TheSteelRat
2007-05-14, 04:20 PM
Optional Spell Point System to Fix Casters
Generally speaking, I think most people on these boards would agree that a single casting of “Summon Elemental Monolith” or “Timestop,” etc. are worth significantly more than two castings of “Summon Monster V” or “Symbol of Pain.” Typically, once a Wizard is Level 20, they have at the very least the ability to cast each level of spells 4 times a day. Since this is limiting in some ways, WotC introduced an alternate system based on Power Points, namely the Spell Point system in Unearthed Arcana. The broken-ness of Wizards expands exponentially in this system, with the ability to drastically increase their # of high-spell-level castings.
I think though it can be used to reduce the power-level of primary spell casters by using an alternate version of this. By increasing the Spell Point cost of spells, it would reduce their # of castings per day, and hence force an increased reliance on lower-level spells, instead of throwing out 4 9th-Level, 4 8th level, then 4 7th level, etc.
First a note on Spell Points. Sorcerers & Wizards don’t get as many as they should. Compare the list given in Unearthed Arcana to Psions. They have a distinct disadvantage in the Spell Point category, which is especially damaging to Sorcerers, as this is their primary benefit. I suggest using a direct Spell/Day to Spell Point Conversion, using the OLD Spell Points/Level system. The following table outlines this, labeled “Total”. In fact, that’s how the attribute conversion table works that’s listed in Unearthed Arcana. They just didn’t do that for class-spells. As you’ll note, there’s a decent increase between the U.A. Spell Points and the new Total.
Sorcerer Spell Point Table
{table]
Class Level |
SOR – Total |
SOR – UA |
SOR Total vs UA |
Psion | SOR Total vs Psion
1|
3 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1
2 |
4 |
5 |
-1 |
6 |
-2
3 |
5 |
8 |
-3 |
11 |
-6
4 |
15 |
14 |
1 |
17 |
-2
5 |
18 |
19 |
-1 |
25 |
-7
6 |
36 |
29 |
7 |
35 |
1
7 |
44 |
37 |
7 |
46 |
-2
8 |
70 |
51 |
19 |
58 |
12
9 |
82 |
63 |
19 |
72 |
10
10 |
116 |
81 |
35 |
88 |
28
11 |
132 |
97 |
35 |
106 |
26
12 |
174 |
115 |
59 |
126 |
48
13 |
194 |
131 |
63 |
147 |
47
14 |
244 |
149 |
95 |
170 |
74
15 |
268 |
165 |
103 |
195 |
73
16 |
326 |
183 |
143 |
221 |
105
17 |
354 |
199 |
155 |
250 |
104
18 |
420 |
217 |
203 |
280 |
140
19 |
452 |
233 |
219 |
311 |
141
20 |
486 |
249 |
237 |
343 |
143 [/table]
Wizard Spell Point Table
{table]
Class Level |
WIZ – Total |
WIZ – UA |
WIZ Total vs UA |
Psion |
WIZ Total vs Psion
1 |
1 |
2 |
-1 |
2 |
-1
2 |
2 |
4 |
-2 |
6 |
-4
3 |
5 |
7 |
-2 |
11 |
-6
4 |
9 |
11 |
-2 |
17 |
-8
5 |
14 |
16 |
-2 |
25 |
-11
6 |
22 |
24 |
-2 |
35 |
-13
7 |
30 |
33 |
-3 |
46 |
-16
8 |
42 |
44 |
-2 |
58 |
-16
9 |
54 |
56 |
-2 |
72 |
-18
10 |
70 |
72 |
-2 |
88 |
-18
11 |
86 |
88 |
-2 |
106 |
-20
12 |
106 |
104 |
2 |
126 |
-20
13 |
126 |
120 |
6 |
147 |
-21
14 |
150 |
136 |
14 |
170 |
-20
15 |
174 |
152 |
22 |
195 |
-21
16 |
202 |
168 |
34 |
221 |
-19
17 |
230 |
184 |
46 |
250 |
-20
18 |
262 |
200 |
62 |
280 |
-18
19 |
292 |
216 |
76 |
311 |
-19
20 |
324 |
232 |
92 |
343 |
-19 [/table]
Now here’s where we get to the actual limiting factors. Change the Spell Point Cost of different spell levels. The specific conversion I’m suggesting is just squaring the spell level, and making that the cost in spell points.
Spell Point Cost Table
{table]
Spell Level |
OLD System |
NEW System
1 |
1 |
1
2 |
3 |
4
3 |
5 |
9
4 |
7 |
16
5 |
9 |
25
6 |
11 |
36
7 |
13 |
49
8 |
15 |
64
9 |
17 |
81 [/table]
Generally, this means a caster would be able to cast multiple high-level spells, but that’s all they’d be able to do all day. By contrast, if they’re just casting lower level spells, they’ll be able to do so for an extended period of time before they’re out of spell points.
What is the actual effect of this in terms of casting their highest level spells? Below is table comparing the maximum # of castings of their highest level spell, for each spell point sum (new Total suggested in this article, U.A.’s table, and Psion), for the OLD Spell Points/Level Cost, and the NEW Spell Points Squared Cost.
Sorcerer – Total Castings of Highest Spell / Day By Class Level
{table]
Level - Spell LvL |
OLD - Total |
OLD - U.A. |
OLD - Psion |
NEW - Total |
NEW - U.A. |
NEW – Psion
1 - 1 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
2.0 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
2.0
2 - 1 |
4.0 |
5.0 |
6.0 |
4.0 |
5.0 |
6.0
3 - 1 |
5.0 |
8.0 |
11.0 |
5.0 |
8.0 |
11.0
4 - 2 |
5.0 |
4.7 |
5.7 |
3.8 |
3.5 |
4.3
5 - 2 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
8.3 |
4.5 |
4.8 |
6.3
6 - 3 |
7.2 |
5.8 |
7.0 |
4.0 |
3.2 |
3.9
7 - 3 |
8.8 |
7.4 |
9.2 |
4.9 |
4.1 |
5.1
8 - 4 |
10.0 |
7.3 |
8.3 |
4.4 |
3.2 |
3.6
9 - 4 |
11.7 |
9.0 |
10.3 |
5.1 |
3.9 |
4.5
10 - 5 |
12.9 |
9.0 |
9.8 |
4.6 |
3.2 |
3.5
11 - 5 |
14.7 |
10.8 |
11.8 |
5.3 |
3.9 |
4.2
12 - 6 |
15.8 |
10.5 |
11.5 |
4.8 |
3.2 |
3.5
13 - 6 |
17.6 |
11.9 |
13.4 |
5.4 |
3.6 |
4.1
14 - 7 |
18.8 |
11.5 |
13.1 |
5.0 |
3.0 |
3.5
15 - 7 |
20.6 |
12.7 |
15.0 |
5.5 |
3.4 |
4.0
16 - 8 |
21.7 |
12.2 |
14.7 |
5.1 |
2.9 |
3.5
17 - 8 |
23.6 |
13.3 |
16.7 |
5.5 |
3.1 |
3.9
18 - 9 |
24.7 |
12.8 |
16.5 |
5.2 |
2.7 |
3.5
19 - 9 |
26.6 |
13.7 |
18.3 |
5.6 |
2.9 |
3.8
20 - 9 |
28.6 |
14.6 |
20.2 |
6.0 |
3.1 |
4.2[/table]
Wizard – Total Castings of Highest Spell / Day By Class Level
{table]
Level - Spell LvL |
OLD - Total |
OLD - U.A. |
OLD - Psion |
NEW - Total |
NEW - U.A. |
NEW - Psion
1 - 1 |
1.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
1.0 |
2.0 |
2.0
2 - 1 |
2.0 |
4.0 |
6.0 |
2.0 |
4.0 |
6.0
3 - 2 |
1.7 |
2.3 |
3.7 |
1.3 |
1.8 |
2.8
4 - 2 |
3.0 |
3.7 |
5.7 |
2.3 |
2.8 |
4.3
5 - 3 |
2.8 |
3.2 |
5.0 |
1.6 |
1.8 |
2.8
6 - 3 |
4.4 |
4.8 |
7.0 |
2.4 |
2.7 |
3.9
7 - 4 |
4.3 |
4.7 |
6.6 |
1.9 |
2.1 |
2.9
8 - 4 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
8.3 |
2.6 |
2.8 |
3.6
9 - 5 |
6.0 |
6.2 |
8.0 |
2.2 |
2.2 |
2.9
10 - 5 |
7.8 |
8.0 |
9.8 |
2.8 |
2.9 |
3.5
11 - 6 |
7.8 |
8.0 |
9.6 |
2.4 |
2.4 |
2.9
12 - 6 |
9.6 |
9.5 |
11.5 |
2.9 |
2.9 |
3.5
13 - 7 |
9.7 |
9.2 |
11.3 |
2.6 |
2.4 |
3.0
14 - 7 |
11.5 |
10.5 |
13.1 |
3.1 |
2.8 |
3.5
15 - 8 |
11.6 |
10.1 |
13.0 |
2.7 |
2.4 |
3.0
16 - 8 |
13.5 |
11.2 |
14.7 |
3.2 |
2.6 |
3.5
17 - 9 |
13.5 |
10.8 |
14.7 |
2.8 |
2.3 |
3.1
18 - 9 |
15.4 |
11.8 |
16.5 |
3.2 |
2.5 |
3.5
19 - 9 |
17.2 |
12.7 |
18.3 |
3.6 |
2.7 |
3.8
20 - 9 |
19.1 |
13.6 |
20.2 |
4.0 |
2.9 |
4.2[/table]
Under the old system, Sorcerers got 1 extra casting of their highest level spell than a Wizard. In this system, it returns to the 3/2 or better Ratio present in the normal spells/day casting, ignoring bonus spells.
Metamagic would work as normal under this system, increasing the spell’s level, and hence, power points required. An advantage of this system is that higher than 9th level spell metamagic could be possible (with DM’s Approval), simply continuing the formula. For example, an Extended Summon Monster IX would cost 100 Spell Points, while a Silent Stilled Maximized Time Stop would be 144 Spell Points. While this is asking for abuse, an optional Metamagic rule is possible – To meta-magic enhance a spell, it additional Spell Points equal to the original cost times the level multiplier. So, Extended Summon Monster IX would cost 162, and a Maximized time Stop would be 324.
Below is table comparing the two options. Option A = Traditional metamagic, increasing the spell cost by level. Option B = Spending an additional spell slot of the same level
Metamagic Spell Point Cost
{table]
Spell Level |
A) +1 |
A) +2 |
A) +3 |
B) +1 |
B) +2 |
B) +3
1 |
4 |
9 |
16 |
2 |
3 |
4
2 |
9 |
16 |
25 |
8 |
12 |
16
3 |
16 |
25 |
36 |
18 |
27 |
36
4 |
25 |
36 |
49 |
32 |
48 |
64
5 |
36 |
49 |
64 |
50 |
75 |
100
6 |
49 |
64 |
81 |
72 |
108 |
144
7 |
64 |
81 |
100 |
98 |
147 |
196
8 |
81 |
100 |
121 |
128 |
192 |
256
9 |
100 |
121 |
144 |
162 |
243 |
324[/table]
Optional Rule: Spell Point Regeneration
Instead of Casters spontaneously having full spell points after having 8 hours of rest and an hour to study/meditate, I would think that they should be able to regain spell points at a semi-hourly rate. Spell Points would regenerate a total of points equal to their Caster (or Character?) Level every 4 hours if engaged in activity, or 2 hours if sleeping/meditating. This means that
ISSUES WITH THIS CONCEPT
1. Balancing Spell Points / Caster Level
It eliminates the points/level balance concept that was allowed for under the old system. Given the example in Unearthed Arcana, a 3rd level Fireball will cost 9 Spell Points, while a 5th Level Cone of Cold will cost 25 Spell Points (nearly triple). The advantage at a higher level is that Cone of Cold does more damage overall (after 10th level, it becomes superior), and its damage shape is different than Fireball’s. I’m sure a mechanic could be invented to fulfill this role however.
Generally speaking, I think most people on these boards would agree that a single casting of “Summon Elemental Monolith” or “Timestop,” etc. are worth significantly more than two castings of “Summon Monster V” or “Symbol of Pain.” Typically, once a Wizard is Level 20, they have at the very least the ability to cast each level of spells 4 times a day. Since this is limiting in some ways, WotC introduced an alternate system based on Power Points, namely the Spell Point system in Unearthed Arcana. The broken-ness of Wizards expands exponentially in this system, with the ability to drastically increase their # of high-spell-level castings.
I think though it can be used to reduce the power-level of primary spell casters by using an alternate version of this. By increasing the Spell Point cost of spells, it would reduce their # of castings per day, and hence force an increased reliance on lower-level spells, instead of throwing out 4 9th-Level, 4 8th level, then 4 7th level, etc.
First a note on Spell Points. Sorcerers & Wizards don’t get as many as they should. Compare the list given in Unearthed Arcana to Psions. They have a distinct disadvantage in the Spell Point category, which is especially damaging to Sorcerers, as this is their primary benefit. I suggest using a direct Spell/Day to Spell Point Conversion, using the OLD Spell Points/Level system. The following table outlines this, labeled “Total”. In fact, that’s how the attribute conversion table works that’s listed in Unearthed Arcana. They just didn’t do that for class-spells. As you’ll note, there’s a decent increase between the U.A. Spell Points and the new Total.
Sorcerer Spell Point Table
{table]
Class Level |
SOR – Total |
SOR – UA |
SOR Total vs UA |
Psion | SOR Total vs Psion
1|
3 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1
2 |
4 |
5 |
-1 |
6 |
-2
3 |
5 |
8 |
-3 |
11 |
-6
4 |
15 |
14 |
1 |
17 |
-2
5 |
18 |
19 |
-1 |
25 |
-7
6 |
36 |
29 |
7 |
35 |
1
7 |
44 |
37 |
7 |
46 |
-2
8 |
70 |
51 |
19 |
58 |
12
9 |
82 |
63 |
19 |
72 |
10
10 |
116 |
81 |
35 |
88 |
28
11 |
132 |
97 |
35 |
106 |
26
12 |
174 |
115 |
59 |
126 |
48
13 |
194 |
131 |
63 |
147 |
47
14 |
244 |
149 |
95 |
170 |
74
15 |
268 |
165 |
103 |
195 |
73
16 |
326 |
183 |
143 |
221 |
105
17 |
354 |
199 |
155 |
250 |
104
18 |
420 |
217 |
203 |
280 |
140
19 |
452 |
233 |
219 |
311 |
141
20 |
486 |
249 |
237 |
343 |
143 [/table]
Wizard Spell Point Table
{table]
Class Level |
WIZ – Total |
WIZ – UA |
WIZ Total vs UA |
Psion |
WIZ Total vs Psion
1 |
1 |
2 |
-1 |
2 |
-1
2 |
2 |
4 |
-2 |
6 |
-4
3 |
5 |
7 |
-2 |
11 |
-6
4 |
9 |
11 |
-2 |
17 |
-8
5 |
14 |
16 |
-2 |
25 |
-11
6 |
22 |
24 |
-2 |
35 |
-13
7 |
30 |
33 |
-3 |
46 |
-16
8 |
42 |
44 |
-2 |
58 |
-16
9 |
54 |
56 |
-2 |
72 |
-18
10 |
70 |
72 |
-2 |
88 |
-18
11 |
86 |
88 |
-2 |
106 |
-20
12 |
106 |
104 |
2 |
126 |
-20
13 |
126 |
120 |
6 |
147 |
-21
14 |
150 |
136 |
14 |
170 |
-20
15 |
174 |
152 |
22 |
195 |
-21
16 |
202 |
168 |
34 |
221 |
-19
17 |
230 |
184 |
46 |
250 |
-20
18 |
262 |
200 |
62 |
280 |
-18
19 |
292 |
216 |
76 |
311 |
-19
20 |
324 |
232 |
92 |
343 |
-19 [/table]
Now here’s where we get to the actual limiting factors. Change the Spell Point Cost of different spell levels. The specific conversion I’m suggesting is just squaring the spell level, and making that the cost in spell points.
Spell Point Cost Table
{table]
Spell Level |
OLD System |
NEW System
1 |
1 |
1
2 |
3 |
4
3 |
5 |
9
4 |
7 |
16
5 |
9 |
25
6 |
11 |
36
7 |
13 |
49
8 |
15 |
64
9 |
17 |
81 [/table]
Generally, this means a caster would be able to cast multiple high-level spells, but that’s all they’d be able to do all day. By contrast, if they’re just casting lower level spells, they’ll be able to do so for an extended period of time before they’re out of spell points.
What is the actual effect of this in terms of casting their highest level spells? Below is table comparing the maximum # of castings of their highest level spell, for each spell point sum (new Total suggested in this article, U.A.’s table, and Psion), for the OLD Spell Points/Level Cost, and the NEW Spell Points Squared Cost.
Sorcerer – Total Castings of Highest Spell / Day By Class Level
{table]
Level - Spell LvL |
OLD - Total |
OLD - U.A. |
OLD - Psion |
NEW - Total |
NEW - U.A. |
NEW – Psion
1 - 1 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
2.0 |
3.0 |
3.0 |
2.0
2 - 1 |
4.0 |
5.0 |
6.0 |
4.0 |
5.0 |
6.0
3 - 1 |
5.0 |
8.0 |
11.0 |
5.0 |
8.0 |
11.0
4 - 2 |
5.0 |
4.7 |
5.7 |
3.8 |
3.5 |
4.3
5 - 2 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
8.3 |
4.5 |
4.8 |
6.3
6 - 3 |
7.2 |
5.8 |
7.0 |
4.0 |
3.2 |
3.9
7 - 3 |
8.8 |
7.4 |
9.2 |
4.9 |
4.1 |
5.1
8 - 4 |
10.0 |
7.3 |
8.3 |
4.4 |
3.2 |
3.6
9 - 4 |
11.7 |
9.0 |
10.3 |
5.1 |
3.9 |
4.5
10 - 5 |
12.9 |
9.0 |
9.8 |
4.6 |
3.2 |
3.5
11 - 5 |
14.7 |
10.8 |
11.8 |
5.3 |
3.9 |
4.2
12 - 6 |
15.8 |
10.5 |
11.5 |
4.8 |
3.2 |
3.5
13 - 6 |
17.6 |
11.9 |
13.4 |
5.4 |
3.6 |
4.1
14 - 7 |
18.8 |
11.5 |
13.1 |
5.0 |
3.0 |
3.5
15 - 7 |
20.6 |
12.7 |
15.0 |
5.5 |
3.4 |
4.0
16 - 8 |
21.7 |
12.2 |
14.7 |
5.1 |
2.9 |
3.5
17 - 8 |
23.6 |
13.3 |
16.7 |
5.5 |
3.1 |
3.9
18 - 9 |
24.7 |
12.8 |
16.5 |
5.2 |
2.7 |
3.5
19 - 9 |
26.6 |
13.7 |
18.3 |
5.6 |
2.9 |
3.8
20 - 9 |
28.6 |
14.6 |
20.2 |
6.0 |
3.1 |
4.2[/table]
Wizard – Total Castings of Highest Spell / Day By Class Level
{table]
Level - Spell LvL |
OLD - Total |
OLD - U.A. |
OLD - Psion |
NEW - Total |
NEW - U.A. |
NEW - Psion
1 - 1 |
1.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
1.0 |
2.0 |
2.0
2 - 1 |
2.0 |
4.0 |
6.0 |
2.0 |
4.0 |
6.0
3 - 2 |
1.7 |
2.3 |
3.7 |
1.3 |
1.8 |
2.8
4 - 2 |
3.0 |
3.7 |
5.7 |
2.3 |
2.8 |
4.3
5 - 3 |
2.8 |
3.2 |
5.0 |
1.6 |
1.8 |
2.8
6 - 3 |
4.4 |
4.8 |
7.0 |
2.4 |
2.7 |
3.9
7 - 4 |
4.3 |
4.7 |
6.6 |
1.9 |
2.1 |
2.9
8 - 4 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
8.3 |
2.6 |
2.8 |
3.6
9 - 5 |
6.0 |
6.2 |
8.0 |
2.2 |
2.2 |
2.9
10 - 5 |
7.8 |
8.0 |
9.8 |
2.8 |
2.9 |
3.5
11 - 6 |
7.8 |
8.0 |
9.6 |
2.4 |
2.4 |
2.9
12 - 6 |
9.6 |
9.5 |
11.5 |
2.9 |
2.9 |
3.5
13 - 7 |
9.7 |
9.2 |
11.3 |
2.6 |
2.4 |
3.0
14 - 7 |
11.5 |
10.5 |
13.1 |
3.1 |
2.8 |
3.5
15 - 8 |
11.6 |
10.1 |
13.0 |
2.7 |
2.4 |
3.0
16 - 8 |
13.5 |
11.2 |
14.7 |
3.2 |
2.6 |
3.5
17 - 9 |
13.5 |
10.8 |
14.7 |
2.8 |
2.3 |
3.1
18 - 9 |
15.4 |
11.8 |
16.5 |
3.2 |
2.5 |
3.5
19 - 9 |
17.2 |
12.7 |
18.3 |
3.6 |
2.7 |
3.8
20 - 9 |
19.1 |
13.6 |
20.2 |
4.0 |
2.9 |
4.2[/table]
Under the old system, Sorcerers got 1 extra casting of their highest level spell than a Wizard. In this system, it returns to the 3/2 or better Ratio present in the normal spells/day casting, ignoring bonus spells.
Metamagic would work as normal under this system, increasing the spell’s level, and hence, power points required. An advantage of this system is that higher than 9th level spell metamagic could be possible (with DM’s Approval), simply continuing the formula. For example, an Extended Summon Monster IX would cost 100 Spell Points, while a Silent Stilled Maximized Time Stop would be 144 Spell Points. While this is asking for abuse, an optional Metamagic rule is possible – To meta-magic enhance a spell, it additional Spell Points equal to the original cost times the level multiplier. So, Extended Summon Monster IX would cost 162, and a Maximized time Stop would be 324.
Below is table comparing the two options. Option A = Traditional metamagic, increasing the spell cost by level. Option B = Spending an additional spell slot of the same level
Metamagic Spell Point Cost
{table]
Spell Level |
A) +1 |
A) +2 |
A) +3 |
B) +1 |
B) +2 |
B) +3
1 |
4 |
9 |
16 |
2 |
3 |
4
2 |
9 |
16 |
25 |
8 |
12 |
16
3 |
16 |
25 |
36 |
18 |
27 |
36
4 |
25 |
36 |
49 |
32 |
48 |
64
5 |
36 |
49 |
64 |
50 |
75 |
100
6 |
49 |
64 |
81 |
72 |
108 |
144
7 |
64 |
81 |
100 |
98 |
147 |
196
8 |
81 |
100 |
121 |
128 |
192 |
256
9 |
100 |
121 |
144 |
162 |
243 |
324[/table]
Optional Rule: Spell Point Regeneration
Instead of Casters spontaneously having full spell points after having 8 hours of rest and an hour to study/meditate, I would think that they should be able to regain spell points at a semi-hourly rate. Spell Points would regenerate a total of points equal to their Caster (or Character?) Level every 4 hours if engaged in activity, or 2 hours if sleeping/meditating. This means that
ISSUES WITH THIS CONCEPT
1. Balancing Spell Points / Caster Level
It eliminates the points/level balance concept that was allowed for under the old system. Given the example in Unearthed Arcana, a 3rd level Fireball will cost 9 Spell Points, while a 5th Level Cone of Cold will cost 25 Spell Points (nearly triple). The advantage at a higher level is that Cone of Cold does more damage overall (after 10th level, it becomes superior), and its damage shape is different than Fireball’s. I’m sure a mechanic could be invented to fulfill this role however.