I’ve been considering building into my world a boon that could be given to any character able to cast spells, of which would allow them to cast any spell they have prepared at effectively the 10th level.
What ways would this break?
Should spells that don’t scale be allowed? It could mean someone has access to two wish’s which might be a little broken, and also make similar high level spells underwhelming with the frequency of their use.
I like the idea of using the 10th level slot as a big cannon or huge heal. I don’t see a lot of people spending their high level slots on a chromatic orb, mostly because it’s a waste. But restricting the 10th slot to spells that can benefit from higher slots could give those lower level spells new light to shine again in the late game.
Should the slot restore every day? Perhaps roll a d6 after a long rest, restores on a roll equaling or lower than your Proficiency bonus?
Basically, just need to know if there is anything I’m not considering and how this might go horribly wrong.
The rules for Upcasting do not limit it to 9th level. They all say "for each level above". There is nothing wrong with going for a 10th level slot. I do not see any major issues with allowing it.
I would NOT allow spells that do not scale. A) There are reasons why they do not scale and b) You would have to make up the rules for how to do it, which introduces a whole lot of complications. More risks.
That said there is one slight problem with offering a 10th level slot. Casters do not get multiple slots for 8th or 9th. I am fine with you turning their highest level slot into a 10th level slot, but not adding a 10th level slot on top of what they already get is a huge power increase.
This way they can still only cast one 9th level spell per day.
I see what you’re saying. Access to two 9th level spells per day is a bit heavy. Perhaps the boon could stipulate spells of 1st through 5th? Maybe as high as 7th so long as they do benefit from higher slots.
Having their 9th slot count as a 10th is an interesting way to do it. I just don’t see anyone using their 9th level slot for a fireball when it only deals an extra 1d6 over the normal 9th level damage. Having the Elemental adept feat would probably be better value for damage than this grandiose 10th slot.
I don’t mind the power increase if it’s limited to restore on a roll, rather than every day.
I think you are better off creating a once a day ability that you think is worthy of the power of a 10th level slot then saying that ability is their 10th level spell that they know.
If you want a big arcane cannon then make it a big arcane cannon
I would just continue the spell slot rate just like the chart would if it continued on past 9th level spells. With a simple adjustment at 19th and 20th levels.
I would add a spell slot to every spell level at 19th and allow a single 10 level spell. You do not automatically get a 10th level spell just the slot.
At 20th I would add another 1st, 6th and 9th level spell.
I personally think the pure spell casters are restricted in their spells as it is. I see no reason to limit the spell slot levels.
Spells at 10th level are pretty much in the realm of the gods. Ways to achieve immortality, grant others spells and or power. Spells that enhance the effects of lesser spells. Aging and death are the only real limitations on your power at this point and you are starting to find ways to get around those problems.
A 10th level spell slot would not break the game for the reasons which have been pointed out. A 10th level spell to be used with that slot would fundamentally invalidate every element of the system as it would have to be even less limited than wish. Creating the slot entails the question of what can be cast with it. Have you looked into level 10 spells from other editions? They do things like create or destroy Crystal Spheres... They get you into Athas or out of Ravenloft!
There are examples of 10th level and higher spells from old editions and lore on the wiki.
They're powerful but no where nears as strong as you think. Like yes levitating a mountain is a 10th level spell but becoming a god is 12th and that one doesn't even work properly.
Historically I've basically only used these spells as examples of things you can't do with wish because it's too weak.
I’ve been considering building into my world a boon that could be given to any character able to cast spells, of which would allow them to cast any spell they have prepared at effectively the 10th level.
What ways would this break?
Should spells that don’t scale be allowed? It could mean someone has access to two wish’s which might be a little broken, and also make similar high level spells underwhelming with the frequency of their use.
I like the idea of using the 10th level slot as a big cannon or huge heal. I don’t see a lot of people spending their high level slots on a chromatic orb, mostly because it’s a waste. But restricting the 10th slot to spells that can benefit from higher slots could give those lower level spells new light to shine again in the late game.
Should the slot restore every day? Perhaps roll a d6 after a long rest, restores on a roll equaling or lower than your Proficiency bonus?
Basically, just need to know if there is anything I’m not considering and how this might go horribly wrong.
The rules for Upcasting do not limit it to 9th level. They all say "for each level above". There is nothing wrong with going for a 10th level slot. I do not see any major issues with allowing it.
I would NOT allow spells that do not scale. A) There are reasons why they do not scale and b) You would have to make up the rules for how to do it, which introduces a whole lot of complications. More risks.
That said there is one slight problem with offering a 10th level slot. Casters do not get multiple slots for 8th or 9th. I am fine with you turning their highest level slot into a 10th level slot, but not adding a 10th level slot on top of what they already get is a huge power increase.
This way they can still only cast one 9th level spell per day.
I see what you’re saying. Access to two 9th level spells per day is a bit heavy. Perhaps the boon could stipulate spells of 1st through 5th? Maybe as high as 7th so long as they do benefit from higher slots.
Having their 9th slot count as a 10th is an interesting way to do it. I just don’t see anyone using their 9th level slot for a fireball when it only deals an extra 1d6 over the normal 9th level damage. Having the Elemental adept feat would probably be better value for damage than this grandiose 10th slot.
I don’t mind the power increase if it’s limited to restore on a roll, rather than every day.
I think you are better off creating a once a day ability that you think is worthy of the power of a 10th level slot then saying that ability is their 10th level spell that they know.
If you want a big arcane cannon then make it a big arcane cannon
I would just continue the spell slot rate just like the chart would if it continued on past 9th level spells. With a simple adjustment at 19th and 20th levels.
I would add a spell slot to every spell level at 19th and allow a single 10 level spell. You do not automatically get a 10th level spell just the slot.
At 20th I would add another 1st, 6th and 9th level spell.
I personally think the pure spell casters are restricted in their spells as it is. I see no reason to limit the spell slot levels.
Spells at 10th level are pretty much in the realm of the gods. Ways to achieve immortality, grant others spells and or power. Spells that enhance the effects of lesser spells. Aging and death are the only real limitations on your power at this point and you are starting to find ways to get around those problems.
A 10th level spell slot would not break the game for the reasons which have been pointed out. A 10th level spell to be used with that slot would fundamentally invalidate every element of the system as it would have to be even less limited than wish. Creating the slot entails the question of what can be cast with it. Have you looked into level 10 spells from other editions? They do things like create or destroy Crystal Spheres... They get you into Athas or out of Ravenloft!
There are examples of 10th level and higher spells from old editions and lore on the wiki.
They're powerful but no where nears as strong as you think. Like yes levitating a mountain is a 10th level spell but becoming a god is 12th and that one doesn't even work properly.
Historically I've basically only used these spells as examples of things you can't do with wish because it's too weak.
I think a better way to do it is an ability that lets you cast any spell as if it were upcast X levels.
Bingo. This is what 3.x did with epic levels. Make it an epic boon, to boot.