you're interested, Wheel of Time has a hardback RPG system book. I've got it, and the channeling system is fairly interesting.
That said... I have yet to find one that I have to say is a favorite. I'm dieing to try out the Words of Power system...
Does anyone think it'd be too convoluted to give spell casting classes their own casting mechanics? there would be overlap of course, but still.
WoP needs more love.
More words that you can combine would be nice. I hate how most of the words work with one or two target words.
Psionic Power Points because they are easy to use, i also like Bo9S maneuvers, Shadowcasting, Invocations, and Binding. because i like the flavors.
I've always been in love with the 3.0/3.5 Chaos Magic system from Mongoose Publishing. Honestly one of my favourite ways of showing magic in a d20 system.
I just wish I could actually use it, bought both books, and no GM has ever let me use them.
Awhile ago I patched together a magic system based on Roger Zelazny's description of magic in the latter half of the Amber saga.
WoP needs more love.
More words that you can combine would be nice. I hate how most of the words work with one or two target words.
So TRUE!!!!!
Ok now on topic, so the question is, what is your favorite sub-system of magic from 3.5/pathfinder. Examples being: Words of Power (UM), Binding (ToM), Shadowcasting (ToM), Melding (Magic of Incarnum), Psionics/Power Point system (Psionics Handbook and Expanded), ect.
My favourite remains Vancian / Pseudo Vancian. As the default subsystem, it isn't an alternative sub-system, but it is a magic sub-system nonetheless (although I don't like the Pathfinder-ish concept of infinite magic; it goes against the Vancian principle that magic is packaged as spells, and that spells are a finite resource...)
For me, the "Oh, I only have so many level 3 spells left, but I still have plenty level 4 spells!" is not a weird bug, it's the way magic works, and I like the fact that magic has its own arcane quirks.
(btw, there nothing preventing you from casting 3rd level spells with your 4th level spell slots)
As for it "not making sense", I find it to be very similar to the quantum atomic model with "spell slots" acting like orbitals. Back in college, we didn't refer to it as Vancian system but Valencian system...
If the default magic sub-system needs to be excluded, I think my favourite so far is the UM words of power. It changes a lot in the perception of magic - perhaps so much that not many groups are ready to adopt it - but the concept is intriguing and inspiring.
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Ok now on topic, so the question is, what is your favorite sub-system of magic from 3.5/pathfinder. Examples being: Words of Power (UM), Binding (ToM), Shadowcasting (ToM), Melding (Magic of Incarnum), Psionics/Power Point system (Psionics Handbook and Expanded), ect.
Definitely the Psionics Power Point system. Dreamscarred did an excellent job updating it for Pathfinder. In general, I prefer spell points over vancian casting.
Second favorite would be binding.
I like World Tree, which has Verbs (Create, Destroy, Change, Know, Heal, Control, and Sustain) and Nouns (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Plant, Magic, Illusion, Mind, Body, Spirit, Time and Space). It makes some sense to me to have a list of substances as well as what you can do to those substances.
After that I like spell points.
I unfortunately haven't tested this type of system out, but I like the idea of creating the spell you want at the time so these are my top three. They are all skill based
Mythic Earth EN publishing, love it simple and quite cool
Monte Cooks World of Darkness White Wolf?, it even has some of the familiar D&D/F spells stat'ed out.
True Sorcery Mongoose? A bit too complex but great potential
I think they have real potential as the crafting of a spell (range, effect damage etc) is totally up to the caster which generates a Difficulty Number, roll over it boom spell, each have a "drain" aspect to limit unlimited spell use. For game play purposes figuring your favorite spells before hand is encouraged.
So TRUE!!!!!WoP needs more love.
More words that you can combine would be nice. I hate how most of the words work with one or two target words.
I second the trueness!
Words of Power have alot of potential and allow for some awesome fun, it just needs more support.
Words of Power have alot of potential and allow for some awesome fun, it just needs more support.
Unfortunately, that seems to be the order of things, and makes me wonder why they even bother with alternate casting systems. The are just "create and abandon", and basically seem to be wastes of time and space. It is why I don't even bother looking at the alternatives to the default Vancian. WotC was bad with this, and Paizo isn't much better, but I will give them this: they don't have the number of alternate spell systems that 3rd edition did within 5 years.
As for me, I have always liked the idea of a spell point system over a spell/day system. Of course, I was introduced to RPGs with NES games (Final Fantasy the biggest one), where mana points were the norm.
I had always wanted to try out a mana point casting system, and include mana potions similar to the cure potions, that way players won't feel like they need to rest after each encounter for the day. They could just recharge their mana and continue on. But trying to figure how what the ingredients for the potions would be, is a bit tough. Do I make them Alchemical items, or Magic potions? If Alchemical, how simple or complex do I make the ingredients, and would they be rare or fairly common? If Magical potions, what spell would need to be created to facilitate mana regeneration? Would a spell that restores mana be a bit OP and absurd, being abused and making mana potions obsolete?
I don't have the Dreamscarred Psionics book, so can't really look at their power point system (never got the 3rd edition psionics books either). Not sure how different it is from Unearthed Arcana's spell point system. Did that book even have such a thing? I can't remember.