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Spellcasting against more powerful/less powerful foes

by Håvard

Some later editions modify the difficulty of saving throws etc to resist spell effects depending on the level of the caster and the target.

Here's an idea for how you could incorporate this principle without making things too complicated.

Caster Level>target level/HD: -X penalty to saving throws
Caster LevelX=Spellcaster Int or Wis modifier or for monsters assume HD1-5:+1, HD6-10=+2, HD11+=+3

This way, you don't have to know the targets exact level or make some kind of complicated chart. Also, if combined with the Optional Rule where ability scores modify savingt throws the effects won't be that dramatic while still giving some benefit to having a high ability score in your spellcasting ability.