Who controls the MA for Flight Spell?

[Shostak]

Originally Posted by JohnPaulB

Unless the subject knows he has a flight spell on him, is he going to know he can fly?

He might go through the duration of the spell, not knowing he could.

The caster had better tell the subject that he can fly.

That could be said of many spells. Will the subject know that they now have Acid Touch, Hammertouch, or that they can Breathe Fire? Will they know that they now enjoy magical protection like Reverse Missiles, Fireproofing, Shock Shield, or Stone Flesh? Will they know that their DX has been boosted by Aid such that they might seriously consider an aimed shot or sweeping blow? Will they know that they have Speed Movement unless they try to move faster? Or will they notice that they are the subject of Unnoticeability, Invisibility?

Knowledge of any of those is almost certain to affect what actions players choose for their characters. If one requires a wizard to notify someone that they can fly before allowing that character to utilize the spell, similar notification might be required for other spells.

[Anaraxes]

Originally Posted by JohnPaulB

Unless the subject knows he has a flight spell on him, is he going to know he can fly?

Originally Posted by Shostak

That could be said of many spells.

And if you consider that the wizard does need to inform the spell subject, is your group going to insist that the player of the wizard specifically say something to provide that notification? If so, when? Is there a chance that what we'll have here is a failure to communicate? Does it make the game more interesting if there's a notification failure?

"Talk" isn't one of the TFT Options, so mechanically the notification doesn't even make it up to the doesn't-actually-cost-anything "free action" that's usual in RPGs. Yelling "Rognak, you can fly!" is beneath TFT's level of notice.

So, what would it mean to require some explicit notification, rather than just assume that such takes place as the wizard successfully finishes casting the spell? I assume you don't expect players to chant "Quas An Wis" or "In Vas Grav Corp" whenever they cast a spell, or else the spell doesn't actually happen.

[Shostak]

Notifications could easily influence the opposing side, too. If you tell someone they are safe from missiles, those who aim missiles may well just choose a different target.

[Axly Suregrip]

I keep it simple. The subject of a flight spell feels they can fly and just know. This works in a world where there is magic and a flight spell is not an unusual thing. Even if it is an animal.

If wizards in your world are rare, then the wizard should communicate it. Either ahead of time or during casting. How audible this may be to the foes is up to the GM. If not discussed ahead of time, how unbelievable this is in such a world is a whole other angle that may be an obstacle.

Lots of room for having it either way. GMs can make this fun.

[JohnPaulB]

Originally Posted by Anaraxes

"Talk" isn't one of the TFT Options, so mechanically the notification doesn't even make it up to the doesn't-actually-cost-anything "free action" that's usual in RPGs. Yelling "Rognak, you can fly!" is beneath TFT's level of notice.

I've pondered for years about options other than the ones that are lettered out in the OPTIONS list (ITL p 102). Where is reading or picking the lock or any of the other non-combat things to be done. I have come to the conclusion that they can be included in any of the lettered options on the list, except perhaps Cast Spell and Disbelieve.

• Errol Flynn (k) repartee as he deflects a sword thrust.
• Jack (a) standing next to the keyhole picking the lock while the rest of the gang fight back the guards.
• Sally (h) swaying 1 hex while she sings and spins (using that letter option to do an audio thing and not casting a spell!)
• Sally (b) dancing her way across the ballroom.
• Wilma (i) listens to Dick pontificate as she Detects Lies. [a variation of Disbelieve]
• Tom (g) stands and whispers to Bruce that he's going to cast FLY on him in the next couple of seconds.
• Mary & Jason (t) performing night activities in bed, perhaps with hand-weapon.

[Anaraxes]

Originally Posted by Shostak

Notifications could easily influence the opposing side, too.

A good point. Such knowledge can affect the battle, so it may be worth houseruleing who knows.

That will drag in questions about languages, or whether the other side's archer knows who "Rognak" is so as to avoid making him their target. Enterprising players will no doubt invent codes if they have to shout in "common". "Rognak Kelebor. Repeat, Rognak Kelebor." Of course, for groups that don't care to actually invent, memorize, and require use of the code at the table, we just get back to "friendlies know, enemies don't, and it takes no extra time".

Originally Posted by JohnPaulB

I have come to the conclusion that {non-combat options} can be included in any of the lettered options on the list, except perhaps Cast Spell and Disbelieve.

Seems likely. Even most of the games that do explicitly add an action to their list of combat stuff tend to stuff everything possible into a single generic "Perform Action" (by whatever name). Or the systems that have multiple categories; "move actions", "attack actions", "free actions" (not always so free that you can do more than one per turn), "fast actions", "slow actions", "bonus actions", "reactions", "long actions", "double actions"... it doesn't take long to get to a list as long as TFTs, only with more generic category names. So there should be plenty of space in the TFT list to houserule a list that says "A, B, and C count as an attack; D counts as a Move; E, F, and G cost your defense", and whatever other equivalence may seem suitable.

Would you make the act of shouting some sort of warning or notification an option that conflicts with any of the TFT actions or MA, and if so, which one? Or is talking a "free option" that you can do in parallel with the any of the RAW list?