here's an idea:
The current "Spells per day" system sucks! I already talked to ackblom about it and he liked it, so I'm going to post it and the players can argue about it.
Take the spells per day table, in this example, the spells per day of a 5th level sorcerer:
Spell level: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Per Day: 6 6 4 - - - - - - -
Now, assign each spell a mana point value, for the sake of ease, we'll say Mana = Spell Level plus one. This Means:
Spell Level:mana cost
0:1
1:2
2:3
3:4
4:5
5:6
6:7
7:8
8:9
9:10
Using the above tables, the example Sorcerer would get 6+ 12+ 12(30) mana, for 6 0 level spells(6 mana) at 1 mana each, 6 1 level spells at 2 mana each(12 mana) and 4 2 level spells at 3 mana each(12 mana).
Now, a sorcerer is a spontaneous caster, so using this system, the sorcerer could cast any combination of spells known in a given day that totals to ≤30.
For say, a wizard, who is not a spontaneous spell caster, You prepare your spells in exactly the same way, but instead or preparing the same spell multiple times, you prepare your maximum number of spells per day, and then you can cast any of the spells multiple times as long as you do not exceed your maximum mana for the day. You can only prepare spells up to the level of spell you would normally be able to cast.
Clerics get to prepare their maximum number of spells per day plus a domain spell of each appropriate level. Each time after the first you do this, the mana cost increases by two. example:
A level 5 cleric has 0:5 1:4 2:3 3:2 or 30 Mana.
The cleric can cast Inflict/Cure Light Wounds(1 level spell) once at the cost of 2 mana. The next time he casts Inflict/Cure Light Wounds, it will cost 4 mana. After that, 6 mana, and so on. Why does the mana cost go up? Otherwise, The cleric could go "HURR INFLICT/CURE LIGHT WOUNDS" every round, and that's not how it's intended to work.
For Metamagic feats, Silent Spell, Still Spell, et cetera: Instead of applying these feats during spell preparation, you can apply them at any time, increasing in cost by 1 mana for each feat applied. For Example:
Our 5th level Sorcerer casts Grease(PHB237) a 1 level spell at the cost of 2 mana. Now, the Sorcerer decides to use the Quicken Spell feat to cast it instantly instead of as a standard action, increasing the cost to 3 mana. At the same time, he decides to use the Widen Spell feat effect, doubling the area affected by the spell, and increasing the cost to 4 mana, and so on, as many feats as you decide to apply/can afford to apply.
Eschew Materials is not a metamagic feat and thus does not affect the mana cost of spells.
Anyone have any questions/see any problems/want to use this system in canada?