08-18-2016, 04:27 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: New Zealand
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Magic: Itch vs Pain
The spell Itch causes a target to be at -2 DX until they scratch it. Does this include DX based skills? If so, why would I ever cast Pain over Itch?
Itch: Cost 2, 1 second to cast, lasts until the target uses a turn to scratch. Pain: Cost 2, 2 seconds to cast, lasts 1 second. Am I reading something wrong? |
08-18-2016, 04:43 PM | #2 |
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ellicott City, MD
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Re: Magic: Itch vs Pain
Pain also has a Will roll component to really screw somebody over, and people climbing cliffs or buildings face sudden death.
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08-18-2016, 04:45 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Re: Magic: Itch vs Pain
Pain makes the subject cry out, interrupts spellcasting, and causes the subject to have to make a DX roll or fail their physical activity. It's an amped-up Spasm, so presumably can also be used to make someone drop what they're holding, or otherwise fail physical actions in which they're engaged (not just climbing, in the example).
Itch has none of those extra effects. It's an ongoing distraction and annoyance, rather than an instant, sharp, targeted effect. And then, perhaps you just enjoy inflicting pain rather than playing annoying pranks. Some of the Sidhe are more malicious than others. |
08-18-2016, 05:05 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Mar 2013
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Re: Magic: Itch vs Pain
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08-18-2016, 05:05 PM | #5 | |
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: On the road again...
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Re: Magic: Itch vs Pain
Quote:
A Sith casts Pain because they're sadistic. :)
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08-18-2016, 05:54 PM | #6 | |
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Re: Magic: Itch vs Pain
Quote:
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08-19-2016, 05:30 AM | #7 |
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Dreamland
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Re: Magic: Itch vs Pain
You can with enough skill freely maintain pain, which has huge morale impacts in lots of situations.
To compare, someone tied up or otherwise unable to scratch would never stop itching. |
08-19-2016, 09:00 AM | #8 | |
Hero of Democracy
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: far from the ocean
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Re: Magic: Itch vs Pain
Quote:
I think the real advantage is when you need that extra -1 NOW and the extra reaction to the pain. That said, -2 DX is pretty high for an itch, even one that bad.
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08-19-2016, 07:57 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: New Zealand
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Re: Magic: Itch vs Pain
Thanks for your replies. I was excited about the ongoing Pain (I'm not a sadist, I swear) but it cannot be maintained. I guess both do have their uses. Multiple mages can cast Pain on the same subject, whereas only one Itch can affect a subject at a time. And Pain can stack with Itch.
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08-19-2016, 07:59 PM | #10 | |
Untagged
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: Magic: Itch vs Pain
Quote:
I had a cat whose allergy was so severe, the itching alone induced a seizure.
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