tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4491933635924780786.post414709437155766866..comments2023-03-12T03:07:50.202-07:00Comments on Spirit of the Blank: [Fantasy] Another Magic IdeaMike Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11547961835994778883noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4491933635924780786.post-40479255752809567242012-02-09T05:27:39.305-08:002012-02-09T05:27:39.305-08:00Thanks for the response!
I think this may be a ma...Thanks for the response!<br /><br /><i>I think this may be a matter of perspective, because I'm more inclined to see that as the mage using an Average (+1) skill than the ranger casting a 4th-level spell. In other words, you may be casting spells in the fiction -- and I love the idea of having the PHB open on the table -- but in mechanical terms, you can't expect those spells to behave exactly like their D&D counterparts.</i><br /><br />Good point! I think the player was suffering from a bit of envy at that point, seeing the other characters so be so effective each turn, when he had but one shot at a +4 attack. I'm happy with calling that the price of versatility, though.<br /><br /><i>Seems like it'd work fine (we already have DFRPG as a model, so there's precedent). I feel like it makes a weird divide between combat and non-combat, but it's certainly worth trying out.</i><br /><br />I should clarify that this change would be universally applied, so magic spells would always add their spell levels in the DFRPG manner of weapon damage. This might be too much bonus to sling, but I'm willing to give it a shot.<br /><br />Thanks again!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11708055875713553450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4491933635924780786.post-20482974956112631952012-02-07T13:00:57.215-08:002012-02-07T13:00:57.215-08:00Hey, what are the odds that I chose today to look ...Hey, what are the odds that I chose <i>today</i> to look at this post again?<br /><br /><i>Combat was a bit tougher, though. While the mage was trying to cast magic missiles at +1, the ranger was shooting his bow at +4 every round, which felt mechanically like he was casting a 4th level spell every turn. </i><br /><br />I think this may be a matter of perspective, because I'm more inclined to see that as the mage using an Average (+1) skill than the ranger casting a 4th-level spell. In other words, you may be casting spells in the fiction -- and I love the idea of having the <i>PHB</i> open on the table -- but in mechanical terms, you can't expect those spells to behave exactly like their <i>D&D</i> counterparts.<br /><br />E.g., you don't really get "weak" or "strong" <i>magic missiles</i> in <i>D&D</i>, but under this magic system, you'll have Average (+1) <i>magic missiles</i> or Great (+4) <i>magic missiles</i> or somewhere in between. I don't really see that as a feature <i>or</i> a bug -- it's just different. Like any other skill.<br /><br /><i>The front runner so far is to change spell level to have an effect on rolls similar to how weapons affect damage in DFRPG. Make your roll and add your magic skill. If successful, THEN you get to add the spell level.</i><br /><br />Seems like it'd work fine (we already have <i>DFRPG</i> as a model, so there's precedent). I feel like it makes a weird divide between combat and non-combat, but it's certainly worth trying out.Mike Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11547961835994778883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4491933635924780786.post-46388953793803646752012-02-07T07:39:34.046-08:002012-02-07T07:39:34.046-08:00Hey Mike,
My group and I took this hack for a whi...Hey Mike,<br /><br />My group and I took this hack for a whirl last weekend. We took the singular magic skill approach, and added the extra caveat of spells needing to be chosen from the AD&D Player's Handbook. Spell slots were determined on-the-fly (i.e. mages did not need to pre-select their spells). The bonus to the mage's roll was equal to the level of the spell.<br /><br />Non-combat scenes went wonderfully. Magic felt balanced, and intuitive. AND the player got to keep the list of Player's Handbook spells open to pick and choose from just like he always wanted. We interpreted spell effects on the fly based on the book's spell descriptions.<br /><br />Combat was a bit tougher, though. While the mage was trying to cast magic missiles at +1, the ranger was shooting his bow at +4 every round, which felt mechanically like he was casting a 4th level spell every turn. <br /><br />Right now we're throwing around some ideas for how to fix this, but haven't settled on anything yet. The front runner so far is to change spell level to have an effect on rolls similar to how weapons affect damage in DFRPG. Make your roll and add your magic skill. If successful, THEN you get to add the spell level. Not sure if that's broken or not, but it seems fair on paper.<br /><br />Thoughts?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11708055875713553450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4491933635924780786.post-32283745969985567332011-12-01T23:31:56.115-08:002011-12-01T23:31:56.115-08:00I like this a lot, not least because its an idea b...I like this a lot, not least because its an idea broadly applicable, with not much change other than renaming and tweaking to taste, to things like starships, weaponry, martial arts techniques, even superpowers.Madtellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06379278964342787376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4491933635924780786.post-37573025573941008932011-11-20T09:38:00.543-08:002011-11-20T09:38:00.543-08:00This is awesome. I really like it, and it does hav...This is awesome. I really like it, and it does have a more traditional dnd feel.Luke Martinezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17613401274696711406noreply@blogger.com