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Possible new spheres:
Null Magic
I made one of these for my home game. It included various extra tricks on top of a base 'dispel' ability. Spell resistance, the ability to heal when resisting hostile spells, attacks that drain spell points, destroying spells explosively and making casting more difficult for your enemies (or more unpredictable).
I made sure it wasn't a 'no fun allowed' list. Rather, it's to expand on the ordinary counterspell feat and make it a lot more varied and interesting.
I suspect that you'll be seeing things like this in the Protection handbook. Protection is basically abjuration, which is the school dispel magic falls into, and anti-magic field is already a protection ability. Currently, Protection is the only book that does not have a writer assigned, however.
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What I want is simple, a hardcover of spheres of power that includes the Expanded Options plus all "basic" handbooks.
I don't know how far along Conjuration is, if at all, but I would like to see an Advanced Talent that removes or refunds magic talents from the Conjuration Sphere in order to grant your summoned Companion class levels instead of Companion features and Talents. Basically, the Cohort-only version of Leadership.
The Companion never gains Companion levels and abilities, and never qualifies for Form talents beyond perhaps Lingering Companion. You also would be unable to take the Extra Companion talent due to how powerful this would make your classed Companion. It would still be under the restriction of no Conjuration Sphere if it gained magic.
Would it be possible for the Life Sphere to get some sort of offensive ability where it overcharges a target with healing energy?
Like putting too much air into a balloon!
Just a random thought I had.
I really like Spheres of Power and I would probably enjoy expansions to any of the Spheres.
I'm not sure how many people entirely replace Vancian with SoP, but I hope and pray that interesting thematic options come up, but the broken spells of Pathfinder stay far away.
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Would it be possible for the Life Sphere to get some sort of offensive ability where it overcharges a target with healing energy?
Like putting too much air into a balloon!
Just a random thought I had.
It's been suggested before. Back in 1e, if you visited the plane of positive energy, you healed 2d6 hit points per round until you reached double your maximum hit points and exploded. It worked there, because everyone there attacked you the same way, but in a normal situation, if you're trying to kill someone by healing them to death, you're actively working against the rest of your party.
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A conversion for the Alchemist and Investigator classes, consideration for Alchemy, mutagens, and bombs with maybe even its own Sphere.Considering alchemy normally just means "casting" spells as extracts, it seems to me like Skilled Casting (Craft: Alchemy) as a casting tradition might have that covered, and it has a nicely chaotic feel for your mad scientist types as they're brewing up magic on the spot, as it were.
There is a conversion for alchemists in the nature book.
As you said, alchemy is really a tradition, so not much else is required.
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I really like Spheres of Power and I would probably enjoy expansions to any of the Spheres.
I'm not sure how many people entirely replace Vancian with SoP, but I hope and pray that interesting thematic options come up, but the broken spells of Pathfinder stay far away.
Yeah, mutation is sort of under alteration, and disease usually falls under death for thematic reasons, even though as modern humans we know bacteria is a form of life.
It's been suggested before. Back in 1e, if you visited the plane of positive energy, you healed 2d6 hit points per round until you reached double your maximum hit points and exploded. It worked there, because everyone there attacked you the same way, but in a normal situation, if you're trying to kill someone by healing them to death, you're actively working against the rest of your party.Would it be possible for the Life Sphere to get some sort of offensive ability where it overcharges a target with healing energy?
Like putting too much air into a balloon!
Just a random thought I had.
Perhaps it could place some sort of debuff on the target besides just healing them, so that you aren't actively working against the party so much?
I'm not gonna lie, I might be fond of the 'get a summoned companion and have it learn all the healing powers for you' route. XD
... I never thought of that. Wow, so for two talents (extra companion and magical companion) you can have a healer that covers most status conditions.
So basically, when the Life Sphere book comes out it is going to need to have some sort of way to get multiple healing powers in a way that is just as efficient. Maybe something that gives the ability to remove multiple conditions, but doesn't boost your hit point healing ability?
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Possible new spheres:
Null Magic
I made one of these for my home game. It included various extra tricks on top of a base 'dispel' ability. Spell resistance, the ability to heal when resisting hostile spells, attacks that drain spell points, destroying spells explosively and making casting more difficult for your enemies (or more unpredictable).
I made sure it wasn't a 'no fun allowed' list. Rather, it's to expand on the ordinary counterspell feat and make it a lot more varied and interesting.
Technomancy
More of a niche thing, dealing with high-tech settings. Interface with machines, project your consciousness through the internet, recharge technological equipment, etc.
Null magic is actually an idea I had for an archetype. Not sure how well it works as a sphere, given that the counterspell line is already feat based. Figured a mageknight base, but not sure it fits in any of the books I'm writing currently, maybe wild magic. Protection might fit better since that has spell ward, which would be a good starting point, but I'm not writing that (no one is presently)
As for technomancy, I don't know if that is a sphere or an optional rule set. Are the tech rules popular enough to support it? This one might need to be filed for 'after starfinder' releases. I'm making a note.
I don't know how far along Conjuration is, if at all, but I would like to see an Advanced Talent that removes or refunds magic talents from the Conjuration Sphere in order to grant your summoned Companion class levels instead of Companion features and Talents. Basically, the Cohort-only version of Leadership.
The Companion never gains Companion levels and abilities, and never qualifies for Form talents beyond perhaps Lingering Companion. You also would be unable to take the Extra Companion talent due to how powerful this would make your classed Companion. It would still be under the restriction of no Conjuration Sphere if it gained magic.
Hmm. Conjuration is hovering on the verge of being playtest ready, but still has room for content. Granting class levels to a companion...I'll have to think about that. There are options to make the companion a better caster and more options to mimic some class features (rage, ki, etc.), but I don't know if class levels could be balanced. I did plan on rules for treating a stand-alone companion as a class, still working out kinks.
I'm not gonna lie, I might be fond of the 'get a summoned companion and have it learn all the healing powers for you' route. XD... I never thought of that. Wow, so for two talents (extra companion and magical companion) you can have a healer that covers most status conditions.
So basically, when the Life Sphere book comes out it is going to need to have some sort of way to get multiple healing powers in a way that is just as efficient. Maybe something that gives the ability to remove multiple conditions, but doesn't boost your hit point healing ability?
Maybe an ability similar to the protean shifter of spiritualism hedgewitch to grab talents on the fly somewhere? That reminds me that I need to read through the Life handbook, haven't done that yet. Too many books!
Perhaps products that follow themes instead of specific spheres or even hybrid spheres. Could do a take on Sin magic making unique spheres for those.
I'm playing in a game that has a homebrew technomancy sphere. We tried to make sure it synergised with creation and enhancement and didn't obsolete them.
Technomancy does not repair, create or boost technology (creation and enhancement can do that). Instead, it involves data manipulation, object control and abilities like converting spell points into technological item energy points and stuff. It can also allow damaged or ancient technology function as if it was new for a short time. We've been playing with the idea of communing with 'machine spirits' as well, in the manner of such spells as 'Stone Tell'.
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As someone who loves Mythic, I've love to see Mythic Sphere stuff.
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Is there anywhere to find a pile of NPCs of various levels?
Working on it. Keep getting myself sidetracked doing other stuff. I also am pulling some that I had done to use in a Skybourne book. Stat blocks seem to take far longer than they ought to.
As someone who loves Mythic, I've love to see Mythic Sphere stuff.
A couple of use have fiddled with it, but I don't believe anyone has decided to give the push to go all the way with it yet. It will happen, but its a little ways off yet.
Is there anywhere to find a pile of NPCs of various levels?Working on it. Keep getting myself sidetracked doing other stuff. I also am pulling some that I had done to use in a Skybourne book. Stat blocks seem to take far longer than they ought to.
As someone who loves Mythic, I've love to see Mythic Sphere stuff.A couple of use have fiddled with it, but I don't believe anyone has decided to give the push to go all the way with it yet. It will happen, but its a little ways off yet.
Yeah, I've tinkered some. Adapting some Archmage stuff, and coming up with the idea of using mythic for greater talents, or multiple specializations. Mythic Spehere feats. Doing a mythic version of each talent would be excessive. :)
Hey, but now I know it is being thought about, that is really nice.
List of things I want to see (that aren't being planned) - In order of preference and likelihood:
* Sphere archetypes for remaining spell using classes (notably the Occult classes).
* Spheres of Mythic.
* Spellbook of Spheres. NOT an spheres spell adaption of normal spells, but new spells built with the spellcasting system. Maybe a "contribute a spell" to the fans or what - but a book of sphere specific spells would be really nice - something that shows off some of the things the system can pull off in spell form.
* Sphere archetypes for some popular 3rd party classes- although some are obviated by the system itself (RGG Magister and Kobold's Theurge as examples). But that is expansions on limited base, so it makes sense that won't happen, or be very slow - although adaptions of some of the Dreamscarred stuff - Sphere versions of Psychic Warrior would be cool, but that is already sort of covered.
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* Sphere archetypes for remaining spell using classes (notably the Occult classes).
-Medium has one. Kineticist is unlikely to get one, a few people have tried and gave up since it ended up being the elementalist every time. There was a occultist that was partially written. Spiritualist I may put in conjuration if I come up with something I like. Mesmerist is a lot like the eliciter. Psychic probably wouldn't be too hard but I've never looked at the class closely to say. Vigilantes of Skybourne had a bunch of vigilante SoP casting options and conjuration may have a vigilante archetype. Not sure what other classes are missing, aside from prestige classes.
* Spheres of Mythic.
-one of these days. I figure mythic augments for each sphere but not each talent. The path would probably be a mix of archmage and hierophant.
* Spellbook of Spheres. NOT an spheres spell adaption of normal spells, but new spells built with the spellcasting system. Maybe a "contribute a spell" to the fans or what - but a book of sphere specific spells would be really nice - something that shows off some of the things the system can pull off in spell form.
-I assume you mean spellcrafting? Hmm. Interesting idea.
* Sphere archetypes for some popular 3rd party classes- although some are obviated by the system itself (RGG Magister and Kobold's Theurge as examples). But that is expansions on limited base, so it makes sense that won't happen, or be very slow - although adaptions of some of the Dreamscarred stuff - Sphere versions of Psychic Warrior would be cool, but that is already sort of covered.
-I don't know too many 3PP classes apart from DSP and SoP. Some psionic classes could work, PoW I don't think needs casting archetypes (and I don't think they devs want them have casting archetypes), akashic...guru and daevic might be workable as sphere casters, vizier maybe. They are all invested in veilweaving to a degree so I'm not sure about translating them.
*
* Spellbook of Spheres. NOT an spheres spell adaption of normal spells, but new spells built with the spellcasting system. Maybe a "contribute a spell" to the fans or what - but a book of sphere specific spells would be really nice - something that shows off some of the things the system can pull off in spell form.
-I assume you mean spellcrafting? Hmm. Interesting idea.
Yeah. I get the terminology wrong in my enthusiasm.
I am a huge fan of the HERO system - a point based system where you put together powers, with enhancements and limitations to create the end result. They sold books of spells prebuilt using their system.
An older product "Elements of magic" for 3.x was a listing of effect types, targets, and enhancements that you built spells with (when I first read Sphere I thought someone read that and decided to do it correctly). No real support.
If there is a system for building spells, I want books with hundreds (or thousands) of spells built using that system. Spellcrafting does that, so of course I would love to see examples. I love the ones the individual sphere books have had.
I thought open call idea, as there is a formal structure for spellcrafting, so lots of people (with lots of different ideas or approaches) could make spells using that. I know editing would be a nightmare (making sure rules language would be correct, and that the spells used the system correctly) but could be really cool - even if only a community/fan project.
* Sphere archetypes for remaining spell using classes (notably the Occult classes).
-Medium has one. Kineticist is unlikely to get one, a few people have tried and gave up since it ended up being the elementalist every time. There was a occultist that was partially written. Spiritualist I may put in conjuration if I come up with something I like. Mesmerist is a lot like the eliciter. Psychic probably wouldn't be too hard but I've never looked at the class closely to say. Vigilantes of Skybourne had a bunch of vigilante SoP casting options and conjuration may have a vigilante archetype. Not sure what other classes are missing, aside from prestige classes.
Haven't picked up the Vigilante book - I'll have to now. Good points on the rest. I was mostly looking at "archtype for X" and hadn't realized that a number of them are not needed. I prefer the elementalist over the Kinitecist by far anyway. My second sphere character build was one. :)
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Haven't picked up the Vigilante book - I'll have to now. Good points on the rest. I was mostly looking at "archtype for X" and hadn't realized that a number of them are not needed. I prefer the elementalist over the Kinitecist by far anyway. My second sphere character build was one. :)* Sphere archetypes for remaining spell using classes (notably the Occult classes).
-Medium has one. Kineticist is unlikely to get one, a few people have tried and gave up since it ended up being the elementalist every time. There was a occultist that was partially written. Spiritualist I may put in conjuration if I come up with something I like. Mesmerist is a lot like the eliciter. Psychic probably wouldn't be too hard but I've never looked at the class closely to say. Vigilantes of Skybourne had a bunch of vigilante SoP casting options and conjuration may have a vigilante archetype. Not sure what other classes are missing, aside from prestige classes.
I am fond of the elementalist as well. First SoP class I ever built (it was in the free preview PDF). Been attached to them ever since. Writing the Destroyer's Handbook didn't hurt either. ;)
I'll pitch the spell book idea to the other authors...one more group book for me to curate. Crap.
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The Spherecaster's obituary: One hundred Sphere NPCs, five of each level.
Grimoire of the Spherecaster: A ton of spellcrafted spells and rituals for NPCs and players.
Spherecaster's Hazards: Hazards for combat encounters, both mundane and non-magical. Stuff that makes players pause and completely reconsider how to use their sphere powers.
Well, maybe if you used Alteration on your Companion...? Or it taught that to itself via Magical Companion? That's workable, right?
I gave my last companion the Alteration Sphere with the Beast Soul and Lycanthropy Drawbacks so it could pick up a couple extra talents right away. Swarm Transformation would be good.
It's been suggested before. Back in 1e, if you visited the plane of positive energy, you healed 2d6 hit points per round until you reached double your maximum hit points and exploded. It worked there, because everyone there attacked you the same way, but in a normal situation, if you're trying to kill someone by healing them to death, you're actively working against the rest of your party.Would it be possible for the Life Sphere to get some sort of offensive ability where it overcharges a target with healing energy?
Like putting too much air into a balloon!
Just a random thought I had.
Invigorating Blast (blast type)
You may spend a spell point to have your destructive blast deal positive energy damage to non-living creatures using d4 dice instead of d6. Living creatures instead of taking damage gain an equal number of temporary hit points (which cannot exceed their maximum hit points) which last for 1 hour, but also must make a Fortitude save or become dazed for 1 round.
Well Destruction has this, which I now realize is almost exactly what I suggested.
So if Destruction can have it, even though it's "working against the party"...
Shrug. Seems like it'd fit into Life way more than Destruction.
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It's been suggested before. Back in 1e, if you visited the plane of positive energy, you healed 2d6 hit points per round until you reached double your maximum hit points and exploded. It worked there, because everyone there attacked you the same way, but in a normal situation, if you're trying to kill someone by healing them to death, you're actively working against the rest of your party.Would it be possible for the Life Sphere to get some sort of offensive ability where it overcharges a target with healing energy?
Like putting too much air into a balloon!
Just a random thought I had.
Invigorating Blast (blast type)
You may spend a spell point to have your destructive blast deal positive energy damage to non-living creatures using d4 dice instead of d6. Living creatures instead of taking damage gain an equal number of temporary hit points (which cannot exceed their maximum hit points) which last for 1 hour, but also must make a Fortitude save or become dazed for 1 round.
Well Destruction has this, which I now realize is almost exactly what I suggested.
So if Destruction can have it, even though it's "working against the party"...
Shrug. Seems like it'd fit into Life way more than Destruction.
Invigorating blast doesn't kill you by healing you to death, it's an attack vs undead (though the wording suggests it works on animated creatures as well) which has some healing ability. Really, it's just Cure/Invigorate from Life sphere.
I personally have no problem with Life sphere having some means of doing damage. Others really despise the idea, however.