Variant: Spell 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 of 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 point 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.

Spell Point Cost
Spell Level - Point Cost
1st - 2
2nd - 3
3rd - 5
4th - 6
5th - 7
6th - 9
7th - 10
8th - 11
9th - 13

Spell Points by Level
Class Level - Spell Points - Max Spell Level
1st - 4 - 1st
2nd - 6 - 1st
3rd - 14 - 2nd
4th - 17 - 2nd
5th - 27 - 3rd
6th - 32 - 3rd
7th - 38 - 4th
8th - 44 - 4th
9th - 57 - 5th
10th - 64 - 5th
11th - 73 - 6th
12th - 73 - 6th
13th - 83 - 7th
14th - 83 - 7th
15th - 94 - 8th
16th - 94 - 8th
17th - 107 - 9th
18th - 114 - 9th
19th - 123 - 9th
20th - 133 - 9th