09-10-2019, 04:20 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Sep 2019
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Spells without the Spell system
Hi there,
My GM is running a 4e fantasy game but because of some bad experiences with the magic system (from the previous campaign I was in) we're vetoing the 4e magic in favour of powers with the magic tag (-10% discount so long as they are so flavoured). As I'm playing a hybrid of spellcaster and warrior, I'm trying to create the equivalent of your typical DnD style spell list but could really use some help for the utility spells. Problems I've run into just because of cost have been brief area stun/status effects, healing or protecting allies and ways to use "macic" IE advantages in a fight which aren't just direct damage Innate attacks. Does anyone have some fun ideas for utility "Spells" to round out my current pool beyond my unimaginative Light Spell (accessory torch), Mage hand (TK 2), Fog (Obscure, sight, ranged 3) and various flavours of damage (the easiest to play with)? |
09-10-2019, 04:37 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Re: Spells without the Spell system
GURPS Psionic Powers, Sorcery and Sorcery: Protection and Warning Spells, and Chinese Elemental Powers all use a magic-as-powers approach. They're likely useful for ideas and inspiration, if not direct use.
An old thread with some spells from user dfinlay: http://forums.sjgames.com/showthread...23#post1915323 I think Raekai also had a list, either homebrew or conversion of D&D spells. But I couldn't find a link easily, so I may be misremembering. In the meantime, take a look at Binding for the basis of a lot of "crowd control" effects, the Wall Enhancement for Innate Attacks (which turns crushing attacks into, well, Walls), Affliction, which is the way to put debilitating effects like pain or nausea on enemies, rather than damage. You can also Afflict various Advantages or Disadvantages like Obsession to give them odd mental effects like fear (assuming you want a D&D style "run away" rather than just Terror). Affliction can also be the basis for doing some things to enemies like "teleport other". Last edited by Anaraxes; 09-10-2019 at 04:42 PM. |
09-10-2019, 05:36 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Feb 2016
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Re: Spells without the Spell system
A couple of suggestions would be the following:
Cantrips: Modular Ability 1 (Cosmic Abilities; Mental, Physical, and Social, +150%; Magic, -10%) [24]. Notes: An ability that represents the basic cantrips of every magical tradition. Deathtouch: Toxic Attack 4d (Malediction, +100%; Magic, -10%; Melee, C, No Parry, -35%) [25]. Notes: A necromantic attack that requires the user to touch their target. Major Healing: Healing (Capped, 4 FP, -20%; Injuries Only, -20%; Magic, -10%; Xenohealing, Anything Animate, +100%) [45]. Notes: An ability that allows the user to heal up to 8 HP of damage for anything animate. |
09-10-2019, 05:48 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Yukon, OK
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Re: Spells without the Spell system
All the Powers as Magic systems are compatible and at least easily cross-mined for your own builds.
Sorcery is built off Modular Abilities and thus the most flexible. Also there are a lot of fan based builds, the best site for which is by eggplant. https://enragedeggplant.blogspot.com...ell-index.html Thaumatology is a good model for a specialist along the lines of Magic Styles. Psionics is another way to approach the subject, most of the builds wont fit the typical mage. However it explores the power stunt rules which could be another stylist/specialist way to go. Finally Totems and Nature Spirits, while not intended as a standalone system provides the nuggets of one and the basis for a possession or summoning based style of magic. Its focus is directed towards a shaman as powers but could be adapted for demons, divine servitors, etc.
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09-11-2019, 01:46 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
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Re: Spells without the Spell system
Check out Enraged Eggplant's Sorcery page. There are hundreds of them. Just rebuild them to use Magic rather than Sorcery and you're fine.
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09-11-2019, 05:50 AM | #6 |
On Notice
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sumter, SC
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Re: Spells without the Spell system
I am move curious as to what went so horribly wrong as to put that much effort into totally replacing GURPS Magic with a homebrew system rather then going with one of the already provided alternatives (such as Rune magic)
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09-11-2019, 06:03 AM | #7 |
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Canada
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Re: Spells without the Spell system
Magic as Powers isn't a homebrew system at all?
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09-11-2019, 06:06 AM | #8 |
Night Watchman
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Cambridge, UK
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Re: Spells without the Spell system
A large list of D&D spells converted to powers is here. I've never used them.
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09-11-2019, 06:19 AM | #9 | |
On Notice
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sumter, SC
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Re: Spells without the Spell system
I'm not sure what you are trying to ask here.
Magic as Powers requires a lot of work and makes me recall my time with the Hero System where every freaking spell was built via powers. Gads was it time consuming as all get out to design spells. Quote:
This is why Hero System wizards didn't tend to have a lot of spells - they were very expensive in terms of points. False Magical Aura at [62]? For that amount of points one could have magery 3 [45] and have 17 points left over to get Illusion and Creation spells with. That is almost as bas as GURPS 1e Super's Magic Power [40/level] where any standard GURPS classic mage, even if they didn't have access to the Grimoire, would curb stomp near any other 400 point character as long as they weren't acting like a typical Silver Age villain/hero (ie the IQ of a cinderblock about 90% of the time)
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Help make a digital reference for GURPS by coming to the GURPS wiki and provide some information and links (such as to various Fanmade 4e Bestiaries) . Please, provide more then just a title and a page number. Last edited by maximara; 09-11-2019 at 06:35 AM. |
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09-11-2019, 07:02 AM | #10 |
Join Date: Feb 2016
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Re: Spells without the Spell system
Powers as Magic isn't that bad, you are just not going to get a lot of spells. If you want prerequisite chains for magic (you need X power before Y power), you may want a skill tree.
For example, Cantrips [24] is a prerequisite for learning Flame Strike. Flame Strike is Burning Attack 4d (Accuracy+4, +20; Increased 1/2 D Range, 5x, +10%; Magic, -10%) [24]. Fireball is Burning Attack 4d (Accuracy+4, +20%; Explosive, +50%; Increased Range, 1/2D, 5x, +10%; Magic, -10%; Selectivity, +10%) [36] and is an improvement of Flame Strike, meaning the upgrade cost is just [+12 CP]. Firestorm is Burning Attack 4d (Accuracy+4, +20%; Area Effect, 4 yards, +100%; Increased Range, 5x, +20%; Magic, -10%; Selectivity, +10%) [48] and is an improvement over Fireball, meaning the upgrade cost is just [+12 CP]. By using such skill trees, you can have a quite sophisticated magical system. |
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