Giving the wizard more to do?

[tylermo]

I'm about to start the A-series for my friend and his son. My friend likes Castles and Crusades, but wishes the wizard could be a bit more like the class in D&D 5. I think he was suggesting the possibility of having a "go to" offensive spell, instead of a wizard being relegated to the staff, etc., when his spells run out. Has anybody tackled this before? I have to think that it's another benefit for the wizard that no other class would get. Wouldn't I have to off set this by boosting the other classes, or am I overthinking it?

[mmbutter]

Look at the "Apprentice's Bolt" from the CKG...

[tylermo]

I'll be sure to do that. I can't remember...is that from the advantages section?

[tylermo]

I have mixed feelings about using advantages/feats, but maybe that's the solution. Maybe, I'll just let every player have one advantage at 1st level, and then restrict them for the rest of their adventuring career.

[Rigon]

Look at Tree's house rules. You can find it on the first page of any of his game threads. He allows an arcane blast.

R-

[mmbutter]

Yeah, from the advantages section. I follow the guidelines in that section on what levels to allow players to choose new advantages...

[tylermo]

Thanks, guys. I'll check out both options. I just don't want to overdo it with advantages, as I had mixed feelings about feats years ago.

[serleran]

I allow them to craft magic items from any level, but the effects are limited and reduced.

[tylermo]

Whatever I do, I don't want the wizard to be leaps and bounds ahead of the other classes at higher levels.

[Captain_K]

I had the same request from my mage and we've always had a hard time getting folks to play mages... now TREE (or someone else??) will not agree with this... but the below is what we're going to try out in our next few games... Check out the other thread on "what's a wizard to do" or some such.. there's more in there... too.

OHR#5 Arcane Magic Bolt:
MAGIC BOLT; SPELL-LIKE ABILITY, illusionist & wizard
CT 1 R 150 ft. D n/a
SV none SR yes Comp V, S
1) Any level Wizard spell* (or memory slot) can be exchanged for a magical bolt "spell" at 1d6/(Wizard spell level). Ex. Any second level spell can be immediately converted to a 2d6 magical bolt spell. Any target of the magic bolt may attempt a DEX save for half damage.
2) Any level Illusionist spell* (or memory slot) can be exchanged for a shadow magical bolt "spell" at 1d8/(Illusionist spell level). Ex. Any second level spell can be immediately converted to a 2d8 shadow magical bolt spell. However, the target of the shadow magic bolt may attempt a DEX save for half damage and a second INT save for no damage; always taking the least possible damage.
3) Wizards & Illusionists add their Intelligence bonus to the total damage of the magic bolt and shadow magic bolt spell.

OHR#6 Innate Magic
All classes who work magic, be it arcane or divine, can work innate simple magic even when all daily allotted spells are used. The form of this simple magic is typically a surge, or burst, of raw arcane or divine power as noted in the level zero spell format innate magic below (which can be used even when all zero level spells for the day have been used). Even if the spell caster still has zero level spells remaining for the day, the use of this spell-like ability will not use any of their daily allotment. This burst of raw power must be focused and aimed at a single opponent as a ranged touch attack (spell caster’s DEX bonus applies) where the caster’s spell casting level, not BtH, is used to hit the opponent. The opponent receives no save when the hit is successful. Although this spell-like ability, innate magic, can be performed while daily allotted spells remain, or are totally drained, it still drains and tires the caster and has a limited number of uses per day; 10 +1/spell caster level + INT/WIS bonus. Thus a 12th level druid with an 18 WIS can use their innate magic burst 25 times per day (10 + 12 +3). In all cases, the caster must use a material focus, or divine focus, such as a rod, staff, wand, or holy symbol, of ever increasing significant value, craftsmanship, &/or innate magical value (equivalent to a 20 gp value/spell caster level) to use this ability at all and to its maximum potential. Players are encouraged to make their focus a unique and detailed part of their character.

INNATE MAGIC; SPELL-LIKE ABILITY, Level 0 cleric, 0 druid, 0 illusionist, 0 wizard
CT 2 R 50 ft. D n/a
SV none SR yes Comp V, S, M/DF
A surge of magical energy flies from the caster’s hand and attempts to strike its target using a ranged touch attack with the caster’s DEX bonus and spell caster level (not BtH) added to the dice roll to hit. Normal range modifiers of -2 to hit for medium range (51-100 ft) and -6 to hit for long range (101-150 ft) apply. The surge, or burst, of magical energy deals damage of 1d3/level +INT/WIS bonus, if applicable, with every successful hit. The caster must designate the target before rolling for damage or SR.
Each class of caster has the ability to convert this simple burst spell-like ability into a specific alternate form per the below:
Cleric: Clerics can convert this ranged touch attach spell to a touch attack, using their holy symbol directly, against undead for increased damage d6/level +WIS bonus. Note: A half move is permitted after the two round casting time to attempt to hit the target. A cleric can always convert this energy, independent of level, to a healing touch as per the spell first aid.
Druids: Druids can convert this ranged touch attach spell to a touch attack, using their holy symbol directly, to inflict subdual damage of d6/level +WIS bonus against any "natural" creature; Animal, Beast, Fey or Plant (only). Note: A half move is permitted after the two round casting time to attempt to hit the target. A druid can always convert this energy, independent of level, to a healing touch as per the spell first aid.
Illusionist: Illusionists can greatly increase the range of this ranged touch attack spell by four times (4x), but the total damage will be halved. Additionally, an illusionist can convert this ranged touch attach spell to an automatic hit, but the total damage will be halved and the target is permitted an INT save for half damage.
Wizard: Wizards can convert this ranged touch attach spell to an automatic hit, but the total damage will be halved. Additionally, a wizard can greatly increase the range of this ranged touch attack spell by four times (4x), but the total damage will be halved and the target is permitted a DEX save for half damage.

[Tadhg]

Look at Tree's house rules. You can find it on the first page of any of his game threads. He allows an arcane blast.

R-

I did very much like this.

R, did you have them in your games? Can't recall.

[Treebore]

I had the same request from my mage and we've always had a hard time getting folks to play mages... now TREE will not agree with this... but the below is what we're going to try out in our next few games... Check out the other thread on "what's a wizard to do" or some such.. there's more in there... too.

OHR#5 Arcane Magic Bolt:
MAGIC BOLT; SPELL-LIKE ABILITY, illusionist & wizard
CT 1 R 150 ft. D n/a
SV none SR yes Comp V, S
1) Any level Wizard spell* (or memory slot) can be exchanged for a magical bolt "spell" at 1d6/(Wizard spell level). Ex. Any second level spell can be immediately converted to a 2d6 magical bolt spell. Any target of the magic bolt may attempt a DEX save for half damage.
2) Any level Illusionist spell* (or memory slot) can be exchanged for a shadow magical bolt "spell" at 1d8/(Illusionist spell level). Ex. Any second level spell can be immediately converted to a 2d8 shadow magical bolt spell. However, the target of the shadow magic bolt may attempt a DEX save for half damage and a second INT save for no damage; always taking the least possible damage.
3) Wizards & Illusionists add their Intelligence bonus to the total damage of the magic bolt and shadow magic bolt spell.

OHR#6 Innate Magic
All classes who work magic, be it arcane or divine, can work innate simple magic even when all daily allotted spells are used. The form of this simple magic is typically a surge, or burst, of raw arcane or divine power as noted in the level zero spell format innate magic below (which can be used even when all zero level spells for the day have been used). Even if the spell caster still has zero level spells remaining for the day, the use of this spell-like ability will not use any of their daily allotment. This burst of raw power must be focused and aimed at a single opponent as a ranged touch attack (spell caster’s DEX bonus applies) where the caster’s spell casting level, not BtH, is used to hit the opponent. The opponent receives no save when the hit is successful. Although this spell-like ability, innate magic, can be performed while daily allotted spells remain, or are totally drained, it still drains and tires the caster and has a limited number of uses per day; 10 +1/spell caster level + INT/WIS bonus. Thus a 12th level druid with an 18 WIS can use their innate magic burst 25 times per day (10 + 12 +3). In all cases, the caster must use a material focus, or divine focus, such as a rod, staff, wand, or holy symbol, of ever increasing significant value, craftsmanship, &/or innate magical value (equivalent to a 20 gp value/spell caster level) to use this ability at all and to its maximum potential. Players are encouraged to make their focus a unique and detailed part of their character.

INNATE MAGIC; SPELL-LIKE ABILITY, Level 0 cleric, 0 druid, 0 illusionist, 0 wizard
CT 2 R 50 ft. D n/a
SV none SR yes Comp V, S, M/DF
A surge of magical energy flies from the caster’s hand and attempts to strike its target using a ranged touch attack with the caster’s DEX bonus and spell caster level (not BtH) added to the dice roll to hit. Normal range modifiers of -2 to hit for medium range (51-100 ft) and -6 to hit for long range (101-150 ft) apply. The surge, or burst, of magical energy deals damage of 1d3/level +INT/WIS bonus, if applicable, with every successful hit. The caster must designate the target before rolling for damage or SR.
Each class of caster has the ability to convert this simple burst spell-like ability into a specific alternate form per the below:
Cleric: Clerics can convert this ranged touch attach spell to a touch attack, using their holy symbol directly, against undead for increased damage d6/level +WIS bonus. Note: A half move is permitted after the two round casting time to attempt to hit the target. A cleric can always convert this energy, independent of level, to a healing touch as per the spell first aid.
Druids: Druids can convert this ranged touch attach spell to a touch attack, using their holy symbol directly, to inflict subdual damage of d6/level +WIS bonus against any "natural" creature; Animal, Beast, Fey or Plant (only). Note: A half move is permitted after the two round casting time to attempt to hit the target. A druid can always convert this energy, independent of level, to a healing touch as per the spell first aid.
Illusionist: Illusionists can greatly increase the range of this ranged touch attack spell by four times (4x), but the total damage will be halved. Additionally, an illusionist can convert this ranged touch attach spell to an automatic hit, but the total damage will be halved and the target is permitted an INT save for half damage.
Wizard: Wizards can convert this ranged touch attach spell to an automatic hit, but the total damage will be halved. Additionally, a wizard can greatly increase the range of this ranged touch attack spell by four times (4x), but the total damage will be halved and the target is permitted a DEX save for half damage.

Why would I not agree? Buttmonkey probably won't, because its too complex.

[Rigon]

Look at Tree's house rules. You can find it on the first page of any of his game threads. He allows an arcane blast.

R-

I did very much like this.

R, did you have them in your games? Can't recall.

No, I never adopted it.

R-

[Captain_K]

Tree, In the other thread, you do not like making mages more powerful because they're too powerful later.. OK, the first rule OHR#5 is really your idea, so you're probably are OK with that one.. but I think you may not like OHR#6 (I think it also comes from you, but I may have change it or poorly captured you thoughts) and now that I think of it, and the coffee is kicking in, I think I am simply wrong in that comment, its the spell slots or mana systems for mages you're not a fan of?? Oh I should just stop now.. ;}

[Treebore]

Tree, In the other thread, you do not like making mages more powerful because they're too powerful later.. OK, the first rule OHR#5 is really your idea, so you're probably are OK with that one.. but I think you may not like OHR#6 (I think it also comes from you, but I may have change it or poorly captured you thoughts) and now that I think of it, and the coffee is kicking in, I think I am simply wrong in that comment, its the spell slots or mana systems for mages you're not a fan of?? Oh I should just stop now.. ;}

Yeah, its the spell slots and mana systems I am not a fan of.

[Captain_K]

Well, one of three on the old memory.. not the best...