| From: | NeoJudas neojudas@******************.com |
|---|---|
| Subject: | A different take on "Slaughter Enemies". |
| Date: | Thu, 15 Jun 2000 00:11:33 -0500 |
Subject: A different take on "Slaughter Enemies".
> This is my first post to the ShadowRN mailing list, but I'll be brave and
> say "I disagree."
Bravo!!! A newbie with an attitude!!! Bravo!!!
>The point behind giving restricted-target bonuses in spell
> creation is to reward a less effective spell with weaker drain. Spells
which
> only effect trolls, for example, are less powerful than spells which can
> attack anyone. Therefore, we give them a lower drain (-1TN). Also, "combat
> spells and damaging manipulation spells, those that channel and focus
> significant amounts of lethal energy in a split second, cannot be
sustained"
> (p.118 Grimoire2).
All of course is correct.
> Spells that only effect enemies are NOT weaker than their general
> counterparts. Is it a detriment for a combat spell to only effect enemies?
> Who else would you want to effect? In fact, Slaughter Enemies greatly
> benefits from this "restriction". The mage gets to have an equally
effective
> spell (against his enemies) and not worry about hurting his comrads. A
great
> benefit, indeed(!!!) (...I say, as I cast Slaughter Enemies into a melee.
> All the bad guys drop and all my buddies are left standing over the
> corpses.)
That is the intended goal.
> Instead of a rewarding a more powerful spell with lower drain, I would
view
> this spell as a combination of Detect Enemies and Manaball. The favorable
> selective effect of targeting foes without affecting friends should also
be
> considered in the power of the spell, but I'll keep my point simple.
Viewing
> Slaughter Enemies as both a combat and detection spell, I would suggest
> using the "Detection Spell Drain Table" (p.119) as well as the "Combat
Spell
> Drain Table".
>
> Slaughter Enemies, type=M target=W(R) range=LOS dur=I drain= +1(drain
> level+2)
>
> Area of effect-combat, +1 level
> Superficial mind interaction, +1 target
> Area of effect-detection, +1 level
>
> Also note that, for game balance, combat spells require that mages be able
> to at least see their targets. If you can't see 'em, you can't hurt 'em.
> Cheers!
This is actually an excellent way of viewing the actual spell design for
this concept, and is probably a more game-balancing concept when viewed
overall.
There is one consideration with regards to this idea, and all though I
personally don't mind, the consideration should be taken seriously. By
utilizing the spell-design systems in this merged sense, you do after a
fashion create a "smart spell" of sorts. And although I personally think
this is just fine, the idea will often meet with significant resistance
amongst many players and GM's who have very specific, very resistant to
change, viewpoints.
Also, by implementing this alternative, you also bring into question why
then a spell such as "Slay Trolls" would work as the system currently
stands, because somehow the spell in question must be able to identify a
Troll vs. an Ork vs. a Human vs. a Dwarf...etc...ad nauseum.
Again, I personally really like your suggestion here, but I also see where
this could raise many questions.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
J. Keith Henry
Hoosier Hacker House (http://www.hoosierhackerhouse.com/)
Winstar Tech Support and Provisioning (www.winstar.com)
