Siggy: I agree with you on 4e; dull.
classless + generic power point usage could be more fun.
I'll let someone else tackle that.
BK: of course be welcome to use what you want of this.
Here's my thought regarding your idea:
I think the break between at will, rest, and extended rest can be viable.
CL ExRe Rest AtWi
01 1
02
03 2 1
04
05 3 2 1 <--
06
07 4,3 2 1
08
09 5,4 3,2 1
10
11 6,5 4,3 2,1 <--
12
13 7,6,5 4,3 2,1
14
15 8,7,6 5,4,3 2,1
16
17 9,8,7 6,5,4 3,2,1 <--
18
19
20
ExRe = extended rest
Rest = 5 minute break
AtWi = standard action recover
I think this system would work without durations as well.
--regardless of level, instant spells remove the points as normal; the class level vs spell level determines how fast those points can be restored (easily tracked in separate "recover pools"-- drop the adaptive style idea to simplify at will recovery to be a standard action.
--regardless of level, spells with duration "lock" the spell points until the effect is either dispelled, or dismissed. At the spell's end, the points are assigned the appropriate "recover pool".
--buffing would be as I originally stated.
To use your example (but I"m still stubbornly clinging to psionic point costs...
):
[spoiler]
wizard 9
Spells Prepared
1st - Shield, Mage Armor, Grease, Ray of Enfeeblement
2nd - Scorching Ray, Glitterdust, Ghoul Touch, Summon Monster II
3rd - Haste, Fly, Deep Slumber
4th - Evard's Black Tentacles, Rainbow Pattern
5th - Baleful Polymorph
As above, 1st level spells recover at will.
2nd and 3rd level spells recover after 5 minute rest.
4th and 5th level spells recover after extended rest.
wizard has 28 points.
"persisted" spells:
shield (1) at will recover
mage armour (1) at will recover
summon monster II (3) 5 min recover
fly (5) 5 min recover
haste (5) 5 min recover
13 of the 28 points are gone for the encounter... it will take 5 minutes to restore them if the SMII, fly, and haste are dropped/dispelled etc.
2 of the 28 can be at will recoverd if needed (MA and shield)
13 points are available to use as needed.
baleful poly would pop 9 until extended rest.
evard and rainbow would pop 7 each until extended rest.
Haste, Fly, Deep Slumber pop 5 each until 5 min rest.
Scorching Ray, Glitterdust, Ghoul Touch, Summon Monster II pop 3 each until 3 min rest.
Shield, Mage Armor, Grease, Ray of Enfeeblement pop 1 each until standard action recover.
[/spoiler]
this
is a bit more complicated, but you're right.. this is MUCH more restrained.
I would enjoy playing this system.
magic items like wands and staffs could be as written, but is subject to the same recovery method...
wand of fireball:
5th level user: 1/day
15th level user: 1/5 min rest
17+ level user: 1/round
There are no spell point costs, but they are a viable method to increase spell usage.
and they could simply not work if your class (or character for UMD) level isn't high enough.. keeping difficult spells out of reach before appropriate?
I'll assume my original system of "any spell recovers at will" is too powerful (although that is a matter of how you run your campaigns...)
So I will put my weight behind this revision. It has good linear progression, and makes spell casting much more tactical now. Fun!