So I (sort of) figured out a way to balance magic without micromanaging MP. Basically I was thinking that, since we're going for a magitek-ish setting, all magic would be needing tools like staves and shit. Except the tool you use to cast doesn't have to be a staff, it could be anything that's able to be equipped in the user's arm/hand slot, like gloves, rings, or something of that ilk. Maybe even the foot/leg slot if you wanna be all kung fu wizard. It's like how archers need their bows and warriors need their swords, thus mages would need their focuses (foci?).

Each focus would be geared towards a specific scope of magic. For example, some kind of elemental focus has to be geared to either firing off fire spells, or cooling off drinks with ice magic, not both. There isn't exactly a limit on how many focuses a mage can own, but there's probably gonna be an output limit. Meaning you'd have to keep improving your damage dealer like all the others.

Thoughts? Yay/Nay?

Also, alternate player races. I recall someone wanted those. What should we do about it?

EDIT: I just realized I never got your opinion on how leveling should work, Hollywood. Shall it be Fallout-style (permanent stats, increase skills at level +), Elder Scrolls-style (increase skills with use, alter stats at level +), a combo of both with leveling (increase skills w/ use, perm. stats, only HP/MP increase at level +), or no leveling at all (exactly like the previous, but with no level + bonuses).