Spell DC Variant

[ChrisHaines]

Has anyone ever thought of changing Spell DCs to 10 plus your Ability score modifier plus 1/2 your caster level (rounded up)? You could throw out the Heightened Spell metamagic feat and it would make Spell DCs similar to most other attack forms that calculate DCs.

 

[Bladesong]

Very similar: Caster makes spell attack roll - Roll d20 and add your modifier plus 1/2 your level vrs the target's MD (magical defense wich is 11 + the F, R or W modifier. Everyone prefers it because now the casters feel that the spell is more in their control rather than that of the target.

 

[Sadrik]

I like it. So, if you have 16th level caster with a stat of 18, the DC for his 1st-8th level spells would be the same. No more need to quickly calculate the DC because they are all the same. DC 22. So your Charm Person spell is DC 22 as well as your Horrid Wilting spell.

The only problem I see with it is that it pumps up the power of the low level spells and makes them a lot more effective at high levels. Which is good, but mid to high level casters generally have more spells than they know what to do with and if they all become effective (DC wise) then it may overpower the casters. I would suggest giving them fewer spells per day since they will all be effective.

 

[DreamChaser]

The main thing this would do is make some spells, like Charm Person, maintain their usefulness over the life a spellcaster's career. Which is, I think, the reason that they didn't so a system like this. They were going on the idea that more powerful spells should be harder to resist rather than the idea that more powerful casters should be harder to resist.

So it really comes down to this:
Do you want your 15th level fighter to be taken down by a charm person cast by a 16th level wizard (DC 26 = +8 {Int 26 [Headband of Intellect +4]} +8 {CL/2}). Even with a high wisdom, a fighter's Will save makes this a very dangerous spell.

Not saying this is bad...just thinking out loud.

DC

 

[Ferrix]

I do think this is quite an interesting variant, and find it relatively agitating that the usefulness of lower level spells at mid and high levels are sparse unless you're dealing with mooks.

Suggestions on lowering the number of spells per day might work to balance this, as it effectively makes every spell cast act as if automatically heightened to the maximum spell level that the caster can cast. (Usually).

A 14th level wizard's spell of any level under this variant would be treated as a 7th level spell would be treated in the normal system.

So, that's a bit of a power upgrade, however I'm stuck on suggestions.

 

[Quickleaf]

This is exactly what True20/Blue Rose does. We play with it and it works great.