D&D 3E/3.5 [3.5] Spell Focus -- slightly less nerfed.

[comrade raoul]

I'd contemplating a quick and simple change to immediately apply when I get my 3.5e books. What if, drawing on the law of diminishing marginal utility, Spell Focus gave a +2 bonus to DC, but Greater Spell only gave an additional +1? That way, you do take some steps to keep saving throw DCs under control, but you also make both feats somewhat more worthwhile and create interesting choices: the mage who decides to maximize the DCs of his favorite school will still happily take both feats, but casters also have real incentive to diversify.

 

[Technik4]

Heh

Since the great Spell Focus controversy I had been thinking along the same lines, but the inverse. Spell Focus would grant +1, Greater would grant +2 (+3 total). So the truly dedicated get the larger benefits.

I think this would be especially more balanced if there was some sort of requirement to getting these feats. Actually I just thought of something kinda neat.

For spell focus you must prepare one of your slots per spell level in your favored school. More than 1 spell focus means more than 1 spell prepared in this manner. A specialist wizard's bonus spell slot automatically counts for this requirement.

For greater spell focus you must prepare 2 of your slots per spell level in your favored school. More than 1 greater spell focus means 4 spells/level must be devoted to whatever school's you picked. A specialist wizard's bonus spell slot only counts for 1 of the required slots for this feat.

Technik

 

[Destil]

Yep. +2 Spell Focus, +1 Greater Spell Focus. That's basicly what I think the designers should have done if they didn't have the guts to simply put "Do not allow greater spell focus" into the update guidlines of the FRCS...

Personally, though, I'm planning on expermenting with the +1 to caster level, Save DCs and opposed rolls idea that's poped up on the boards in my game. Much more valuable for all schools.