Newbie having a hard time with RPM

Juca · 11-06-2012, 05:55 PM

Hi guys, I've always used the "common" Magic presented in Gurps Magic, but after reading about Ritual Path Magic, I can say that I was caught in the trend...
After reading it some times, I've decided to try to design some spells, and, apparently, I'm doing something wrong... Let's see:

Lightning Bolt (the caster launches a burning streak of electricity for 3d damage) - The "inner" workings are the following: Create Energy (6 points), 3d damage (0 points as it is a directed attack), Greater Effect (x3) for a total of 18 points, right? But what are the traits of the attack? Range, accuracy, rof... What if I want to add "overhead", that is rated as a 30% enhancement, how it adds to the energy cost?

Second, an invisibility spell (The subject is turned invisible for the duration, and cannot carry anything) - Transform Body (8 points), adds advantage (Invisibility (affects machines, only substantial) for 56 points) and, lets say, duration of 10 minutes for 1 energy point. It is a Greater Effect, so the total cost is (8+56+1) x 3, or... 195 energy points, right? How can someone makes it a lesser effect? Can be considered a lesser effect if it is cast where no one can see the target before the effect?

Third: I'm having a hard time determining what is a lesser effect and what is a greater effect with some kinds of casting, mainly body-related. Is bestowing DR 1 to a character a greater effect? And what about DR 4? Augmentating the ST of another by 10 points, with no visible effects, is a greater effect? It is all very confusing...

Sorry if it already was asked before.

11-06-2012, 05:55 PM	#1
Juca Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Neverland	Newbie having a hard time with RPM Hi guys, I've always used the "common" Magic presented in Gurps Magic, but after reading about Ritual Path Magic, I can say that I was caught in the trend... After reading it some times, I've decided to try to design some spells, and, apparently, I'm doing something wrong... Let's see: Lightning Bolt (the caster launches a burning streak of electricity for 3d damage) - The "inner" workings are the following: Create Energy (6 points), 3d damage (0 points as it is a directed attack), Greater Effect (x3) for a total of 18 points, right? But what are the traits of the attack? Range, accuracy, rof... What if I want to add "overhead", that is rated as a 30% enhancement, how it adds to the energy cost? Second, an invisibility spell (The subject is turned invisible for the duration, and cannot carry anything) - Transform Body (8 points), adds advantage (Invisibility (affects machines, only substantial) for 56 points) and, lets say, duration of 10 minutes for 1 energy point. It is a Greater Effect, so the total cost is (8+56+1) x 3, or... 195 energy points, right? How can someone makes it a lesser effect? Can be considered a lesser effect if it is cast where no one can see the target before the effect? Third: I'm having a hard time determining what is a lesser effect and what is a greater effect with some kinds of casting, mainly body-related. Is bestowing DR 1 to a character a greater effect? And what about DR 4? Augmentating the ST of another by 10 points, with no visible effects, is a greater effect? It is all very confusing... Sorry if it already was asked before.