Wednesday, May 12, 2010

How does it work?!

The masses cry out.

Well it is a Manna system where spellcasters get a certain amount of manna per day. (duh) The amount increases as you gain levels in spellcaster.

Spells cost a certain amount of manna to cast. This amount also corresponds to a Target Number. When the caster uses a spell, he makes a Skill check using his spellcasting skill. If he has the required manna and can beat the TN, the spell is cast. Easy peasy.

There is a chart that will be published with the book, showing how to design a spell (out of game), and what elements of a spell cost what manna.

You simply go down the list, “I want a ray (+1 manna) that does not allow a saving throw (+0 manna), that does 1d6 points (+2 manna) of electricity (+1 manna) damage”

Then you add up the manna: 4, so that spell costs 4 manna points. The TN at this stage in the game is simply 10 + ‘the amount of manna used’, so you would then have to make a “spellcraft” check of 14 to cast the spell.

If you don’t make the check you waste the manna.

Wizards have to hold a spellbook, but can cast any spell in the book.
Sorcerers do not need a spellbook, and can make up spells on the fly.

Q: “Why would you play a wizard?”
A: “predictability; Wizards use well researched spells, so if they miscast, the spell just fails, where as if a sorcerer fails there’s a chance they could “short out” (like a circuit) and the spell could explode in their face”

Q: “Why wouldn’t you play a wizard?”
A: “Versatility; sorcerers can custom craft an exact spell for their situation. Also with miscasting, there is also maxcasting (stupid name? I just made it up.) Sorcerers can also critically succeed and cause the spell to be … “Super Effective!”… Get it, like in Pokemon?

So there it is.
Ask and you shall receive.

3 comments:

  1. Im not posting until someone comments

    [taps foot]

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  2. So how easy/hard are these TNs going to be? I know it depends on what you're making the spell do, but it kind of sucks to be a spellcaster and always have a chance of failing at casting spells.

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  3. Pretty easy, as long as you max out your spellcasting skill.

    In the one alpha game I've run, (hopefully running another this weekend) my caster never miscast. He played fairly conservatively though.

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