Spells

Spellcasting ability

When a character gains a level with rating points assigned to Spell Casting they gain a caster level on a table of their choosing. The available options are:

  • Weak: Bard, Paladin or Ranger spell list in combination with the Bardic spells per day table.
  • Strong: Cleric, Druid, Sorceror or Wizard spell list and spells per day.

Picking up a new caster type at a level after first grants all spells just as multiclassing would, thereafter the player must choose the caster type to which new level will apply on levelling. 'Weak' caster levels may never be added to 'strong' caster types and vice versa.

Casting ability score (Int, Wis or Cha) and number of spells known (Bard, Sorceror) are the same as for the spell list chosen.

Weak Spells per day

It seems a bit silly to keep putting points into spellcasting for several levels until you finally see a return, so all weak casters use the Bard spells per day table (for divine casters this is the number of spells they may prepare each day).

Currently the Ranger and Paladin spell lists are being rejigged with this in mind, alternately a new spells per day table may be developed for these casters. At present 5- and 6- level slots may be used for additional lower-level spells or meta-magiced spells.

On this page

House Rule

'Bards' and 'Sorcerors' gain bonus spells known for a high Charisma, using table 1-1 in the PHB.

Notes

Spellcasting ability, even weak spellcasting ability, should never feel like an "afterthought" in a character.

Spell list adjustments

'Paladin' spell list

  • Cure Minor Wounds, Detect Evil/Good/Law/Chaos, Detect Magic, Guidance and Light become available as 0th level 'Paladin' spells.

'Ranger' spell list

  • Cure Minor Wounds, Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Know Direction, Light and Flare become available as 0th level 'Ranger' spells.

Notes

I'll look at what higher level spells to make available, and whether to shift any existing spells as it becomes relevant.