Clerics casting all spells spontaneously

[Zulgyan]

About 8 months ago...

T. Foster a.k.a foster1941 wrote:

I follow the convention of later editions (and what Gary Gygax reportedly does in his home games) and don't require clerics to maintain spell books (if anything, I'd be likely to go even further, and allow clerics "spontaneous casting" rather than requiring them to memorize/prepare specific spells in advance like mages have to -- per his commentary in The Dungeoneer this is how Paul Jaquays used to do it). I agree, though, that a straightforward reading of the rules suggests they do require them, and had I been playing the game back in the 70s I likely would have required it.

WSmith wrote:

Interesting. I need to try to find that, bscause after looking at the cleric spell list a few times, I thought that despite what happens in later editions, that they are supposed to have spontaneous casting.

Using only Vol I, Levels 1, 4, and 5 only have six spells. Levels 2 and 3 have only four. Almost all of the spells seem to be "situation support" utility type spells in contrast to the wide variety of MU spells which contain some hefty offensive/defensive spells. PLUS, if you look at the Cleric's spells allowed on page 18, you see that they have much fewer slots to cast than the magic user. It seems to me that the OD&D cleric is built for spontaneous casting. Now, once you start to delve into Suppliment I and beyond, this might not be so true.

Is anyone doing this right now in their games? It certainly sounds interesting and fits better the OD&D cleric's spell selection and spell per day capability. I think it will make both magic types more distinct, and give clerical magic a more divine feel.
Game-wise, it also seems a very good house-rule. Most cleric spells are very situation specific, and in the end, players don't memorize then because they are too specialized.

Thoughts?

Discuss!

[makofan]

I allow my clerics to whip out their prayer book and cast the spell they want by reading the appropriate chant, so they do not have to memorize in advance. In OD&D their spells are few and not game-breakingly powerful.

[WSmith]

After some thought, I agree. I would let clerics cast on the fly. Call it a gift from the gods if you will.

[Deleted]

I've done this for a long time IMC's. When the Cleric meditates/prays, they are not praying for individual spells, but for the ability to channel the divine power of their deity. If they are devoutly faithful, their deity will usually grant them the gift of miracles (which means, in game terms, that they have the spells per day "slots" open for whatever spells they choose to cast [restricted to experience level, of couse]). If they're a "Holy Week" Cleric, so to speak, they might not be blessed with that power at all, or if so, in a greatly limited capacity. Keeps the Cleric devout & honest, IMO. ;D

[Zulgyan]

Raise Thread!

Has anybody tried this recently?

Any experiences or conclusions?

I want to playtest it myself.

[hamurai]

I usually allow clerics to cast some spells without preparation, depending on their deity. Followers of a deity of healing would, for example, be allowed to spontaneously cast healing spells.

[tetramorph]

Yes.

Clerics cast spells on-the-fly in my campaign.

Fight on!

[Zulgyan]

Sept 21, 2019 20:07:28 GMT -6 tetramorph said:

Yes.

Clerics cast spells on-the-fly in my campaign.

Fight on!

What are the main differences you have noted in play from the memorization method?

[retrorob]

First, I had clerics memorize spells from a prayer book. Spells had to be acquired, usually 100 GP for level of a spell.

Then I changed my vision completely: no book or memorization needed, with all clerical spells available after level up.

[tetramorph]

Clerics still have to “donate” to their order to get spell books lvl 2 or higher.

But once they have the spell book they can call them on the fly.

I think it makes the cleric more useful to the party.

The cleric game is about dealing with undead and converting people and dealing with morale.

Hunting down spells and managing them through memorization is the MU game.