Death Spell conversion to RPM

[Nexahs]

This is my first attempt at converting a vanilla Magic spell to an RPM ritual, so any comments would be hugely helpful. (I also posted this in another thread several days ago but that thread seems to have considerably slowed down.) It's based on Abominable Alteration from GURPS Death Spells.

Cardiomegaly
Spell Effects: Greater Transform Body
Inherent Modifiers: Affliction, Heart Attack + Damage, Internal Crushing (No Knockback)
Greater Effects: 1 (x3)

This ritual transforms the heart of the subject into the heart of an elephant, causing massive internal damage and typically killing the victim due to the organ's inability to pump blood quickly enough.

Typical Casting: Greater Transform Body (8) + Affliction, Heart Attack (60) + Damage, Internal Crushing 2d (No Knockback, -10%; No Blunt Trauma, -20%) (4) + Range, 10 yards (4) + Subject Weight, 300 lbs. (3). 237 energy (79 x 3)

Obviously this is a hugely powerful spell but it seems really expensive compared to the standard magic equivalent (11 energy per Death Spells), am I doing something wrong or is it just harder to outright kill somebody with RPM?

[Kalzazz]

RPM is just more expensive for most effects

But an RPMist can usually muster way more energy

[ericthered]

If you want to do this cheap, choose an effect that doesn't have such a 'greater effect' explaination. rewriting the spell as a simple heart attack causer will cut the cost to a 3rd.

[Nereidalbel]

The way you should do the spells from Death Spells is actually Internal Damage + Altered Traits (Fragile: Unnatural) [-50]

[Nexahs]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

The way you should do the spells from Death Spells is actually Internal Damage + Altered Traits (Fragile: Unnatural) [-50]

I don't recall coming across that particular Altered Trait, what book is it in? Also, per RPM pg. 17:

"Adding just limitations is allowed as well, but it doesn't reduce the cost of the spell at all!"

Does that Altered Trait get around that somehow?

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by Nexahs

I don't recall coming across that particular Altered Trait, what book is it in? Also, per RPM pg. 17:

"Adding just limitations is allowed as well, but it doesn't reduce the cost of the spell at all!"

Does that Altered Trait get around that somehow?

Altered Traits is giving the target new advantages/disadvantages. In this case, you're giving the target a disadvantage that causes them to automatically fail their first death check. You still pay nothing for duration, as the disadvantage only lasts long enough for the damage from that spell to attempt to kill them.

[Nexahs]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

Altered Traits is giving the target new advantages/disadvantages. In this case, you're giving the target a disadvantage that causes them to automatically fail their first death check. You still pay nothing for duration, as the disadvantage only lasts long enough for the damage from that spell to attempt to kill them.

Gotcha, thanks for the clarification. Unfortunately that would add 75 points to the energy cost, but I'll keep it in mind for future rituals.

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by Nexahs

Gotcha, thanks for the clarification. Unfortunately that would add 75 points to the energy cost, but I'll keep it in mind for future rituals.

Instant death that ignores death checks and DR SHOULD be expensive.

[Bruno]

Originally Posted by Nexahs

Gotcha, thanks for the clarification. Unfortunately that would add 75 points to the energy cost, but I'll keep it in mind for future rituals.

That's instead of the Heart Attack affliction, I think was the intent.

[Nexahs]

Originally Posted by Bruno

That's instead of the Heart Attack affliction, I think was the intent.

That makes more sense.

And I agree that the cost is justified I just don't think it's necessary for this particular ritual. I appreciate the info, though.