One of the things that has generated
the most push back from the TSR core rules is the idea that your spells reset
every turn. I assume that many people are house ruling out of this… I didn’t
want a complex spell chart (if one chart that goes 6-5-4-3-2-1 is all that
complex), but it was one more level of logistics and charts in a game that is
working hard to eschew those.
However, let’s try some options. What
if you get a number of daily spells at each tier equal to your attribute
modifier?
The warden is a secondary spell
caster. At level 5, with a starting WIS of 12, the warden is going to have WIS
15 (+4 modifier), with access to tier III nature magic. This gives the warden 5
a total of 12 spells per day, with 4 each at tiers I, II, and III.
The wizard is a primary spell caster.
At level 5, with a starting INT of 12, the wizard is going to have INT 17 (+5
modifier), with access to tier V arcane magic. This gives the wizard 5 a
total of 25 spells per day, with 5 each at tiers I, II, III, IV, and V. By
comparison, a SSR magic user 10 (the
rough equivalent) has 15 spells per day…
This feels like too many.
If we go with the declining number of
spells (you have a number of tier I spells per day equal to your level
modifier, -1 spell per available tier thereafter, with a minimum of 1 spell per
tier regardless of attribute rating/modifier)... we end up with:
The warden 5 has (4/3/2) for a total
of 9 spells per day
The wizard 5 has (5/4/3/2/1) for a
total of 15 spells per day.
This is spot on with the SSR magic
user, but also allows secondary casters to be useful. I am thinking that the
primary casters (druid, wizard, cleric) are going to get 1 free tier 1 spell
per turn as a compromise on that spells per turn mechanic I like … so they get
virtually unlimited small heals, minor spells, and the like. A wizard can
detect magic, cast charm, and cast sleep all day long. This offsets a
relatively light spell assortment.
