Now, there are some elements of magic that one might want to add into D&D. (Or not.) How about spontaneous spell effects? Would that introduce more fun, or more arguments at the table? Counterspelling has never been adequately explored in my mind. Only casters can do it. Wizards and sorcerors get a weak BAB, so they can fight. Could some mechanism allow the fighter types to have a shot at it? Should they?
With that in mind, what changes would one make? Assume that standard 3.5/Arcana Evolved, perhaps modified with BoXM or Pathfinder, is in use and desired. (If you would like to propose that I play Castles and Crusades or talk about your personal and wonderful homebrew magic system, please start a new thread or PM me. Thanks.)
I would personally contemplate:
*changing all flying spells so that they empower flying vehicles only (sharpening the pulp elements, if you will)
*modify shapeshifting spells a la AE so that one spell = one form change, possibly with a shapeshifter class
*decrease area spells while boosting spellcaster ability so that you affect less targets, but get to blast a lot longer
*remove teleportation magic as a spell, while putting in side dimensions to travel through (adventure possibilities increase!) and/or teleport circles only
*revamp damage types so that there are fewer
*increase mind-reading spells and abilities - but only as a form of mental torture
*allow non-spellcasters to occasionally counter spells
*add in abilities that improve spell effects if the player describes a new and cool desired result
*give spellcasters the ability to cast multiple times a round eventually with single-target spells (same spell only, a la full round fighter attacks, doing less damage)
*allow casters flexibility to increase/decrease spell parameters at some sort of cheap but effective cost - like hit points or use of a feat - or just by picking parameters for the spell itself to change at the moment of creation. Perhaps instead of heightening or diminishing per the spell's formula, you can choose parameter shifts at that point.
So I think I will cross-post this to my journal and leave you all to discuss for a while as I have some editing to do.





