Spell Points

Instead of having a number of spells each level that a spellcaster can cast she gets a number of spell points equal to the sum of each spell level multiplied by the number of spells per day of that level available to her.

For quick reference you can use this table:

Table: Spell points by class

In addition every spellcasting character gains a number of bonus spell points dependent on her key ability score and maximum spell-level she can cast. These bonus spell points are calculated similarly to spell points granted from her class, for each spellcasting class you have multiply the number of bonus spells you gain for each spell level by their level. The following table summarizes the bonus spell points you receive this way.

Table: Bonus Spell points

                Maximum spell level

Multiclassing

A character with multiple spellcasting classes adds the total spell points of each arcane spellcasting class (including bonus spell points for each) together and can cast spells from all arcane classes using the same spell point pool. The same applies for spell points from multiple divine spellcasting classes. However a character with both divine and arcane spellcasting classes does not add spell points from arcane classes together with spell points from divine classes unless they have a prestige class that advances in both arcane and divine spellcasting, such as mystic theurge.

An alchemist’s extract points are not added together with spell points.

Spending and regaining Spell Points

To cast a spell you must expend a number of spell points from your spell point pool equal to three times the spell’s spell level - 2.

Spell point cost = (3 x spell-level) - 2

If you don’t have enough spell points left to match the cost of the spell, you cannot cast it.

You can regain spell points up to your maximum number of spell points by resting for 8 hours. Magic items that normally restore spell slots per day, such as a pearl of power, instead restore a number of spell-points equal to the cost of a spell of the same level.

Preparing spells

Classes that prepare spells ahead of casting them prepare the same number of spells each day as they normally do (as shown in the class’s Spells per Day table, including bonus spells per day), but when cast, the spell isn’t expended, only the appropriate number of spell points. You can continue casting the prepared spell as long as you have enough spell points to cast it. This means you need to prepare each spell only once per day.

Classes that don’t prepare spells can cast any spell they know by expending the appropriate number of spell points at any time.

Nova

Spellcasters act as conduits for energies that can easily become overwhelming. Each spellcaster has a Nova Threshold, this is equal to 10 or one third of your maximum number of spell points (whichever is higher). If you have more than one spell point pool, you have a separate nova threshold for each pool that applies to that spell point pool only.

When you spend more spell points than your nova threshold, you are overwhelmed by the magical energies. Your spell point pool is drained by 2d20 spell points and you must pass a will save DC 15+the spell level of the last spell cast or pass out for 1d100 rounds. The spell is still cast even if you pass out.

Taking a 5 minute meditation period allows you to reset the number of spell points you spent counting against your nova threshold. This does not restore your spell point pool per day, but allows you to spend more spell points that day without suffering a nova.

Classes

Some classes have special spell-casting abilities that work differently with spell-points.

Alchemist

Instead of spell points an alchemist uses extract points but they function the same way. An alchemist prepares extracts normally and uses them by expending extract points. Using too many extracts can cause an alchemist to suffer a nova the same way as a regular spellcaster would, he needs to rest for five minutes to clear his body from the alchemical residue and reset his nova threshold.

Arcanist

Arcanists prepare spells according to the table: Spells Prepared in their class description.

Cleric

Cleric domains grant a number of additional spell points separate from all other spell point pools per day that the cleric can only spend on casting the domain spells she prepared. However spell points spent from the domain spell point pool count against the cleric’s divine nova threshold and the domain spell points are added to the cleric’s regular spell points when determining the cleric’s nova threshold.

Table: Domain spell points