[DF] Wizards: FP or ER
 

In trying to finalize one of the characters for my upcoming DF campaign, the wizard's player was thinking of taking Energy Reserves instead of an increased FP score. I can't think of any balance problems with this, but what issues does this present? Thanks in advance.

Re: [DF] Wizards: FP or ER
 

Well, it depends on your magic paradigm, but I don't see any real issue with it. I'd recommend making him buy ER that can't be used for Extra Effort, however. That would be Abilities Only, -10%.

A potential issue might be the recovery rate (1 per 10 minutes, regardless of what you are doing). If this seems too quick, you can make him buy it with Slow Recharge. Also keep in mind that spellcasting won't make the caster tired, unless you also allow him to draw on FP (which he'll only do once he's out of ER). Something like a -5% modifier on Magery if you can't use magic with FP (only with ER) would also be appropriate.

Re: [DF] Wizards: FP or ER
 

Letting the wizard by Energy Reserve at 3 pts/level generally seems fair to me.

He doubles his effective recharge rate, which is a little annoying, but he can't actually cast a larger spell than he would by spending the same amount of points on Fatigue. He's slightly more vulnerable to Fatigue draining attacks (which monsters should have in DF!) and has a little less endurance in combat. Overall, it balances out.

Re: [DF] Wizards: FP or ER
 

Energy Reserve is also specific to one single type of spells. Which may not matter to your player but the wizard-cleric in my campaign is probably going to find it annoying.

(Then eventually it becomes useful again once he has earned far too many points since he can then have ER magical 20 and ER holy 20 ...)

Re: [DF] Wizards: FP or ER
 

The best thing about ER is that when the user is cast dry, he is still as melee combat effective and mobile as he ever was. With FP this is NOT the case.

To accentuate this balance, I have 3 magic systems I use. Internal Mana (Sorcerers and MAges) and External Mana Wizards.

Sorcers CANNOT use external sorces, no Powerstoones, Paut or ER.

Mages can Use both

Wizards can use NO internal energy. They are the ones that must buy ER ( I have it tied to a magic item normally a ring, wand rod or staff with gadget limitation) or use Powerstones and Paut.

Nymdok

Re: [DF] Wizards: FP or ER
 

High FP is more generally useful, since it helps with things like FP loss after a battle, extra effort in combat (and yes, wizards use that if they're smart -- at least Feverish Defense!), and staying up late or missing sleep.

ER (Magical) is much more useful for magic, since it recovers independent of rest and parallel to your FP recovery (if any), and you don't get tired even if you blow 100% of your ER on spells.

So they're quite balanced, which is why they cost the same. Honestly, you shouldn't have any issues with a wizard maxing FP, maxing ER, or taking a mix of both -- all have upsides and downsides. But I will point out that, according to DF3, only true wizards may take a magical ER. Scholar-wizards, scout-wizards, bards, etc., may not.

Re: [DF] Wizards: FP or ER
 

Yes, Energy Reserve is listed as a Power-Up and they are only allowed for your starting profession. I have decided to adopt a slightly permissive interpretation of this: since all PCs in my campaign start out as 300-point characters with a template and a lens I am going to allow the lens to also be a "starting profession" but in order for it to qualify for Power-Ups they must first fully satisfy that lens' corresponding template. So a cleric-wizard must have at least Magery 3, IQ15, 30 wizard spells, etc., before qualifying for wizardly Power-Ups.

Perhaps I'm just too kind :-)

Re: [DF] Wizards: FP or ER
 

BCD -- I wouldn't say that you're being permissive. In fact is sounds like you're employing the "Changing Professions" option from DF3:42.

Re: [DF] Wizards: FP or ER
 

How would an ER be considered external, unless perhaps you bought it with Gadget limitations? It's an advantage integral to the character, otherwise, I would think...

Re: [DF] Wizards: FP or ER
 

What I'm wondering is how else sorcerers, mages, and wizards are differentiated, because with the information Nymdok's given us it seems every caster would want to be a mage.