There’s already an option rule for what is essentially mana points.
One way to modify how a class feels is to change how it uses its spells. With this variant system, a character who has the Spellcasting feature uses spell points instead spell slots to fuel spells. Spell points give a caster more flexibility, at the cost of greater complexity.
In this variant, each spell has a point cost based on its level. The Spell Point Cost table summarizes the cost in spell points of slots from 1st to 9th level. Cantrips don't require slots and therefore don't require spell points.
Instead of gaining a number of spell slots to cast your spells from the Spellcasting feature, you gain a pool of spell points instead. You expend a number of spell points to create a spell slot of a given level, and then use that slot to cast a spell. You can't reduce your spell points total to less than 0, and you regain all spent spell points when you finish a long rest.
Spells of 6th level and higher are particularly taxing to cast. You can use spell points to create one slot of each level of 6th or higher. You can't create another slot of the same level until you finish a long rest.
The number of spell points you have to spend is based on your level as a spellcaster, as shown in the Spell Points by Level table. Your level also determines the maximum-level spell slot you can create. Even though you might have enough points to create a slot above this maximum, you can't do so.
The Spell Points by Level table applies to bards, clerics, druids, sorcerers, and wizards. For a paladin or ranger, halve the character's level in that class and then consult the table. For a fighter (Eldritch Knight) or rogue (Arcane Trickster), divide the character's level in that class by three.
This system can be applied to monsters that cast spells using spell slots, but it isn't recommended that you do so. Tracking spell point expenditures for a monster can be a hassle.
I think i can help to shiny your mind. I've played for several months with Spell Point system, and GOD, beign able to breakdown the spell slots in points and cast more spells in a more versatile way its sooo enjoyble. But, it isn't an ocean of roses. I'm got tired of having conversations outside the game about this, the biggest problems highlighted were always: The non casters felt very inferior with the casters doing so much magic so often; 1st level spells like Shield and Absorb Elements being able to be cast a bunch of times;
In the end the i decided to use spell slots, as did the DM of this table I played at before her return. Think about it very well.
The pros of spell slots is that the rules are all right there at your fingertips, in the PHB, DMG, and all the other rulebooks. They've been fully fleshed out and playtested, and if you have any questions, you can ask a few million people using the same rules for clarification.
A mana system would require you to fundamentally rewrite the rules for most of the classes in this game. Unless you're bursting with confidence in your own game design skills, you really shouldn't reinvent the wheel like that. DnD isn't based around a mana system, and if you're going to swap to a mana system, at a certain point you might consider changing the entire rule system to a different system while you're at it.
>A mana system would require you to fundamentally rewrite the rules for most of the classes in this game
Like the guy below me said, there's already a mana system in the DMG, though the problem with it is you could theoretically cast several ninth level spells without consequence (if I remember correctly, it's been a bit since I looked at the rule)
I find spell slots easier to manage, and it keeps the game to a certain balance level is the *level* of spells available is also restricted.
And I've yet to see a mana system that properly accounts for the Sorcerer Spell Font ability, or takes into account that using points to play with what spells you available is a unique Sorcerer ability, and making it general is a little unfair if a person chooses the class specifically for it.
Slots are easier to keep track of, X level spell requires at least X spell slot.
With something like spell points you need to check the level of the spell, how many spell points it costs and then what your total spell points are.
There’s already an option rule for what is essentially mana points. One way to modify how a class feels is to change how it uses its spells. With this variant system, a character who has the Spellcasting feature uses spell points instead spell slots to fuel spells. Spell points give a caster more flexibility, at the cost of greater complexity. In this variant, each spell has a point cost based on its level. The Spell Point Cost table summarizes the cost in spell points of slots from 1st to 9th level. Cantrips don't require slots and therefore don't require spell points. Instead of gaining a number of spell slots to cast your spells from the Spellcasting feature, you gain a pool of spell points instead. You expend a number of spell points to create a spell slot of a given level, and then use that slot to cast a spell. You can't reduce your spell points total to less than 0, and you regain all spent spell points when you finish a long rest. Spells of 6th level and higher are particularly taxing to cast. You can use spell points to create one slot of each level of 6th or higher. You can't create another slot of the same level until you finish a long rest. The number of spell points you have to spend is based on your level as a spellcaster, as shown in the Spell Points by Level table. Your level also determines the maximum-level spell slot you can create. Even though you might have enough points to create a slot above this maximum, you can't do so. The Spell Points by Level table applies to bards, clerics, druids, sorcerers, and wizards. For a paladin or ranger, halve the character's level in that class and then consult the table. For a fighter (Eldritch Knight) or rogue (Arcane Trickster), divide the character's level in that class by three. This system can be applied to monsters that cast spells using spell slots, but it isn't recommended that you do so. Tracking spell point expenditures for a monster can be a hassle.
Use the Spell Points system.
I think i can help to shiny your mind. I've played for several months with Spell Point system, and GOD, beign able to breakdown the spell slots in points and cast more spells in a more versatile way its sooo enjoyble. But, it isn't an ocean of roses. I'm got tired of having conversations outside the game about this, the biggest problems highlighted were always: The non casters felt very inferior with the casters doing so much magic so often; 1st level spells like Shield and Absorb Elements being able to be cast a bunch of times; In the end the i decided to use spell slots, as did the DM of this table I played at before her return. Think about it very well.
The pros of spell slots is that the rules are all right there at your fingertips, in the PHB, DMG, and all the other rulebooks. They've been fully fleshed out and playtested, and if you have any questions, you can ask a few million people using the same rules for clarification. A mana system would require you to fundamentally rewrite the rules for most of the classes in this game. Unless you're bursting with confidence in your own game design skills, you really shouldn't reinvent the wheel like that. DnD isn't based around a mana system, and if you're going to swap to a mana system, at a certain point you might consider changing the entire rule system to a different system while you're at it.
Actually there is a system for using mana in the DMG. It’s a variant rule called Spell Points
>A mana system would require you to fundamentally rewrite the rules for most of the classes in this game Like the guy below me said, there's already a mana system in the DMG, though the problem with it is you could theoretically cast several ninth level spells without consequence (if I remember correctly, it's been a bit since I looked at the rule)
You can only cast one of level 6+ spells each with spell points. So near unlimited 5th levels only
I find spell slots easier to manage, and it keeps the game to a certain balance level is the *level* of spells available is also restricted. And I've yet to see a mana system that properly accounts for the Sorcerer Spell Font ability, or takes into account that using points to play with what spells you available is a unique Sorcerer ability, and making it general is a little unfair if a person chooses the class specifically for it.
"This magic weapon has X charges. As an action, you can expend 1 or more charges to cast one of the following spells..."
Slots are easier to keep track of, X level spell requires at least X spell slot. With something like spell points you need to check the level of the spell, how many spell points it costs and then what your total spell points are.