| From: | Stephen Guilliot s.guilliot@**********.edu |
|---|---|
| Subject: | A different take on "Slaughter Enemies". |
| Date: | Thu, 15 Jun 2000 12:04:15 -0500 |
>By utilizing the spell-design systems in this merged sense, you do after a
>fashion create a "smart spell" of sorts.
That's right, but anyone who wants a spell to differentiate targets based
upon their mental state is asking to do exactly that. Of course, a GM is
always free to arbitrarily limit the effects of "smart spells" or ban them
altogether. A large part of spell creation is maintaining game balance, and
when it comes to game balance, the GM doesn't have to have a reason.
>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.
I would say the difference between "Slay Trolls" and "Slay Enemies"
lies in
their respective targets. They both selectively attack some targets without
harming others, but that's where the similarity ends. "Slay Trolls" only
affects trolls because it CAN'T harm non-trolls, and therefore gets a -1TN
drain for having restricted targets. "Slay Enemies" only affects enemies
because it WON'T harm friends or neutrals. To do this it must discern the
surface thoughts of a target before affecting him. In contrast, "Slay
Trolls" is limited to trolls because it can't affect the non-troll biology,
psyche, or aura. Very, very, very different spells.
From: naughty@********.com.au
>There is always the indirect target method - for example do a ram spell on
>a car. It WILL hurt the occupants (although maybe not as badly as a well
>aimed powerbolt).
True, but your occupants are hurt as an indirect consequence of hurting the
car. The magic itself did not inflict the damage on them, though it was
ultimately responsible. Even in this case, the mage must see his target (the
car), and if others inside are hurt as well, that's icing on the cake. On
the other hand, a manaball (or derivative) directly affects the targets,
therefore the caster must see them. I suppose it's possible that a Sam will
be manabolted while holding a knife over someone, the Sam dies, the knife
drops, and wounds that someone. Such is the tragedy of war.
From: Alfredo B Alves <dghost@****.com>
>Not to discourage you, but I meant compared to the post I was
>replying to. Phil Smith said that the spell would have a drain of (damage
>level). I was just correcting Phil.
No problem, D. Ghost. I didn't mean my post to sound personally or
necessarily directed at you. Your's just happened to be the last "Slaughter
Enemies" post I read, that's all.
Thanks for the comments, everyone.
Steve.
