Can cantrips be improved?

Question

I have a player interested in ways to improve 0 level attack spells. Mainly, they're looking to not have to carry around a crossbow for attacks when they don't want to cast a spell, and the 1d3 damage from your average 0-level spell is a bit low.

Are there any RAW ways to increase the damage of 0-level spells and/or provide an at-will magic attack?

Also, any recommendations on house rules for something like this? Any reason you'd think this is a bad idea?

As a houserule, I have considered a feat or alternate class feature that would improve (or add) the damage of a particular 0 level spell to be in line with normal ranged weapons, the value depending on if the spell does more than just damage. For examples, Acid Splash would move up to 1d8 damage to be on par with a light crossbow, but say altering Virtue to add a ranged damage component, would maybe do 1d4 or 1d6 and provide the temp hit point to an ally within 5 feet of the target.

This is for a Pathfinder game but I'm perfectly comfortable with 3E or third party d20 options if there's nothing Pathfinder specific.

Answer 1

There are no ways that I'm aware of to improve cantrips (granted, my Pathfinder skills are not that good). However, as you included 3E solutions, I might point out 3.5's introduction of Reserve Feats. Basically, if you're willing to hold onto your higher level spells, you are granted at wills that aren't amazing, but are much better than a crossbow! Lots of them can be found in The Complete Mage.

Example:

Fiery Burst (CM 43)

As long as you have a fire spell of 2nd level or higher available to cast, you can spend a standard action to create a 5-foot-radius burst of fire at a range of 30 feet. This burst deals 1d6 points of fire damage per level of the highest level fire spell you have available to cast. A successful Reflex save halves the damage. As a secondary benefit, you gain a +1 competence bonus to your caster level when casting fire spells

For the sake of completeness I will also point out that the Archmage class in D&D 3.5 has a lot of abilities sort of like this. However, I can't recall any of them seeming very...good. But it's there, if your player would like to take a look!

Answer 2

While you can't improve the cantrips themselves directly, you can improve the accuracy and damage dealt by cantrips slightly by the use of feats. Weapon Focus specifically allows the selection of ray, which would also unlock Weapon Specialisation, although that would also require heavy investment in Fighter levels.

Alternatively, adding Rogue levels allows for the possibility of Sneak Attack adding onto cantrips. Other spells could then support the provision of Sneak Attack opportunities (such as using the Vanish or Invisibility spell)

You could also use Metamagic feats such as Maximise or Empower Spell to improve cantrip performance, or alternatively, Metamagic rods.