[RPM] Altered Traits

[rsqrdroberts]

Originally Posted by Ghostdancer

If I were to write a theoretical "GURPS Thaumatology: Ritual Path Magic Companion" this is one of the things I would cover in some detail. But even with such detail there would still be things I couldn't go into or cover and the GM would be in the same position.

Yes. Please write "GURPS Thaumatology: Ritual Path Magic Companion."

I created a new thread that should have been a reply to this thread, so I am going to be doing more damage by re-asking it here. Apologies in advance.

Take Silence (RPM p. 49) vs. Ghost Shirt (RPM p. 43).

Silence is a spell that just has Greater Destroy Energy and Area of Effect, with no Altered Traits for 48 energy (15x3). Ghost Shirt has Greater Control Energy and an Altered Traits based on Damage Resistance for 135 energy (45x3). How do these fit in with Ghostdancer's guidelines?

My question comes from considering a spell that would de-cohere Laser to just a bright, mostly harmless, light source. Should it be a simple Greater Destroy Energy, a simple Greater Transform Energy, or should I start adding Damage Reduction with Limited, Force Shield, Hardened, and other "expenses?" My gut tells me use the straight up Destroy or Transform Energy, but then I look over at Ghost Shirt...

[PK]

Originally Posted by rsqrdroberts

I created a new thread that should have been a reply to this thread, so I am going to be doing more damage by re-asking it here. Apologies in advance.

It's okay -- I deleted that thread to avoid confusion.

And my answer as author is the same as it was on the first page of this thread, though I'll try to expand it a bit:

If you find yourself needing to reference specific, named GURPS traits to describe the game mechanics of your spell, then it needs Altered Traits. If you find that you can describe those game mechanics using nothing more than general terms and references to spell effects, then it doesn't . . . unless the GM thinks that it needs them for game balance.

That's a fuzzy answer, but RPM is an (intentionally) fuzzy system. Every ritual is a cooperative negotiation between the player and GM, so I hope this answer gives you some guidance in that regard.