Magic: Itch vs Pain

[Kiwi Chickenz]

The spell Itch causes a target to be at -2 DX until they scratch it. Does this include DX based skills? If so, why would I ever cast Pain over Itch?

Itch: Cost 2, 1 second to cast, lasts until the target uses a turn to scratch.
Pain: Cost 2, 2 seconds to cast, lasts 1 second.

Am I reading something wrong?

[Nereidalbel]

Pain also has a Will roll component to really screw somebody over, and people climbing cliffs or buildings face sudden death.

[Anaraxes]

Pain makes the subject cry out, interrupts spellcasting, and causes the subject to have to make a DX roll or fail their physical activity. It's an amped-up Spasm, so presumably can also be used to make someone drop what they're holding, or otherwise fail physical actions in which they're engaged (not just climbing, in the example).

Itch has none of those extra effects. It's an ongoing distraction and annoyance, rather than an instant, sharp, targeted effect.

And then, perhaps you just enjoy inflicting pain rather than playing annoying pranks. Some of the Sidhe are more malicious than others.

[mr beer]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Chickenz

why would I ever cast Pain over Itch?

Sadism disadvantage.

[Phantasm]

Originally Posted by Anaraxes

And then, perhaps you just enjoy inflicting pain rather than playing annoying pranks. Some of the Sidhe are more malicious than others.

A Jedi casts Itch in order to distract their foe with a minimum of discomfort.

A Sith casts Pain because they're sadistic. :)

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Chickenz

The spell Itch causes a target to be at -2 DX until they scratch it. Does this include DX based skills? If so, why would I ever cast Pain over Itch?

Itch: Cost 2, 1 second to cast, lasts until the target uses a turn to scratch.
Pain: Cost 2, 2 seconds to cast, lasts 1 second.

Am I reading something wrong?

Pain is substantially more disabling and can't be dispelled by taking a second to scratch.

[kirbwarrior]

You can with enough skill freely maintain pain, which has huge morale impacts in lots of situations.

To compare, someone tied up or otherwise unable to scratch would never stop itching.

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by kirbwarrior

You can with enough skill freely maintain pain, which has huge morale impacts in lots of situations.

To compare, someone tied up or otherwise unable to scratch would never stop itching.

Pain Cannot be maintained.

I think the real advantage is when you need that extra -1 NOW and the extra reaction to the pain.

That said, -2 DX is pretty high for an itch, even one that bad.

[Kiwi Chickenz]

Thanks for your replies. I was excited about the ongoing Pain (I'm not a sadist, I swear) but it cannot be maintained. I guess both do have their uses. Multiple mages can cast Pain on the same subject, whereas only one Itch can affect a subject at a time. And Pain can stack with Itch.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by ericthered

Pain Cannot be maintained.

I think the real advantage is when you need that extra -1 NOW and the extra reaction to the pain.

That said, -2 DX is pretty high for an itch, even one that bad.

Do not underestimate just how intense itching can get.
I had a cat whose allergy was so severe, the itching alone induced a seizure.