1st ed cool idea, unliked execution. could they work in 2nd ed?

[sirhobo33]

I keep thinking about some of the ideas or classes that sound cool but never really panned out in the first edition. Immediately, what springs to mind is the Words of Power. I like the flexibility and the idea of the magic. It was never a sensible option. It was quickly forgotten. which is sad because I haven't found a system that attempted the same "true name magic" like that again. I don't know if it would work, or if it did, would it be a class or an alternate casting again?

I also thought of the Shifter when I was writing that. It was not the most exciting way to handle a shape-changing class, and maybe it could work better with how class features work in 2nd ed?

Any suggestions on how to convert, where to start, or other forgotten systems that need it?

[Tactical Drongo]

I think people tried already to convert the shifter. The way pf2 handles its math and abilities, it should be theoretically, easy enough to pull off. Give abilities to shapeshift to get new attacks and traits and special actions.

Words of power was something I also found rather interesting,but is very hard to integrate as straightup alternative system. One would have to completely rework how the system interacts with spell slots.
On top of that, and probably the more pressing issue, is that you have to design a system that can encompass most of the spells already existing *and* then it would have to be updated with new words every few books
I never played a powerword caster, but the lack of updates was likely one of the biggest problems the class faced (outside of eventual balance problems, but pf1 and balance was a complicated relationship at best)

[WatersLethe]

I think it might be worth trying to make a Words of Power system that doesn't try to compete directly with regular spellcasting. Sort of like how Kineticist gets by.

[Tactical Drongo]

that actually reminds me of an expanded dnd 3.5 class

The truespeaker - was a mage, but used a skill check instead of spellslots. Repeating the same spell on the same target within a short time increased the DC, but they were basically an all day caster.

Could easily be coupled to Class DC in 2e.

And that in turn reminds me on the expanded book incarnum, where basically magic 'juice' could be shaped into pseudo magic items that basically all had a cantrip or passive effect and a strong active spell like effect if you undo the 'item'.