Which spells to use?

[Finarvyn]

Looking at the spell list in Men & Magic, I notice that there is a pretty good list of options for levels 1-6 (Magic-users) or levels 1-5 (Clerics).

However, some common spells (like Magic Missile) don't come into play until Greyhawk. As you know, Greyhawk not only adds spells at low levels but also expands the spell lists to higher levels (through L9 for Magic-usersand L7 for Clerics).

Also, some classes such as the Druid and Illusionist don't enter the game until Eldritch Wizardry or the Strategic Review / Dragon.

So ... which spells to you like to use in a "typical" OD&D-style campaign?

[Deleted]

I like to use 'em all! To me, the game isn't complete unless all of the classes are in play, which means all of the spells.

[crimhthanthegreat]

We use Men & Magic, plus carefully selected spells from official TSR sources, Arduin and house rules. I will get around to listing our typical spell list eventually.

[foster1941]

Spells from Vol. I plus selected spells from Supp. I -- specifically, the 2nd and 3rd level cleric spells (to bring it to an even 6 spells/level). Mages can perhaps research/invent the new level 1-6 spells from Supp. I, but they're not automatically part of their spell books. IMG level 7+ m-u and 6+ cleric spells don't exist -- some of them are recategorized as lower level spells, some of them are rituals outside of the normal "Vancian" spell system, most of them just plain don't exist. It's a theory of mine that these spells were never really intended for PC use anyway -- they were there as background color for super-high level NPCs and monsters (liches, titans) and for a PC to perhaps occasionally find on a scroll, but the ideas of PCs getting up the levels where they could actually memorize these spells was, I think, almost unthinkable (cf. in an article in TSR in 1976 Gygax states that to his knowledge no player in either Blackmoor or Greyhawk had gone higher than 14th level in 5 and 4 (respectively) years of play).

[WSmith]

foster1941 said:

Spells from Vol. I plus selected spells from Supp. I -- specifically, the 2nd and 3rd level cleric spells (to bring it to an even 6 spells/level). Mages can perhaps research/invent the new level 1-6 spells from Supp. I, but they're not automatically part of their spell books. IMG level 7+ m-u and 6+ cleric spells don't exist -- some of them are recategorized as lower level spells, some of them are rituals outside of the normal "Vancian"; spell system, most of them just plain don't exist. It's a theory of mine that these spells were never really intended for PC use anyway -- they were there as background color for super-high level NPCs and monsters (liches, titans) and for a PC to perhaps occasionally find on a scroll, but the ideas of PCs getting up the levels where they could actually memorize these spells was, I think, almost unthinkable (cf. in an article in TSR in 1976 Gygax states that to his knowledge no player in either Blackmoor or Greyhawk had gone higher than 14th level in 5 and 4 (respectively) years of play).

I agree with this. After years and years of wanting and having tomes upon tomes of game spells, I have realized that I don't like huge spell lists. I like where M&M caps off its spell levels for the casters. Plus, like Foster said, the ref' can introduce the spells he wants from Sup I and beyond through spell research or a well placed scroll.

[murquhart72]

I like sticking with the originals, but allowing any others from the supplements to be "researched". Especially for those who want "their own" spell, but lack the imagination to make something up

[Rhuvein]

I would use M&M + the GH supplement to see how it goes. The simplicity and basics of the classes, combat & magic continues to appeal to me as a DM. But I wonder what my players would think. I guess I'll have to discuss it with them. I think most of them would be willing to it.