Reducing power of spells in general.

[AxeMental]

Unless otherwise stated in the spell description, can a 1E spell caster reduce the strength of his or her spells? For instance, could an MU of 15th level reduce the damage of his fireball to be minimal -perhaps he wishes to weaken the enemy to extract information (like where did you hide your treasure)?

What about area of effect? darkness/light for instance (perhaps you want to minimize the area of effect to draw less attention).

I would think no, you have to take the good with the bad (ie. don't cast that spell, think of some other way to get what you want).

I know this came up in the thread concerning magic missile. Just like I can't reduce the power of my 12 gauge slug if hunting a squirrel (so that I might eat it) I can't just reduce the power of a lightning spell or what have you.
Do you guys agree with this?

[genghisdon]

I'd allow a caster to reduce his effective level. My players never ask however.

[T. Foster]

I'd tend to say any spell that has variable effects by level, the caster can choose to cast the spell at a lower effective level if he wants to, probably with a minimum of the minimum level required to cast the spell (i.e. a 3rd level spell must be cast at at least 5th level effectiveness). But spells that aren't variable in that way can't have their effectiveness reduced -- specifically, for example, a caster could not choose to have a Sleep or Web spell have a smaller area of effect than what's specified in the spell description.

[ScottyG]

When you consider the fact that when scribing scrolls it's noted that casters typically choose to scribe them at a lower level than they are capable of, then the same option should be available while casting.

[Philotomy Jurament]

When you consider the fact that when scribing scrolls it's noted that casters typically choose to scribe them at a lower level than they are capable of, then the same option should be available while casting.

And if not when casting, then at least when memorizing.

[AxeMental]

When you consider the fact that when scribing scrolls it's noted that casters typically choose to scribe them at a lower level than they are capable of, then the same option should be available while casting.

And if not when casting, then at least when memorizing.

Those are both excellent points, and supported by written rules which is nice. I also agree with Foster in area of effect and anything else that doesn't change as you progress.

[francisca]

When you consider the fact that when scribing scrolls it's noted that casters typically choose to scribe them at a lower level than they are capable of, then the same option should be available while casting.

And if not when casting, then at least when memorizing.

Those are both excellent points, and supported by written rules which is nice. I also agree with Foster in area of effect and anything else that doesn't change as you progress.

So, if you were a 9th level magic-user, and you wanted to cast magic missile and only produce 1 missile with the spell, you would then have to memorize it as a reduced-power-to-first-level-efficacy spell?

[Philotomy Jurament]

So, if you were a 9th level magic-user, and you wanted to cast magic missile and only produce 1 missile with the spell, you would then have to memorize it as a reduced-power-to-first-level-efficacy spell?

Depends on the particular view of how spells and spell memorization works. You could say that the whole idea behind memorizing is that you have a particular formula that you prepare before-hand, ready for the final, relatively quick catalyst that completes it. It could be that the final "casting" portion is like pulling the trigger on an already loaded round. So if you loaded HE, you fire HE, not sabot (or, alternatively, if you loaded full metal jacket, you can't pull the trigger and fire a hollow point). If that's so, the "customization" of the spell might need to be done when you prepare it. (Or possibly with a separate utility spell that acts as a filter or enhancer or transmuter of the energies: there's precedent for that in the rules.)

On the other hand, you could look at it an entirely different way, and say magic users have abilities to alter their spells that aren't necessarily specified in the spell's description. DM's call.

[AxeMental]

Based on what Scotty pointed out, I'd think you'd have to memorize it to whatever level you wish to cast it (since creating a scroll is like storing it on paper rather then inside your mind, at least thats my understanding).

Its a big deal when spells get really powerful (imagine the difference in damage a 5th level fireball would do to treasure stored in boxes say compared to a 20th level). A MU has to think ahead or be more creative with other spells (ie. maybe keep one minimal fire ball on a scroll or in his head).

There is a UA spell Cromatic Orb (I think thats the name) that does different things at different levels (I don't have my UA handy so can't look it up). It may say if the caster can memorize lower level versions or choose at the time of casting.

[Terrex]

There is a UA spell Cromatic Orb (I think thats the name) that does different things at different levels (I don't have my UA handy so can't look it up). It may say if the caster can memorize lower level versions or choose at the time of casting.

I don't have it handy either, but I believe each chromatic orb spell effect is associated with a color/type of gemstone thrown. We played it that the material component (type of stone thrown) determined the version cast at any particular time. Memorizing the individual spell with a specified level seemed (and seems) a little overly granular for game play.

[ScottyG]

I would not require specific level declaration while memorizing. Scrolls are much different, IMO. You're just reading the thing to release the power that the scriber infused the scroll with. There are no somantic or material components. Thieves can release the magic stored in the scroll. They're magical items. They take time and cost money to create. Based on the blurb in the DMG regarding caster level, scribing scrolls with a caster level above the minimum required should cost more. In my campaign, I do charge PC spell casters more for higher caster level scrolls they scribe. But they usually do splurge on a few top level magic missiles, lightning bolts, etc.