[Magic] Differences between Enchantments

[VariousRen]

I'm looking at getting some equipment enchanted, and noticed some overlap in protective abilities. Deflect adds a DB bonus to an item like a weapon, shield, or armour. Defending Shield adds a bonus to blocking for a specific shield, but is much more expensive than Deflect for the same +1 bonus (500 vs 100). Does the bonus from Deflect not add onto the defense bonus of a shield, or is Defending Shield only worth it once a few levels of Deflect has been taken?

[roguebfl]

It's not the same +1. Defending Shield is adding to the Block (effectively +2 to the Shield skill) when using that enchanted shield. And because they're not the same you cand have +3 to blocking by having Defieding Shiled +1 and Defect +2 for 1000 energy [cheaper than Deflect + 3 for 2000 or Defending shield + 3 for 2000]

[VariousRen]

Originally Posted by roguebfl

It's not the same +1. Defending Shield is adding to the Block (effectively +2 to the Shield skill) when using that enchanted shield. And because they're not the same you cand have +3 to blocking by having Defieding Shiled +1 and Defect +2 for 1000 energy [cheaper than Deflect + 3 for 2000 or Defending shield + 3 for 2000]

Okay, so it's almost always better to stick Deflect on something first, and then use Defending Weapon or Defending Shield to get the bonus up even higher when the cost of Deflect gets higher. It just struck me as odd, since the bonus from Deflect is more general (All defenses, not just block or parry) but is cheaper at +1 and +2, and the same at +3.

[scc]

Please note that the DB bonus in Deflect also adds to Parry and Dodge rolls, for the later RAW says it even works against firearms!

[Bruno]

Originally Posted by VariousRen

Okay, so it's almost always better to stick Deflect on something first, and then use Defending Weapon or Defending Shield to get the bonus up even higher when the cost of Deflect gets higher. It just struck me as odd, since the bonus from Deflect is more general (All defenses, not just block or parry) but is cheaper at +1 and +2, and the same at +3.

Yes, it is odd. *shrug* GURPS Magic has some (cough) inconsistencies and could do with a rewrite. We may not get a rewrite, as such, but the DF RPG is getting a new spells book that will include a lot of revised spells (but only a subset of the list from Magic... which may not be a bad idea anyways).

I've swapped the prices around in my game. I also added an armor piercing enchantment.

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by Bruno

I've swapped the prices around in my game. I also added an armor piercing enchantment.

You mean besides Penetrating Weapon?

[Bruno]

Originally Posted by Fred Brackin

You mean besides Penetrating Weapon?

My bad, armor hardening enchantment. The one of that pair that's conspicuously missing.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by VariousRen

Okay, so it's almost always better to stick Deflect on something first, and then use Defending Weapon or Defending Shield to get the bonus up even higher when the cost of Deflect gets higher.

Deflect increases the chance of the shield taking damage, Defending Shield doesn't.

[corwyn]

Originally Posted by Bruno

Yes, it is odd. *shrug* GURPS Magic has some (cough) inconsistencies and could do with a rewrite. We may not get a rewrite, as such, but the DF RPG is getting a new spells book that will include a lot of revised spells (but only a subset of the list from Magic... which may not be a bad idea anyways).

Unfortunately that will not include any Enchantment spells.

[Bruno]

Originally Posted by corwyn

Unfortunately that will not include any Enchantment spells.

The game will include enchantments (organized with treasure, IIRC, but don't quote me). They won't be written up as spells, but you can back-form the energy costs from the prices and use the prerequisite chains from Magic (or make your own).

Similarly, at least some of the non Enchantment-college spells will have enchantments, from which you can back-form their energy cost to enchant.