Friday, May 24, 2013

ACKS "Lower" Magic Spell Progression



Arcane Spell Progression (Full/ Two-thirds / One-half / One-third)

Level
Caster Level
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
1/1/0/0
1/1/0/0






2
2/1/1/0
2/1/1/0






3
3/2/2/1
2/2/2/1
1/0/0/0





4
4/3/2/1
2/2/2/1
2/1/0/0





5
5/3/3/1
2/2/2/1
2/1/1/0
1/0/0/0




6
6/4/3/2
2/2/2/2
2/2/1/0
2/0/0/0




7
7/5/4/2
3/2/2/2
2/2/2/0
2/1/0/0
1/0/0/0



8
8/5/4/2
3/2/2/2
3/2/2/0
2/1/0/0
2/0/0/0



9
9/6/5/3
3/2/2/2
3/2/2/1
3/2/1/0
2/0/0/0
1/0/0/0


10
10/7/5/3
3/3/2/2
3/2/2/1
3/2/1/0
3/1/0/0
2/0/0/0


11
11/7/6/3
4/3/2/2
3/2/2/1
3/2/2/0
3/1/0/0
2/0/0/0
1/0/0/0

12
12/8/6/4
4/3/2/2
4/3/2/2
3/2/2/0
3/2/0/0
3/0/0/0
2/0/0/0

13
13/9/7/4
4/3/3/2
4/3/2/2
4/3/2/0
3/2/1/0
3/1/0/0
2/0/0/0
1/0/0/0
14
14/9/7/4
4/3/3/2
4/3/2/2
4/3/2/0
4/2/1/0
3/1/0/0
3/0/0/0
2/0/0/0


Divine Spell Progression | Repertoire (150% | 15 / 133% | 12 / Full | 10 / One-half | 5)

Level
Caster Level
0
1
2
3
4
5
1
1/1
1/0/0/0





2
2/1
2/1/1/0





3
3/2
3/3/2/1





4
4/2
3/3/2/1
2/1/1/0




5
5/3
3/3/2/2
3/3/2/0




6
6/3
3/3/2/2
3/3/2/0
2/1/1/0
2/1/1/0


7
7/4
3/3/2/2
3/3/2/1
3/3/2/0
2/1/1/0
2/1/1/0

8
8/4
5/4/3/2
5/4/3/1
3/3/2/0
3/3/2/0
2/1/1/0

9
9/5
5/4/3/2
5/4/3/2
5/4/3/0
3/3/2/0
3/3/2/0
2/1/1/0
10
10/5
6/5/4/2
6/5/4/2
5/4/3/0
5/4/3/0
3/3/2/0
2/1/1/0
11
11/6
6/5/4/2
6/5/4/2
6/5/4/1
5/4/3/1
5/4/3/0
3/3/2/0
12
12/6
8/7/5/2
8/7/5/2
6/5/4/1
6/5/4/1
5/4/3/0
3/3/2/0
13
13/7
8/7/5/2
8/7/5/2
8/7/5/2
6/5/4/1
5/4/3/1
5/4/3/0
14
14/7
9/8/6/2
8/7/5/2
8/7/5/2
8/7/5/1
6/5/4/1
5/4/3/0




I implemented level 0 spells with the idea of boosting the low end of the magic scale in “dungeon fantasy” campaigns where magic pushes the limits of the default assumptions of the Adventurer, Conqueror, King System. I did so at my own peril  ;-)

But what if … level 0 spells are implemented in a way to lower the overall level of magic in a campaign? Along these lines, I modified my ACKS Consolidated Spell Progression tables to insert level 0 spells into the level 1 spells column and “bump” the other levels over. I extrapolated new columns for arcane level 6 spells and divine level 5 spells.

With this approach, clerics gain a single level 0 spell at 2nd level, a level 1 spell at 4th level and so on, through a level 5 spell at 9th level. Mages begin their adventuring careers with a single level 0 spell, gain a level 1 spell at 3rd level and so on, through a level 6 spell at 13th level. I would not change rituals, as they have their own built-in limiting factors.

At first glance, I like the effect of this change on the divine spell progression, and mages will remain frighteningly effective in a lower magic world, but being a mage would require even more patience and luck to survive to mid to high levels. Existing classes with spell-like powers, like the warlock, become a little scarier with their easy access to power (but the warlock would never gain finger of death or other 5th level spells). I assume the “ACKSonomic” impacts of this spell progression change are dizzying, but since the historical world existed without any magic, I further assume markets would adjust to a reduced availability of magic. It’s an interesting thought experiment, at least. What do you think?

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