diff --git a/common/ruletypes.h b/common/ruletypes.h
index e1475fa79..c3a8fd5dc 100644
--- a/common/ruletypes.h
+++ b/common/ruletypes.h
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ RULE_INT(Character, AutosaveIntervalS, 300)	//0=disabled
 RULE_INT(Character, HPRegenMultiplier, 100)
 RULE_INT(Character, ManaRegenMultiplier, 100)
 RULE_INT(Character, EnduranceRegenMultiplier, 100)
+RULE_BOOL(Character, OldMinMana, false) // this is used for servers that want to follow older skill cap formulas so they can still have some regen w/o mediate
 RULE_INT(Character, ConsumptionMultiplier, 100) //item's hunger restored = this value * item's food level, 100 = normal, 50 = people eat 2x as fast, 200 = people eat 2x as slow
 RULE_BOOL(Character, HealOnLevel, false)
 RULE_BOOL(Character, FeignKillsPet, false)
diff --git a/zone/client_mods.cpp b/zone/client_mods.cpp
index 541454a58..696214113 100644
--- a/zone/client_mods.cpp
+++ b/zone/client_mods.cpp
@@ -1240,6 +1240,10 @@ int32 Client::CalcManaRegen(bool bCombat)
 {
 	int regen = 0;
 	auto level = GetLevel();
+	// so the new formulas break down with older skill caps where you don't have the skill until 4 or 8
+	// so for servers that want to use the old skill progression they can set this rule so they
+	// will get at least 1 for standing and 2 for sitting.
+	bool old = RuleB(Character, OldMinMana);
 	if (!IsStarved()) {
 		// client does some base regen for shrouds here
 		if (IsSitting() || CanMedOnHorse()) {
@@ -1255,6 +1259,10 @@ int32 Client::CalcManaRegen(bool bCombat)
 						regen += skill / 15;
 				}
 			}
+			if (old)
+				regen = std::max(regen, 2);
+		} else if (old) {
+			regen = std::max(regen, 1);
 		}
 	}