Random Spells or Choose your Spells

[Christian]

I think if it was a one-off game it could add an interesting element, definitely keep you on your toes.

But if you look at it from a character development perspective, it would make sense that you decide what spells he has been studying this whole time.

[Faust23]

there may be some reason for randomness, but right now I can't see one.

[OSHIROmodels]

A bit more fun than just the randomness of the dice 

cheers

James

[Conquistador]

Perhaps at character creation some influence over true random.

Or perhaps a rolled chance replace a random rolled spell.

Or trade off two spells not wanted for one chosen and one re-rolled random (binding.)

At level ups, a chance to influence spell selection (especially if spells divide into "elements" (Air, Earth, Water, Fire, Spirit, Illusion,) or "Schools" in the game.

Gracias,

Glenn

[rob_the_robgoblin]

Perhaps choose one, then roll for some others?

Adds the randomness that should be there in fantasy, but also the idea that they have learnt something.

In a roleplay situation, I would also include age/level of education. An apprentice might know one or two little spells of healing or dispelling, perhaps one big one, whereas a grizzled old Master of Magics would know some pretty unruly spells that he probably shouldn't be allowed to know (almost world ending, or at least terra-forming, with lots of potential to go wrong!) along with all the stuff the apprentice knows, however, some of those he might have forgotten! You know, the more knowledge that goes in, the more that falls out! 

[Heldrak]

While I come down on the side of choosing spells (along with everybody else), I can understand trying to avoid a cookie-cutter approach to character creation where the same small number of optimal spells get chosen all the time ("Ho-hum, here comes a wizard, better get ready for the fireball...").

The solution in that instance is to allow spell choice, but give wizards more to do in-game than just zap stuff, summon stuff, heal stuff, etc. If there are real in-game benefits to be derived from more "scholarly" spells, then players will pick them to further their own interests.

[Patrice]

Any wizard  should be able to choose his/her spells. If you really want something random, roll for the kind of wizard that your army commander has been able to find.

"So, have we found a good wizard to come with us?"
"Sorry sir, not one. They say they have important research to do, they don't want any more fighting."
"Oh. Any witch?"
"No sir. They have gone to a charity meeting on a mountain somewhere, they call it Walpurgis night, sir."
"So?"
"We've found a druid, sir."
"A druid? What can he do?"
"Er... He can change milk into butter, sir. Very good butter, I must say."

[fastolfrus]

I would definately go for the different schools get different spells.
Earth/air/fire/water would be a good split.
Perhaps a little bit of overlap on some lower level spells, such as a "hot" spell giving either a pool of hot magma, dessicating breeze, fireball, or steam cloud. Obviously if it's low level ot would only be a small pool/breeze/ball/cloud.

As for chosen or random, I'd probably opt for a combination, perhaps half chosen half random? or one chosen 2 random at lower level, but higher level wizards gain more chosen as they progress (although keeping the rwo random).
Reason for the randoms? Ingredients out of season/out of stock/stolen by that thieving hobbit, or "revised the wrong page last night after dinner", or "I've always been really good at that one", or "it was really useful last week", thieving hobbits sell you some dodgy pipeweed, or just a magical powers cause a brief mental slip whilst you were setting off this morning.

[Faust23]

I have already created three main categories or 'schools' of magic.  Basically a High, Natural, and Dark type of division.

Also have some 'divine rites' type of effects for non-wizard priestly types.

Heldrak brings up a great point regarding the min/maxers who will use the same 3 spells over and over.

Not sure I can keep that from happening.  However, it is something I need to chew on to see if its possible.  No matter what I come up with, they will always have their favorites.

I do the same thing.  So I can't really fault anyone for that. 

[Red Orc]

...
... maybe, if taking several spells is an option, there could be different lists based on elements or different magical schools (can't have fireball and petrify, as one is a fire spell and one is an earth spell; can't have summon animals and summon skeletons, as one is a druid spell and one is a necromantic spell), which means not every wizard will have 1-fireball; 2-summon skeletons; 3-healing. For example.

That was kinda the point. Don't put all the good spells in one basket. The trick is I suppose which spells are missing from each list. For exampleDruids might not get summon skeletons, High Magic types might not get spells to spook enemy animals (very useful against cavalry), Dark Magicians might not get healing/encouragement spells.

[dijit]

How about having all spells accessable by all wizards, but some wizards have bonuses for casting certain types of spell, so your white wizard is going to be good at healing but his chances of casting a fireball are pretty slim- whilst your red witch is very good at flame grilling bad guys but isn't much good at casting concealmeat spells around her friends.
Duncan