🚀 go-pugleaf

On the subject of encouraging players NOT to always use the same
spells, it occured to me that you could do this by setting up the\
experience system (in whatever form it may take) properly.

For example, if you gave "magic-sphere XP" for using your magical skills,
that could only be spent on magic related skills, you could use something
like...

  Used magic in a useful (not inconsequential) way: 1 xp.
  Found time for experimentation and study: +1 xp.
  Depended solely upon experimental spells and untried formulae: +3 xp.

Simply put, the character learns less from using skills that he has already
mastered than from using skills in which his experience is limited. Of course,
this has the "disadvantage" that the character WILL use the spells he is most
familiar with when the situation is crucial- you don't take unnecessary
chances when your life is at stake...

If you break XP up per skill (like Cyberpunk IP's) you can add something
to the effect that increasing a low skill adds complementary IPs to related
skills, while increasing a high skill doesn't: the knowledge and training
necessary to get that good is too specialized to be applied to other skills.

  Alternately (or with the above ideas), you can use the magic mechanics to
encourage experimentation and creativity. For instance, you can give bonuses
to attempts to Resist and/or Dispell an attack based on their familiarity
with it... and if you can guess *exactly* what kind of spell your opponent
will choose to throw, you can prepare a counter-spell to reflect it right 
back at him!

Kiz