I think it's very very interesting, as it allows you to ( theoretically ) quickly and easily create character created spells which are relatively balanced.
The problem with a point-buy spell design system is that many classical and iconic PHB spells just can't be made to fit. Fireball is the poster child for this.
I think it has been mentioned elsewhere in interview with the designers that spells like Fireball and Lightning Bolt are really overpowered for their Spell level - but they're so iconic and traditional that WoTC didn't want to futz with them in 5e.
So, there's a disconnect here between published classical spells, and this system for spell creation.
I can think of a couple of ways to reconcile it, though:
The published spells represent very old, highly optimized work of a genius level mage from long ago, who was just so good at magical theory that they were able to squeeze out extra performance from a spell that level. This means that Player created spells won't ever be as good as classical iconic spells - and I don't see that being an issue.
Take all the published spells, and rebuild them under the new system, assigning the level to those spells that the system dictates ( use the PHB spells as inspiration and design patterns only). This means that something like Fireball ends up being a 5thlevel spell. However, it also means that it's quite easy for Player characters to make lower level versions of the spell which come out to 3rd, or even 2nd level that have reduced range and effect - so it's not like you're pushing the utility of the spell totally out of Player reach.
Going over this system with my Wizard character, they came up with following 1st level spell, under this system
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So - I ran across this system on another D&D forum, and thought it interesting.
I think it's very very interesting, as it allows you to ( theoretically ) quickly and easily create character created spells which are relatively balanced.
The problem with a point-buy spell design system is that many classical and iconic PHB spells just can't be made to fit. Fireball is the poster child for this.
I think it has been mentioned elsewhere in interview with the designers that spells like Fireball and Lightning Bolt are really overpowered for their Spell level - but they're so iconic and traditional that WoTC didn't want to futz with them in 5e.
So, there's a disconnect here between published classical spells, and this system for spell creation.
I can think of a couple of ways to reconcile it, though:
Going over this system with my Wizard character, they came up with following 1st level spell, under this system
Shove
So, what do you think?
Is the system reasonably balanced, or broken?
Would you use it?
How would you reconcile the discrepancy in some PHB spells, vs. this system's creations?
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
Did you ever end up using this? I'm thinking about putting it in a school based homebrew campaign I'm putting together.