Spell Energy Cost Reduction

[Wayne]

In GURPS there is the concept of decreasing the ST requirement for spells you know really well. I assumed it was in TFT as well but can't find it. Here's the GURPS rule:

Originally Posted by GURPS

If your base skill with a spell is 15 or more – adjusted only by modifiers for sanctity, Nature’s strength, or mana, as applicable – reduce the spell’s casting cost by 1. If you have skill 20 or more, reduce cost by 2. Cost continues to decrease by 1 per full five skill levels beyond skill 20. Apply the same reduction to the cost to maintain a spell.

I think it would be reasonable to carry this over to TFT, obviously there is no such thing as skill levels so you would have to base it on IQ.

If your IQ is five greater than the spell requirement – reduce the spell’s casting cost by 1. The cost continues to decrease by 1 per each additional five IQ beyond the spell's requirement.
Apply the same reduction to the cost to maintain a spell.

If you are allowing Arcane Training then it may also be counted to decrease spell casting ST cost.

Originally Posted by hcobb

Arcane Training I through V
This represents intensive training in the arcane arts beyond the basic level known to a starting character. It costs 1000 XP for a wizard to learn (can't be taken by heroes or starting characters) and raises the wizard's IQ by one, but only for the spells he can learn, mana limit, and spell casting purposes.
This talent can taken a total of five times at 1000 XP per level.

[hcobb]

Arcane training would already help with spell costs by increasing the figure's mana storage.

[TippetsTX]

Originally Posted by Wayne

If your IQ is five greater than the spell requirement – reduce the spell’s casting cost by 1. The cost continues to decrease by 1 per each additional five IQ beyond the spell's requirement.

Apply the same reduction to the cost to maintain a spell.

I like this, but would it apply to spells that have stacking effects based on the ST you put into them (i.e. magic fist, fireball, etc.)?

Can I also assume that the ST cost could never be reduced below 1?

[Wayne]

Originally Posted by TippetsTX

Can I also assume that the ST cost could never be reduced below 1?

In GURPS you can have zero cost spells.
I think that's reasonable, if you have IQ (plus arcane training) high enough.

[Wayne]

Originally Posted by TippetsTX

would it apply to spells that have stacking effects based on the ST you put into them (i.e. magic fist, fireball, etc.)?

Yes, a 3 ST fireball might only cost 1 ST if you have IQ 22, or 0 if you have IQ 27

[TippetsTX]

Originally Posted by Wayne

Yes, a 3 ST fireball might only cost 1 ST if you have IQ 22, or 0 if you have IQ 27

Unfortunately, I have serious doubts about characters actually reaching those stat levels given the current XP progression schedule so the idea might be moot.
;)

[Wayne]

If some demigod manages to get IQ 33, I think it's entire reasonable for them to throw around 3d+3 Wizard's Wraths for zero cost :D

[Anthony]

GURPS has penalties for maintenance of spells; absent something equivalent, permanent (0 cost to maintain) buffs are likely to be a problem. Also, aid chaining (at IQ 14, cast Aid ST for 1->0. Next turn, use that ST for Aid ST 2. Repeat) would be a problem for casting that doesn't have significant time pressure.

[JohnPaulB]

Originally Posted by Wayne

In GURPS there is the concept of decreasing the ST requirement for spells you know really well. I assumed it was in TFT as well but can't find it. Here's the GURPS rule:
I think it would be reasonable to carry this over to TFT, obviously there is no such thing as skill levels so you would have to base it on IQ.

If your IQ is five greater than the spell requirement – reduce the spell’s casting cost by 1. The cost continues to decrease by 1 per each additional five IQ beyond the spell's requirement.
Apply the same reduction to the cost to maintain a spell.

If you are allowing Arcane Training then it may also be counted to decrease spell casting ST cost.

Here is my musings on Magic and IQ that was posted on another thread back in August. Re: No magic point costs? Psionics


New ITL P142 says "If a wizard knows a spell, the ritual he must go through to cast a spell depends on the difference between his own IQ and the IQ required for the spell. ...Spell IQ at least 5 less than the wizards: The wizard may cast the spell without appearing to move a muscle."

No gestures or vocals
In my way of thinking, TFT magic is really a pidgin form of Psionics. It is for those who need symbols and actions to make it work (probably because they haven't realized they can do psionics.) Gestures and Incantations are the formulas for those who haven’t yet gotten the knack of Psionics. Psionics in GURPS uses a whole different gaming mechanic; Perhaps Superpowers from Supers in TFT article would work.]
I’m not saying put Psionics in the ITL book, but it’s almost there now.

No energy
As far as needing less energy, I have this modification:
GURPS 4e Magic: “each spell has an energy cost. When you cast the spell, you must pay this cost in either FP or HP. The better you know the spell, the less energy you need to cast it. If you know it well enough, you can cast it at no cost.”

This could be converted to TFT like:
Spell IQ at least 8 less than the wizard’s IQ: The wizard may cast the spell losing one less Fatigue.
At 10 less than wizard’s IQ, wizard may cast the spell losing two less fatigue.
At 12 less than IQ…. And on down the line.

However the risk is that Critical failure is worse for each fatigue empowerment. At the moment before casting, the wizard can choose whether to do the normal type of casting or psionic oriented. Automatic misses do regular miss results.
Roll result less IQ
14 automatic miss if 12 IQ less.
15 automatic miss if 10 IQ less
16 automatic miss if 8 IQ less
17 Consult Magic Backlash in TFT article for 17 Miss*
18 Consult Magic Backlash in TFT article for 18 Miss*
* http://thefantasytrip.game/tags/space-gamer/

Perhaps, once the high level wizard has an epiphany that it is doing psionic and what psionic is, maybe has a type of Apotheosis (New ITL 85) without dying and converts to Superpowers?

Sure, this is way overpowering on high IQ wizards.
Its just something I thought would be interesting.

[TippetsTX]

Originally Posted by JohnPaulB

No gestures or vocals
In my way of thinking, TFT magic is really a pidgin form of Psionics. It is for those who need symbols and actions to make it work (probably because they haven't realized they can do psionics.) Gestures and Incantations are the formulas for those who haven’t yet gotten the knack of Psionics. Psionics in GURPS uses a whole different gaming mechanic; Perhaps Superpowers from Supers in TFT article would work.]
I’m not saying put Psionics in the ITL book, but it’s almost there now.

This mostly tracks w/ how imagined magic working in TFT. As a have mentioned elsewhere, Steven Brust's Jhereg books played a significant role in how I envisioned the world of Cidri which included how Dragaeran sorcery works. Spell casting didn't require a lot of external performance and you often wouldn't know what spell was actually cast until it hit you.