Spellcraft check vs spell DC

Matt Miller

There are thematic, societally, and mechanical ideas behind it. Thematically, it's based on the idea that magic is a skill that anyone can master--It's just freaking difficult, with a brutal learning curve. Like learning to program using manuals written in Farsi, and translated into Dutch, then English. Societally, it's a way to explain why Wizards spend so much time studying, and why most people can't do magic. Mechanically, every spells just has a DC to cast, and you roll spellpower to manage it. No limit on spells per day, although limits to a) spells known and b) spells prepared. A spell stays 'memorized' until you botch it. But magic is like playing piano while deaf. If the spell does not take effect, you know you botched it, but aren't sure how, and can't re-attempt the spell until you've had a chance to study.

Keith Gatchalian

That's how I'm using magic in my rules. I always thought, as a magic user in DnD, how boring and undramatic it was using a spell. I announce the casting, then maybe roll for damage, but the real dice rolling is done by the DM making a save.

.....For my game,(using DnD terms) I use Knowledge Arcana ranks to = number of spells known(ranks is used as caster level), Spellcraft to actually cast the spell, and then I use an arbitrary stat ( like Str, Con etc) Magic Power to indicate the upper level of spells castable. So if you have an 18 (+4) Magic Power, you can cast upto 4th level in spells.     

There are ways of course to increase your MP, but I like having some balance since the MU gets to cast more spells per day, and in practice, the lower level spells get cast more anyway. I also allow spell fumbles if you roll a 1 on the to cast roll ( think Mickey in Fantastia) and spell crits of some sort. A Feat added to a spell is measured against the Knowledge Arcana rank, not the MP, so let's say you have a score of 6 in KA and your feat makes your spell =7th level, than its a no go, but 6 or less you can cast it. 

My real concern is in practice how much work this will add as a DM....that's the one place the fire and forget system helps you out. I hate slowing down the game while I crunch numbers for multiple casters.

Matt Miller 

Spells levels were actually something I was trying to avoid, using a direct DC. Then the feat modifies the DC directly. Rather than translating spell+feat to DC, then rolling.

Keith Gatchalian

...Tying level to spell DC. Something like 15+1 = a 16DC for a first level spell. Should be easy to make with a fair number of ranks in Spellcraft, but that's why I was trying to make several skills needed to be an effective mage.