Spirit Attack: Innate Attack or Ally?

[Kristoffer]

So I am about to run a campaign, where the pc's wields spirit powers, but as I am trying to create some powers, I am not sure whether to treat a particular attack as an ally or an innate attack.

The attack consist of a spirit bison charging and slamming the target and disappearing. I figured I would use a Innate Crushing Attack, but I want the effects of a slam attack, like parrying against a heavy attack.

So if anyone knows how to treat such spirit attacks, I would appreciate some advice.

Another attack is a spirit bear appearing before the attacker and doing a swinging attack.

[roguebfl]

Can they potential get the Bison do any thing else other than charge? Like keep watch? give a ride? The build it as an Ally

if all to can do is the attack then you want IA (cr, Affect Insubstantial) and the image of a charging buffalo is just the special effect.

[Kristoffer]

It can only charge. But how do I emulate the effects of a slam attack with Innate Attack?

[roguebfl]

Originally Posted by Kristoffer

It can only charge. But how do I emulate the effects of a slam attack with Innate Attack?

That's just a Crushing attack. All crushing attacks have knock back. If you want more than than normal knockback then take Extra Knockback.

As it's a spirit based attack you problem want Affect Insubstantial.

Now do you want to require you move as well include Melee attack.

[Not]

Remember that you don't control allies. You might summon the bison and command an attack, but it might graze placidly instead.

The ally would be always present (therefore expensive), even if you only summoned him to attack. Alternatively, the attack could fail on a die roll because of the ally's unavailability.

This seems to me just a crushing attack. The stampeding bison is a zero point effect. Give it double knockback for fun.

[McAllister]

Originally Posted by Kristoffer

It can only charge. But how do I emulate the effects of a slam attack with Innate Attack?

Which effects? You can add Double Knockback, Armor Divisor (0.5), a linked "hoof attack"... you can't have it calculated from "hp" and "move," but otherwise you can use modifiers to make it do what you want.

By default, btw, it is impossible to parry an IA. Just don't add Blockable, and it's not an issue.

[roguebfl]

Originally Posted by Not

Remember that you don't control allies. You might summon the bison and command an attack, but it might graze placidly instead.

That is incorrect about summomable minoin allies, you order it they will do it.

[Nereidalbel]

Aside from just being a Crushing Attack, add Cone if you want it to "trample" a line of people.

[the_matrix_walker]

Originally Posted by roguebfl

That is incorrect about summomable minoin allies, you order it they will do it.

Actually, A Minion just won't leave if treated badly, but has no special inclination to obey over that of a regular Ally. If you order your Ally to attack, and they think it's a stupid plan, they'll tell you so (unless they have Slave Mentality, or a Vow to obey their lord/master/whatever). Most Allies are generally inclined to cooperate though.

[Not]

So whadda we got? Crushing, cone, double knockback, perhaps affects insubstantial.

You know, wall might make more sense than cone as an enhancement. A mass of bison isn't actually a wall, but it's not entirely different either.