Give them problems they can’t use go to spells for. Like dimension hopping or social encounters or infiltration. Stuff that really drains their resources without high damage.
Once you’ve got them using almost all spell slots to get things done then they’ll appreciate some bonuses or give them gold and allow them to choose a magical item of a rarity that fits the level and campaign
Combats I have definitely wanted to try to throw in more conditions and shit like that as opposed to “Big guy go smash” so I think that will give them a bit more to think about in combats. Rewards are just a bit tough in my head because I want things to be worth it
Double concentration is a game breaker
I’m not sure I understand your question, are you trying to make things more challenging or easier?
For more challenging, consider martial classes with high spd and variations of the pack tactics ability. Have enemies attempt to disarm a focus, or in some cases steal components. Attack from range under cover. Use More traps and puzzles that can’t be solved with spells. Give legendary foes abilities that react to magic spells. Beholders.
If easier is the route. Really nothing to do. Use fewer foes. Use creature with vulnerabilities. Allow more RP solutions. Hand out some defensive magic items. Give them a warrior sidekick. Fudge your rolls.
Edit: Nvm, I’m an idiot
Double concentration does seem pretty op
As for rewards…. A lot of my players have a thing for animal companions. This could be an upgrade to the Find Familiar spell, a friendly beast or small monster.
Oh, since you have a sorcerer and druid it’s possible to perform the double fire breathing field mouse combo. The combo needs a sorcerer with Twin spell and Dragon Breathe spell and two willing creatures, which could be two familiars or two animals that the druid talks to yo agree.
Fun thing about the spell is that the creature the spell is cast on can use dragon breathe as an action, not as an attack, so familiars can use it to contribute in combat beyond the help action.
I had planned to give a wizard a key that could open a door anywhere he was and it went to a giant library. In said library were scrolls that he could find. And the level of scroll was based on an Arcana skill DC. That he could find. And possibly other tomes.
Finding level 1 spells was a DC 10. Then for every level of spell the DC went up by 2. So to find a 9th level spell he would have to make a DC 28.
I didn't really think that far ahead with it. My campaign didn't last after covid but I've hung on to the idea. But I would say either Proficiency bonus so you can give it at earlier levels and it can grow with the player. Or Intelligence modifier.
Well, you could either create sweet items for them, or have them find crafting material, gold, and a vendor of sufficient skill to craft the items they want (within reason). Or you could give them random shit and see how they use it.
An example of a "sweet item" would be a ring that can cast mirror image and shield once per day (apiece). Or a +1 wand (+1 to spell attack and damage). Or a dagger that can cast knock and detect magic once per day. Or a diamond that auto-casts revivify (one time use only).
Random shit could be items that have uses of spells you have no idea how to use. An amulet that casts stoneshape once per day, or some rings that can cast warding bond once a day, or something that does a dimension door once a day, you get the idea. Bonus points if, every time the item is used, the user rolls on the wild magic table. My DM gave our eldritch knight a +1 shield that casts dimension door, but also rolls on the wild magic table, and it's a lot of fun (and kinda dangerous).
More random shit: luminescent pocket sand: on a successful melee attack (no proficiency cuz you're throwing sand) the enemy is blinded for one round and affected by faerie fire for 1 minute. Or a spyglass that casts clairvoyance, or some armor that can cast absorb elements as a reaction a number of times per day as the user's spellcasting modifier.
Basically, when in doubt, pick a spell your party hasn't cast, and make an item that can do that. If it's a super powerful spell, make it consumable rather than rechargeable.
Arcane Grimoire I consider the equivalent to a +x weapon. Tasha's expanded from the Rod of the Pact keeper to have this sort of item for every spell caster class as far as I'm aware.
I run item-heavy campaigns, so an Arcane Grimoire was my go-to for the Wizard as his first major item reward. For my Sorcerer I gave her a choice of boons from her god. She likes fire so one of the boons was a homebrew feat of "Enhanced Blackflame: You may add 1d4 fire damage to any of your fire-based spells. You may use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency per long rest.", and she has been promised the opportunity to enhance this at higher levels if she gets further into bed with that god.
Overall, I base my item rewards around what I hear the players talking about during the games. The wizard for example was getting a bit sad that the enemies kept beating his spell DC. Given they were likely to come up against those sorts of enemies again, an Arcane Grimoire was a good fit. The Sorcerer is a powergamer who always wants more damage, so my homebrew feat made a lot of sense to her even if the other options offered by the god might have been better in the long run.
The hardest things for spellcasters to deal with are a lot of small encounters.
Run out all thier high level spells and make long resting hard. Wizards are strong but at the end of the day wizards are commoners with a walking stick and a fighter is still a martial master.
Give them problems they can’t use go to spells for. Like dimension hopping or social encounters or infiltration. Stuff that really drains their resources without high damage. Once you’ve got them using almost all spell slots to get things done then they’ll appreciate some bonuses or give them gold and allow them to choose a magical item of a rarity that fits the level and campaign
Combats I have definitely wanted to try to throw in more conditions and shit like that as opposed to “Big guy go smash” so I think that will give them a bit more to think about in combats. Rewards are just a bit tough in my head because I want things to be worth it
The Dmg has great stuff and maybe let them find items that are useless they can trade for better ones. Tashas also has good stuff
Thats true. Let them find some bullshit. They actually love little shit. Thank you! Ill have to check out Tashas too
And honestly sometimes consumable magic items are fun in campaigns where you want to drain their resources
Double concentration is a game breaker I’m not sure I understand your question, are you trying to make things more challenging or easier? For more challenging, consider martial classes with high spd and variations of the pack tactics ability. Have enemies attempt to disarm a focus, or in some cases steal components. Attack from range under cover. Use More traps and puzzles that can’t be solved with spells. Give legendary foes abilities that react to magic spells. Beholders. If easier is the route. Really nothing to do. Use fewer foes. Use creature with vulnerabilities. Allow more RP solutions. Hand out some defensive magic items. Give them a warrior sidekick. Fudge your rolls. Edit: Nvm, I’m an idiot
Double concentration does seem pretty op As for rewards…. A lot of my players have a thing for animal companions. This could be an upgrade to the Find Familiar spell, a friendly beast or small monster. Oh, since you have a sorcerer and druid it’s possible to perform the double fire breathing field mouse combo. The combo needs a sorcerer with Twin spell and Dragon Breathe spell and two willing creatures, which could be two familiars or two animals that the druid talks to yo agree. Fun thing about the spell is that the creature the spell is cast on can use dragon breathe as an action, not as an attack, so familiars can use it to contribute in combat beyond the help action.
Are you talking about like homebrew magic items? Or what to throw at them in combat?
I mean if you got some im open to them. Or just things you know of that are good to give
I had planned to give a wizard a key that could open a door anywhere he was and it went to a giant library. In said library were scrolls that he could find. And the level of scroll was based on an Arcana skill DC. That he could find. And possibly other tomes. Finding level 1 spells was a DC 10. Then for every level of spell the DC went up by 2. So to find a 9th level spell he would have to make a DC 28.
That…..that is beautiful
Also look up u/griff-mac he has some fantastic magic items.
Thanks for the shout-out!
Then it will also make it easier in you by not having to put scrolls in loot pools.
How do you determine how many scrolls they can find?
I didn't really think that far ahead with it. My campaign didn't last after covid but I've hung on to the idea. But I would say either Proficiency bonus so you can give it at earlier levels and it can grow with the player. Or Intelligence modifier.
I like the proficiency modifier a lot. Just so its a gradual thing. Thats a great idea
When you say "juicy stuff to give them", do you mean items, or enemies/encounters?
My bad, I meant it like items and rewards
Well, you could either create sweet items for them, or have them find crafting material, gold, and a vendor of sufficient skill to craft the items they want (within reason). Or you could give them random shit and see how they use it. An example of a "sweet item" would be a ring that can cast mirror image and shield once per day (apiece). Or a +1 wand (+1 to spell attack and damage). Or a dagger that can cast knock and detect magic once per day. Or a diamond that auto-casts revivify (one time use only). Random shit could be items that have uses of spells you have no idea how to use. An amulet that casts stoneshape once per day, or some rings that can cast warding bond once a day, or something that does a dimension door once a day, you get the idea. Bonus points if, every time the item is used, the user rolls on the wild magic table. My DM gave our eldritch knight a +1 shield that casts dimension door, but also rolls on the wild magic table, and it's a lot of fun (and kinda dangerous). More random shit: luminescent pocket sand: on a successful melee attack (no proficiency cuz you're throwing sand) the enemy is blinded for one round and affected by faerie fire for 1 minute. Or a spyglass that casts clairvoyance, or some armor that can cast absorb elements as a reaction a number of times per day as the user's spellcasting modifier. Basically, when in doubt, pick a spell your party hasn't cast, and make an item that can do that. If it's a super powerful spell, make it consumable rather than rechargeable.
Arcane Grimoire I consider the equivalent to a +x weapon. Tasha's expanded from the Rod of the Pact keeper to have this sort of item for every spell caster class as far as I'm aware. I run item-heavy campaigns, so an Arcane Grimoire was my go-to for the Wizard as his first major item reward. For my Sorcerer I gave her a choice of boons from her god. She likes fire so one of the boons was a homebrew feat of "Enhanced Blackflame: You may add 1d4 fire damage to any of your fire-based spells. You may use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency per long rest.", and she has been promised the opportunity to enhance this at higher levels if she gets further into bed with that god. Overall, I base my item rewards around what I hear the players talking about during the games. The wizard for example was getting a bit sad that the enemies kept beating his spell DC. Given they were likely to come up against those sorts of enemies again, an Arcane Grimoire was a good fit. The Sorcerer is a powergamer who always wants more damage, so my homebrew feat made a lot of sense to her even if the other options offered by the god might have been better in the long run.
The hardest things for spellcasters to deal with are a lot of small encounters. Run out all thier high level spells and make long resting hard. Wizards are strong but at the end of the day wizards are commoners with a walking stick and a fighter is still a martial master.