From:	"Mark Steedman" <M.J.Steedman@***.rgu.ac.uk>
Subject:	Re: magic in the astral
Date:	Tue, 17 Sep 1996 12:11:16 GMT

dreamwvr writes

> Per the Rules:
> "A mana spell thrown at a target with such a dual profile, physical and
> astral, will only affect that target, even if it is an area-effect spell."
> [SR2, p. 150, top]
>
> On the other hand, it seems a physical spell will ground through to the
> physical plane and manifest as the spell.
>
> Does this mean that a magician can cast a spell, while on the astral plane
> (projecting), at a dual natured being?
>
most certainly, which is why dual watch critters can be a mixed
blessing.
> What happens to a Manaball cast in this way?
it either spreads on the astral, as normal or grounds into the
physical part of the dual critter but hurts that only. The rules
leave you the option of which you want to do, no definitive answer
but any non active folks near the dual critter are safe regardless.

> What happens to a Powerball cast in this way?
>
it could go off astral.
Or it could ground to the physical and affect all visible tagets on
the physical within radius, centred on th ground out point.

> Also, if the mage hovers 20 ft above the ground and the dual natured being
> is a barghest, he can just flame it without a second's thought. Right?
>
do you mean Bargest flame mage?
No the fire breath power is a dual, magical phenomena, it can only
target hysical beings, same as dragon breath (see GR2) does not work
on the astral.
The mage however can sit there and zap to his hearts content. Result
will be dead bargest in very short order. If the bargest has fear
(or some other mental style power) or can jump 20ft however the
result could be very different, i don't remeber that critters powers
off hand.

Mark