03-17-2021, 01:02 PM | #21 |
Join Date: Dec 2017
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Re: Death Spell - so how's it work?
I get what you are saying. The text doesn't specify, so I'd say this is a table ruling with significant consequences - if the cost of the Death Spell is paid as Mana, they you use it often, with confidence, against a variety of foes. The tough one is then adjudicating the comparison of caster and target ST: is it the actual ST score (as the text implies) or the Mana reserves?
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03-17-2021, 01:17 PM | #22 |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Pacheco, California
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Re: Death Spell - so how's it work?
As written the Death spell drains the caster's Mana in order to wound the target into unconsciousness. The advantage over the occult zap is that it bypasses Iron Flesh.
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03-17-2021, 01:39 PM | #23 | |
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Boston area
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Re: Death Spell - so how's it work?
Quote:
I do not think that Mana reserves have anything to do with the ST comparison. So, you see, I was taking a middle ground. A puny wizard with Mana reserves would have to cast Aid on himself to buff his ST and then cast Death spell. If he aided himself with, say, six ST and took 8 wounds from the Death Spell, then after the Aid spell wears off, he still has two wounds. Damn, when this thread was opened, I thought the interpretation was easy. Put together a group of well-meaning sticklers for rules and look what a mess we can make. |
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03-17-2021, 01:45 PM | #24 | |
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Boston area
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Re: Death Spell - so how's it work?
Quote:
It's also not altogether clear that it drains mana. It says, "The stronger one loses that much ST." Does that mean as wounds or as fatigue? A case could be made for either interpretation and if it's fatigue, the caster can immediately recharge with mana (if he's still conscious?). And, of course, it's not about caster vs. victim, but stronger vs. weaker. The recipient, if stronger, suffers the ST loss. If we think it's fatigue for the stronger caster, then it's also fatigue for the stronger recipient. I prefer actual damage personally. (I'm also puzzled why you think the only advantage is that it bypasses iron flesh. Outright killing vs. 1d damage is a fairly notable difference, as is the difference in ST cost.) |
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03-17-2021, 02:11 PM | #25 |
Join Date: Jun 2019
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Re: Death Spell - so how's it work?
I doubt I ever started a thread that got so many replies so fast it makes me dizzy. Or is that just a spell I feel coming on?
My takeaway so far from so many diametrically opposed opinions, every one of which has such strong supportive reasoning, is that I'll beleive the following until I change my mind:
Although I never saw it come up, I think the real use of it would be altruistic. You sacrifice yourself to weaken a stronger enemy before they can kill your friends. Maybe you get lucky and survive, but don't count on it. It's called Death for a reason :)
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"I'm not arguing. I'm just explaining why I'm right." |
03-17-2021, 03:48 PM | #26 |
Join Date: Dec 2017
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Re: Death Spell - so how's it work?
This is definitely not what the text reads. It is a reasonable (if powerful) table ruling about what that text could be taken mean. The distinction is important because many readers come to these threads without a deep background in the game, and sending them inaccurate information, even if its meant tongue in cheek, doesn't do them any favors.
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