Thanks for watching! Links to other related AD&D 2nd Edition videos Saving Throws............................ ua-cam.com/video/EEhlLE43BNY/v-deo.html Psionics Vol 1: Introduction........ua-cam.com/video/0goKtSUTPV0/v-deo.html
3:50 A small correction: specialist wizards _did_ gain a free spell from their speciality school when they leveled up; it was one of the perks of specializing.
I didn't go into how specialists wizards work in this video, but you are correct. It's on page 32 of the phb if anyone wants to look. (edited because I put the wrong page number the first time)
@@oldgrognardsays Yes it was. I remember those times and have instituted it in my own games for the very same reason why it was there in the first place. Great power needs great protection.
I heard that spells in 2e also sometimes have unique consequences. For example, if a wizard casts Haste, don't they instantly increase in age by one year? I would love an in-depth video explaining some of these whacky mechanics; might be fun to incorporate them in a newer system
I still find that the antipathy with vancian magic stems from the unlucky choice of words of "memorizing the spells" - as is with with "to hit" or "attack" roll or "cure light wounds" in other aspects of the game. A much better term is "prepare" or "precast" the spells. Thinking of the wizard to casting a spell slowly and concentrated over his spellbook (I imagine something like the scene in the barn of the movie warlock with Julian Sands) until only the last syllables and gestures are needed to finally release the spell... is much more fitting picture and raises way less questions way a wizard loses the spell after it is cast or why i can only prepare a litmited amount of spells he actually knows. As a house rule I handle this the way, that given the time, spell components, and necessary lack of disturbance a wizard character can cast any spell that way from his spell book or prepare the spell when the need arises. Once prepared the spell energies can be dissipated without harm within 1round per spell level. That way characters might either swap out or outright cast with a spellbook at hand if they are first to second level... standing in a dungeon and casting for 30mins might be more problematic... but this offsets the felt one-shot item of low-level wizards nicely without granting much more power to high-level wizards.
So a priest has to assign their slots too and has to expend them before praying for new ones before adventuring? At least he priests prayers they don't use stored away?
Rules as written they have to use them before getting new ones, but it's a fairly common house rule (at least with the folks I've played with) that you can switch out spells without casting them. You just switch them out using the same process you used to get them in the first place.
It's a real shame that rerolling initiative every round is so slow and painful, because I really like it from a mechanics standpoint. Every decides what to do, then we see what order things resolve in naturally. I also really like the idea of most spellcasters having a spell book. Like why don't clerics keep a prayer book and bards a book of songs? Even artificers can have technical schematics.
Thanks for watching!
Links to other related AD&D 2nd Edition videos
Saving Throws............................ ua-cam.com/video/EEhlLE43BNY/v-deo.html
Psionics Vol 1: Introduction........ua-cam.com/video/0goKtSUTPV0/v-deo.html
3:50 A small correction: specialist wizards _did_ gain a free spell from their speciality school when they leveled up; it was one of the perks of specializing.
I didn't go into how specialists wizards work in this video, but you are correct. It's on page 32 of the phb if anyone wants to look. (edited because I put the wrong page number the first time)
Maaannn that was the version i played on for the first time. It was amazing and i miss it so much.
Right on. Thanks for watching.
Nothing is stopping you from playing now.
This brings me back. It was so fun and difficult, but so worth it.
"Protect the caster" definitely used to be a bigger part of the game.
@@oldgrognardsays Yes it was. I remember those times and have instituted it in my own games for the very same reason why it was there in the first place. Great power needs great protection.
Simple, concise and clear explanation. Thank you!
That's exactly what I am trying to do when I make these videos. Thanks.
I heard that spells in 2e also sometimes have unique consequences. For example, if a wizard casts Haste, don't they instantly increase in age by one year? I would love an in-depth video explaining some of these whacky mechanics; might be fun to incorporate them in a newer system
the target of the haste spell will age 1 year after the end of the spell duration
I still find that the antipathy with vancian magic stems from the unlucky choice of words of "memorizing the spells" - as is with with "to hit" or "attack" roll or "cure light wounds" in other aspects of the game. A much better term is "prepare" or "precast" the spells. Thinking of the wizard to casting a spell slowly and concentrated over his spellbook (I imagine something like the scene in the barn of the movie warlock with Julian Sands) until only the last syllables and gestures are needed to finally release the spell... is much more fitting picture and raises way less questions way a wizard loses the spell after it is cast or why i can only prepare a litmited amount of spells he actually knows.
As a house rule I handle this the way, that given the time, spell components, and necessary lack of disturbance a wizard character can cast any spell that way from his spell book or prepare the spell when the need arises. Once prepared the spell energies can be dissipated without harm within 1round per spell level. That way characters might either swap out or outright cast with a spellbook at hand if they are first to second level... standing in a dungeon and casting for 30mins might be more problematic... but this offsets the felt one-shot item of low-level wizards nicely without granting much more power to high-level wizards.
That's an interesting idea
Casting failure being so easy, and how initiative works are the reason why wands are so important.
good point
I love your videos!
Thanks!
Can we get a video on initiative to help round out our knowledge on spellcasting?
Thanks for the comment. I plan on doing an initiative video in May after this semester of college lets out.
@@oldgrognardsays Nice, I've already subscribed, so I don't even have to worry about missing it.
So a priest has to assign their slots too and has to expend them before praying for new ones before adventuring? At least he priests prayers they don't use stored away?
Rules as written they have to use them before getting new ones, but it's a fairly common house rule (at least with the folks I've played with) that you can switch out spells without casting them. You just switch them out using the same process you used to get them in the first place.
It's a real shame that rerolling initiative every round is so slow and painful, because I really like it from a mechanics standpoint. Every decides what to do, then we see what order things resolve in naturally.
I also really like the idea of most spellcasters having a spell book. Like why don't clerics keep a prayer book and bards a book of songs? Even artificers can have technical schematics.
I like the the "Book of Prayers" idea you have there. Sacred texts are a thing, after all.
We did away with that in AD&D2e Memorizing or praying for a spell would take 10 minutes per level.
"promo sm" 🤭