| From: | Mark Steedman <RSMS@******.EEE.RGU.AC.UK> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Speed is Life : now elementals and sustaining (fwd) |
| Date: | Wed, 27 Sep 1995 16:38:35 GMT |
> I got this from Mark and I think that it interests everybody, so
> here goes.
>
well i considered send that reply list so fine Jani.
trimmed this time as its getting long!
> Yes, masking is the ultimate in hiding. I agree, but masking is a
> two edged blade, it will help you when up against watchers but it
> wont help you against highter grade initiates and believe me when
> they hit you its gona hurt more than ever, not only because they
> are hard-asses, but because you will not be prepared for it.
true but to get better that 'masked' requires a metaplanar quest,
true the target number (grade rating) is low for sensible grades but
you are only allowed to project direct for the metaplanes so only
possible if percepting not projecting.
> And dont forget that masking is only for initiates.
>
Which means you have to be very careful until you can afford it. By
the book rules simply turn all foci off until you need them, 1 round
(complex action) is astral percet up, free action check astral
vaugely safe, simple +3D6 initative lock on, with your astral
percept up to protect it. Ok it takes time but its better than BOOM
your mage turns into a fireball. The other solution is always to lock
detect enemies so you at least get a warning.
> > > and an elemental could warn you that
> > > a watcher saw him or even attack the watcher before it gets away.
> > > This however would require a different kind of bargain with the
> > > elemental.
> > >
> > yes and works on 1 whatcher, corps using 4 at once (3 to get blown to
> > bits while the last one makes it) however pose a problem.
>
> Well nobody's perfect, if you re that paranoid you can have 2 or
> even 3 of them up there patrol the astral :)
>
Use your own watchers could work, same numbers game again, and its
cheap.
[big chop]
> > comments.
>
> I simply think that elementals without threat ratings are a joke
> compared to their real potential. Thats why I feel that they should
> definitely get some.
>
true enough but this makes a PC mages ability to pull them in very
powerful if you give them to PC ones as well. It is very noticable
that at any sensible force rating the only way to get rid of
elementals with firearms (at all rapidly) is simply to hit them so
hard they run out of dice, give them a few threat rating and even
LMG's start having serious problems.
> > > What do you think of that ? This elemental could very well end
> > > up becoming your friend and contact, some sort of astral buddy.
> > >
> > friendly free spirits, yes it could, and yes i know how hard that
> > gets very quickely. How about getting the thing a sorcery skill and
> > initiated while your at it?
>
> It want be free, it will be just as bound as any other elemental.
> but it will be your friend. Kinda like the elemental from
> "Burning Bright", I really enjoyed their characters :)
>
The characters in Burning bright were good, it was nice to have
someone that knew how to use his initiate abilities for a change. And
yes some of those spirits even the bound ones 'hes not the brightest
of your servents'!! were rather good.
> > > Well thats when you call in the watchers :) The friends in
> > >melee modifiers alone will be enough to kick anybody's ass :)
> > >
> > Yep! Best use for spirits, in quantity. i was well aware of the
> > power of friend in melee, my players leant somewhat after some nasty
> > experiences involving HB and Aftermath, amazing what a pair of very
> > ordinary 'ganger' stat badguys can do fighting 1 PC, when they didn't
> > die of getting shot 10 actions before they were due to move.
>
> And thats even more true in the astral.
>
Yes watching PC with weapon focus katana cut up 3 off force 8
elementals in melee. [just cause he got to hit one first]. A warning
to those who say use more, the line between 'nasty fight' and 'new
character sheet time' gets rather fine. [must use fire elementals for
the ranged attack next time]
ok correcting subject typo as well
Mark
