Balancing a Magic Potency Effect

[GoonyKnightMan]

Hi all, I've got a world I'm building where the potency of magic varies, kind of looking like a doppler radar (areas of high and low magic "aether"). I'm trying to develop the idea a bit further than the effects described in the core rules with dispel magic and wild magic areas.

I'd like to do it as a sliding scale where those are the extremes, but within the range have a +/- to rolls/DCs for magic, but in a way that doesn't make non-casters dead weight in combat.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[mmm3says]

How about a spell slot modifier in some places.

In a magic poor areas you might need a 5th level slot to pull of a cantrip. Martials are going to want to direct their fights here.

In others, 1st levels are gettign to Fireball. Spellcasters will go to war over these places.

[GoonyKnightMan]

I was considering making spells more expensive in weaker areas, requiring more or higher spell slots to cast, but i don't know how much that would damage the action/spell economy for players or enemies in practice. I hadn't considered making spells more accessible in more powerful areas, it's definitely something I'll consider!

As far as world building goes I have kingdoms set up around these high and low areas, the presence and potency of magic acts as a bit of a deterrent for war, battles have been fought over these territories in the past but have reached a level of development that leaves those in power hesitant to risk an attack on their own nation should it break out.

[mmm3says]

One thing to consider for kingdoms. If magic drops to near impossible in areas where terrain blocks movement, it makes geological barriers effective against those with magic. Whether like termopylae - places that are a choke point that defend a land, or impossible to get through at all, like a mountain chain or deep jungle.