| From: | Steve Kenson <TalonMail@***.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Magic Questions |
| Date: | Tue, 2 Dec 1997 15:54:29 -0500 |
>Is it possible to push someone in the way of a spell ment for you?
>Combat spells never miss, but how fast do they travel?
In the way of a combat spell, no. In the way of a damaging manipulation,
maybe. As you pointed out, combat spells don't miss. If the caster got any
successes at all, the spell zeroes in on the target aura and zips off after
it. Spells in astral space travel at Fast Astral Movement (roughly Force x
1,000 kph).
Richard Gaywood wrote:
>But, combat spells don't travel instantly, as a mage on the Astral with a
>delayed action can intercept them and engage them in astral combat.
>Further, if a spell hits a living barrier, say a Mana Barrier spell, would
>it go off?
Correct, spells do not travel instantly, only NEARLY instantly. A Force 5
spell zips through the astral at 5,000 kph, pretty fast when it only has to
cover (say) 100 meters to its target. That's why even an astral form has to
have a held action to intercept a spell: the bleedin' things as fast, if not
faster, than the astral form. Generally speaking, I figure an astral form has
to be no farther from the target of the spell than the spellcaster to have a
chance of intercepting. If it's seriously in doubt, you can always use the
Astral Evasion rules from SRII as a guideline for whether or not an
interception is possible. (Basically, an opposed test of Magic vs. Force, TN
4).
There are really two ways of handling spells hitting astral barriers:
increase the target number of the spell or run an astral combat between the
spell and the barrier. Increasing the target number (by +1 for every 2 rating
points of the barrier) factors in the resistance of the barrier and reduces
the effect of the spell somewhat. It's a fast-and-dirty system for simulating
the quick astral combat that takes place when the spell tries to go through.
The more accurate, but far more complex, way is to run an actual astral
combat between the spell and the barrier using the normal rules. IMHO, if you
use the increased target number method suggested for Mana Barrier, hermetic
circles and medicine lodges, you shouldn't use astral combat as well. Both
methods are simulating the same thing. By using both, you hit the spellcaster
with a double-whammy.
>OK, consider this - spell goes off and a mage bungs a mana barrier in
>front of it. He wouldn't have time to cast a barrier, but if he has enough
>time on the Astral to intercept, he prob' has enough time to move an
>existing barrier into the way (if you let mages move barriers, that is ;).
>So then what happens? I reckon the spell and barrier go into Astral
>combat.
Simple one. Barriers, once created, are immobile. If you allow the caster to
move a barrier as a kind of block, see the options above.
>Also, what if you could place a dummy auro in the way of the spell that
>looked like it's target? Som sort of illusion spell which duplicates a
>person's aura. Take an opposed force test to see if the illusion spell
>fools the incoming and Robert's you mother's brother - magical chaff.
Doesn't work, IMHO. Remember, "all things reveal their true forms and natures
when viewed in astral space" (p.145, SRII). Illusion spells don't work in the
astral. Illusion spells cannot duplicate or alter auras.
mjohnson@*.ARIZONA.EDU wrote:
>1) The wording in the BBB for using Spell Defense dice is confusing. at
>what point do you have to say you want to use it? At the beginning of the
>round? Every 10 phases? can you allocate right when you are being attacked
>by a spell if you didn't previously allocate it? do you have to know you're
>being attacked by a spell in this case?
Spell Defense dice are allocated during Step 2(B) of the Combat Turn
Sequence. When the sorcerer declares his actions, he may also allocate dice
from his Magic Pool to spell defense and declare which targets he is choosing
to protect. Those dice are set aside until a target under the sorcerer's
protection is hit by a spell. Then the sorcerer allocates spell defense dice
to the target(s) as he chooses, to aid their Resistance Test.
A sorcerer who is hit by a spell is allowed to use any unallocated Magic Pool
dice to help resist it (p. 131, SRII). This is a reflexive action on the part
of the sorcerer and takes place the instant the Spell Resistance Test is
made. The player chooses how many spell defense and Magic Pool dice are used.
Spell Defense dice, once used, are expended. When the sorcerer's Magic Pool
refreshes, Spell Defense dice may be re-allocated.
>2) what is the rule concerning dual-natured beings and wards? Can a
>dual-natured being walk through a ward? I can't find a rule concerning
>this.
As several people pointed out, wards act as astral barriers. They are solid,
opaque walls as far as dual beings are concerned. To pass through a ward, a
dual being must overcome it in astral combat.
Physads and Shielding (from various people):
Sorry, folks, but physical adepts do not get Magic Pool and they do not get
Shielding dice of any sort. Only initiates able to use Sorcery (i.e.,
magicians, sorcery adepts, elemental adepts, and shamanic adepts) get
Shielding dice. You can certainly allow it as a house rule if it works in
your game.
On a related note, I hope to put some effort into smoothing out the various
powers and advantages of physical adepts in Shadowrun 3 and the Big Book o'
Magic.
Sorcery and Spellcasting (from various people):
I would like to make spellcasting work more like other uses of skill in
Shadowrun, but nothing definite has been established at this point, so I
can't really say what is being considered.
Take care all,
Steve
