From:	Mike Alex <mra0118@******.sdsmt.edu>
Subject:	Re: Combat Spells
Date:	Sat, 4 May 1996 14:08:33 -0600 (MDT)

>
> for quite a few years and one of my player's tried to convince me
> that "Mana" combat spells (such as Manabolt, Manadart, Manablast,
> etc) caused PHYSICAL(!) damage. I told him no because there are OTHER
> combat spells which do that (ie. Powerbolt, Powerdart, etc) and it would
> obviously unbalance the game for "Mana" combat spells are FAR easier to
> resist than their "Power" counterparts.
>
> combat. The "Stun" spells (such as Stunbolt and many others) JUST do stun
> damage, hence even less drain compared to their "Mana" counterparts. Mana
> (the category) type spells HAVE no effect in astral space (PLEASE correct
> me if I'm wrong, I might be but that's my interpretation). So he's a

"Only physical spells can affect inanimate objects... Physical
spells can affect living beings, but they affect the physical nature and
structure of the being. ...he or she resists physical spells with the
Body Attribute. Unless otherwise noted, physical spells do physical
damage." SRII pg 127 bottom of left column, top of right.

"(Mana Spells) They are the only spells that can affect purely
magical targets. Mana spells are reisted by the target's Willpower
Attribute. Unless otherwise noted, mana spells do physical damage."
SRII pg 127, upper right column

"A magician in astral space cannot cast a spell at another spell,
but he can cast one at any other astral being. Such a spell cannot be
interceptec, and only spells that would affect the thing or being
physically will work. A sleep spell cannot be used to damage a magical
item, but it would work against a magician in astral space. Mana spells
only affect the astral target. Physical spels ground out and may affect
others."
SRII pg 148, lower right column

"A mana spell thrown at a target with such a dual profile (foci
and astral perception/projection), physical and astral, will only affect
that target, even if it is an area affect spell. The spiritual component
is contained in the physical component, so the area-effect is dampened.
... A physical spell thrown by an astral caster at a dual-natured target
will ground out through the targets physical component. ... area-effects
of certain spells continue onward."
SRII pg 149-150 lower right to upper left.

All above material Copyright FASA, 1992. Please don't sue me. :)

Okay, my interp on the above paragraphs is as follows. Two mages
in physical space, one (mage A) casts Hellblast, other (mage B) casts
Manablast. Mage B and all his friends use their Body to resist the
Hellblast. Mage A and all his friends use their Willpower to resist the
Manablast. Next round mages A and B decide to move the conflict to Astral
Space. Once again (now in Astral Space) A casts Hellblast and B casts
Manablast. Mage A resists the Manablast with his willpower, his buddies
back in physical space are safe. Mage B *and* his friends in physical
space resist the Hellblast with their Body score *ouch*.

*Whew* Hope this helps.

Mike Alex, mra0118@******.sdsmt.edu
"Resistance is futile, (if < 1 ohm)."

Quote of the week...
"Good, bad, I'm the one with the gun."
-- Ash, Army of Darkness