| From: | Ratinac, Rand (NSW) RRatinac@*****.redcross.org.au |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Expendable Spell Focus are Inexpensive? |
| Date: | Tue, 9 Feb 1999 16:15:28 +1000 |
> require any Karma to bond, are inexpensive and require only a single
> Exclusive Complex Action, regardless of force."
>
> Then Page 305 for cost "Expendable Spell Focus Av 3/26hrs Cost Force
> x 1,500"
>
> Has anyone commented on this cost? to me it seems excessive for a
> single action boost to spell dice or drain dice when compared to
> previous expendable fetish costs. I know the focus can suit a
> category rather than a single spell but for these to be
> "INEXPENSIVE"???? In our campaign this ranks with turning out
> elementals and I do not think they are inexpensive and at least
> paying 6,000 for a force 6 elemental can get me more than one boost
> where as a force 6 expendable spell focus gets me 6 dice for use in
> helping to get more successes in casting or in resisting drain seems
> to me to be expensive.
>
> Have I read this wrong or is the price of 1,500 x Force correct? I
> have had a quick scan of SR3 errata and have not noticed any
> corrections.
> Malcolm
>
> Okay, Malcolm,
>
> I believe the idea is that, compared to OTHER FOCI (not elementals),
> they're cheap (and don't use karma, obviously). Those same six dice
> in, say, a power focus, costs 630 000 nuyen. It's cheaper for specific
> spell foci, but not a whole lot. You also don't have to worry about
> them being astrally traced back to you or anything like that.
>
> You're really just comparing them to the wrong things. As far as
> elementals go, they're a different thing altogether, although there is
> ONE service you can use with the elemental that can have the same
> effect.
>
> If you DO want to compare them to elementals, look at it this way. You
> can have as many expendable foci as you like. You can only have
> (Charisma) elementals. Elementals are cheaper and you (usually) get
> more than one use out of them. Buying expendable foci is quicker than
> summoning elementals. Of course, if you want to ENCHANT your own foci,
> time swings in favour of the elementals again - but the cost for the
> foci comes down. It's just a tradeoff of a different nature. In use,
> the edge is with the foci - one complex action to use them. Elementals
> require a complex action to get them to come, then the complex action
> for the spell (plus a simple action to order the elemental to assist
> your spell casting? I'm not sure about that...). At any rate, it takes
> you 2 to 2.5 times as long to cast the spell with the aid of an
> elemental as it does to use your expendable focus.
>
> So there are balances in each direction. Personally, I think that
> elementals kick ass on expendable foci (if used right), but then, I
> almost always play shamans anyway. :)
>
> If you REALLY want, I suppose you as a GM could make expendable foci
> cheaper - but at most, I'd recommend dropping the price to 1000 x
> Force. In any case, I think you're either crazy ( :) ) or your
> campaign is very high powered if you use either expendable foci or
> elementals for bonus dice all the time. They should be a one shot,
> emergency fix, when you absolutely HAVE to make your spell count - or
> just can't afford to take any more drain. In the former case, well,
> yeah... In the latter case, you should have the money to blow on them
> anyway, shouldn't you?
>
> Personally, 18 dice to split between effect and drain resistance for a
> starting character is enough for me (Willpower 6, Sorcery 6, Spell
> Pool 6).
>
> *Doc' wonders if using a Power Focus 6, Combat Spell Focus 6, Specific
> Spell Focus (Powerball) 6, Force 12 Elemental (gotta love that elven
> charisma) and an Expendable Combat Spell Focus 9 would be considered
> excessive when dealing with the dumb gangers trying to extort money
> from him.*
>
> Doc'
>
> .sig Sauer
