Technically I have not beaten this hack yet, but I’ve made it to the Warring Triad twice already. Both times I lost my save data. On my third playthrough right now and thought I should stop being a lurker and pitch in a bit.
I think that the random spellcast rates of weapons should be tied to the magic stat, similar to how cover/counter are now tied to stamina. This would make Vigor/Magic builds much better, as magic would now offer more than just making spells stronger. I believe a good formula for this would be: (Magic+28)/210, with Rods having an extra 25%. This makes the highest chance of spellcast rate 90%, (Techinically 89%, achievable only by specing Strago into Shiva*30 plus the added 25% boost from Rods) and the lowest rate (Sabin) 24%. This formula also makes it so every 2 magic your character gains they get an entire 1% boost to cast rates.
Here is a “brief” rundown of how I believe characters would be affected:
Terra/Celes/Locke/Edgar: The elemental blades would have a greater longevity. Increasing cast rates won’t affect them too much until WoR, when your magic power is noticeably higher. This would make them able to compete with other mid game swords and be effective dragonslayers. All that and the Apocalypse & Illumina swords would be a bit better (not that they need it.)
Edgar/Mog: Dragooning without a spear would be more appealing. I think the “increased cast rate of swords” should be removed from the dragoon seal and instead let magic do the work, as you don’t get spellcast swords until IMRF when you can use Els (and relics) to increase magic; also, there is the fact that the Dragon Helm increases magic as well. However, I think the biggest change this would offer is that it makes Dragoon Mog viable in WoB. There is no way Mog can compete with Edgar when it comes to vigor and the poor guy doesn’t even have his moogle charm yet; but, Mog tramples all over Edgar when it comes to magic. Dragooning on Atma with an Ice Rod sounds more appealing now yeah? I also think this would give dragoons a build option other than pumping them full of steroids.
Strago/Relm/Mog: Attacking with rods will be better if this is implemented. All the characters who use rods have high magic combined with the 25% boost from rods make them a reliable way to deal elemental magic damage when you don’t know the spell (or have enough rods in your inventory.) Imagine this: Going to fight Hidon but you don’t have enough GP to stock up on flame rods. Instead you equip Strago with one and have him attack Hidon, higher magic lands Fire2 more often. Less effective than stocking up on rods, but still reliable. It would also be cute so see Mog Cover/Counter with some spell sticks.
Setzer: Doom Darts.
Cyan/Shadow: I don’t think these two would be affected too much. They both have decent starting magic and they will probably be doing something other than throwing wind at the enemies.
Gau/Umaro: Unaffected
Relm: Pretty much what I said about rods but your healing and buffing allies instead of throwing element weaknesses around.
Gogo: Ctrl+F “Rods”
Sabin: The only character who would suffer from this change. His magic starts low and stays that way. With the formula I gave his claws would have the cast rates reduced to 24%, looks like vigor Sabin is ruined.
I’m not sure if this idea has come up before or if I’m repeating somethings already mentioned, but I’ve been thinking about this recently and how much better it would make certain builds. Anyway, fantastic mod. Literally the best hack I’ve ever played and looking forward to more in the future