I've always thought that as wizards and other spellcasters get more skilled and powerful, they become less and less reliant on things like chants and gestures. While there are feats which can eliminate these these things, it isn't the same as something that comes naturally over time. So, I thought I'd slap something together in order to add that missing flavor to character growth.
Here's my rough idea:
Each component would have a point value. Material components (excluding costly components) are 1 point, Verbal components are 2 points, and Somatic components are 3 points.
The three highest spell levels you can cast are handled normally. For each level below those, you can reduce the required components by an additional point. So, if you can cast level 4 spells, you gain the ability to ignore material/focus components on 1st level spells. If you can cast level 5 spells, you can ignore material components on second level spells, and either verbal or material components (but not both) on 1st level spells.
So, a full caster capable of throwing around 9th level spells would look like this
- 1st level spells - ignore VSM
- 2nd level spells - ignore VS, VM, SM
- 3rd level spells - ignore VM, SM
- 4th level spells - ignore VM, S
- 5th level spells - ignore V, M
- 6th level spells - ignore M
- 7th level spells - No change
- 8th level spells - No change
- 9th level spells - No change
I know, spellcasters don't need to made even stronger, but this is really just for flavor. What do you think, does this seem reasonable?
I don't think there's anything wrong with the idea from a flavour perspective, but it really just screams to me --- why? Why give spellcasters free silent/still metamagics, when those metamagics already serve this purpose without drastically increasing caster power? It just seems like an extra subsystem to remember for a subset of classes that really don't need the boost.
But yeah, from a purely verisimilitude perspective, it works fine, so if you're set on it I don't see it as causing any issue in that department.
*edit*
Worth mentioning that metamagic rods also basically serve this purpose already - and at least have action economy and cost limitations.
While there are feats in place to accomplish these, it does seem weird to me that a high level wizard in a tight spot might not be able to cast a low level spell unless he prepared a special version of it. I like the intent of what you propose, but not so much the mechanics. If I were to make something like this, I wouldn't allow a special casting of the highest spell level or two, but lower levels could. I further say that it increases the casting time to a full-round action and that the caster level is lowered, depending on how many components are being ignored. I would also stipulate that a spell must always have at least one component remaining. If it still seems to easy to do, you could still require that the wizard still acquire the appropriate metamagic feat, but does not need to prep the spell ahead of time.
In the Harry Potter series, all wizards use a wand to perform the somatic component of their spells and maybe to aim it, but sometimes you see one cast a spell without a wand. It is considered difficult to do, and they seem to be limited in what kind of spells can be cast. I'm not suggesting that PF follow the Harry Potter example, but it can provide a visual of what's going on.
I don't think there's anything wrong with the idea from a flavour perspective, but it really just screams to me --- why? Why give spellcasters free silent/still metamagics, when those metamagics already serve this purpose without drastically increasing caster power? It just seems like an extra subsystem to remember for a subset of classes that really don't need the boost.
I don't really want to give them a boost, I just thought it would make sense and make it feel a little more like your character is growing in skill and power, rather than just arbitrarily gaining access to better spells.
And if I was running a game that used this, I'd just have a chart on an index card for reference. No need to think about it in most situations anyway, just the unusual circumstances where components come up.
But yeah, from a purely verisimilitude perspective, it works fine, so if you're set on it I don't see it as causing any issue in that department.
I'm not set on it, it was really just a shower thought which I wanted to share, and maybe see what other people think.
Worth mentioning that metamagic rods also basically serve this purpose already - and at least have action economy and cost limitations.
Also true, but not really what I was going for. Having a rod doesn't make it seem like you are more skilled or powerful, just better equipped. That'd be fine if my goal was purely mechanical, but all I really want is to make the rules match my expectations.
While there are feats in place to accomplish these, it does seem weird to me that a high level wizard in a tight spot might not be able to cast a low level spell unless he prepared a special version of it. I like the intent of what you propose, but not so much the mechanics. If I were to make something like this, I wouldn't allow a special casting of the highest spell level or two, but lower levels could. I further say that it increases the casting time to a full-round action and that the caster level is lowered, depending on how many components are being ignored. I would also stipulate that a spell must always have at least one component remaining. If it still seems to easy to do, you could still require that the wizard still acquire the appropriate metamagic feat, but does not need to prep the spell ahead of time.
Yeah, I was just spitballing, which is why I went with very low level spells instead of trying to balance it with reduced caster levels, reduced DCs, increased casting times, limited uses per day, or any other trade offs. I would be OK with something that works that way too.
In the Harry Potter series, all wizards use a wand to perform the somatic component of their spells and maybe to aim it, but sometimes you see one cast a spell without a wand. It is considered difficult to do, and they seem to be limited in what kind of spells can be cast. I'm not suggesting that PF follow the Harry Potter example, but it can provide a visual of what's going on.
I think what probably inspired me most was my recent love affair with Dresden Files, as over the series Harry not only expands his magical repertoire, but also becomes less and less dependent on tools and props, particularly with the his most tried and true spells.
That and it just seems odd to me that a wizard can say screw it and create his own universe with blackjack and hookers, but still can't cast magic missile without waving his hands and muttering gibberish.