How to protect casters?

[Kromm]

Originally Posted by mlangsdorf

You're spending Fatigue to do that, and you can't case Iron Arm or any other Blocking spell while holding a Missile or Melee spell. So it's not a perfect defense in all instances.

The things that always put Iron Arm out of the running in my games are (1) the one Blocking spell-per-turn limit (if you're being flanked, you're usually outnumbered, and if you're outnumbered, you're usually facing many attacks per turn), and (2) all the stuff Iron Arm is worthless against, particularly the missiles that tend to get rained down on wizards who are floating or hanging back. Well, those things and areas without mana.

[jeff_wilson]

Originally Posted by mlangsdorf

You're spending Fatigue to do that, and you can't cast Iron Arm or any other Blocking spell while holding a Missile or Melee spell. So it's not a perfect defense in all instances.

That doesn't agree with the MAGIC book ("Blocking Spells", pp.12-13).

[mlangsdorf]

Originally Posted by jeff_wilson

That doesn't agree with the MAGIC book ("Blocking Spells", pp.12-13).

Ah? I missed that, thanks!

So you can still hold Missile or Melee spells, but you can only cast 1 Blocking spell per turn, and it always takes Fatigue. They're better than I thought, but not perfect.

[TheQuestionMan]

All Out Defend, Sacrificial Block or Parry, and Dodge & Retreat for the Wizard.


Cheers


QM

[rosignol]

Originally Posted by Feathers

Lets say I'm playing a warrior. My friend is a squishy magic user. We are attacked by two Orcs. One of the Orcs rushes into combat with me. The other one goes around and attacks my friend. Except for using a ready Reach weapon I don't see how I can stop anyone from getting by me. Is there some mechanic like Threating or Opportunity Attacks that I am missing?

Nope. Your friend needs to realize he's not playing D&D any more, and have the squishy buy some armor. Might also be good for him to learn 'Create Warrior', it's in the Illusion/Creation college. Other options include looking into the Body Control college- Spasm is a great way to cause people to drop things (like weapons), Tanglefoot can trip them up (and give you a couple moves of head start), and Fumble is a blocking spell that amounts to 'do not hit target, do not infict damage, go directly to the critical miss table'. It's one of my favorites. =)

[DouglasCole]

Originally Posted by rosignol

Nope. Your friend needs to realize he's not playing D&D any more, and have the squishy buy some armor. Might also be good for him to learn 'Create Warrior', it's in the Illusion/Creation college. Other options include looking into the Body Control college- Spasm is a great way to cause people to drop things (like weapons), Tanglefoot can trip them up (and give you a couple moves of head start), and Fumble is a blocking spell that amounts to 'do not hit target, do not infict damage, go directly to the critical miss table'. It's one of my favorites. =)

Tickle. If it works, it induces a SERIOUS incapacitating tickle-fest lasting 60 seconds.

[Kaldrin]

Originally Posted by Feathers

Lets say I'm playing a warrior. My friend is a squishy magic user. We are attacked by two Orcs. One of the Orcs rushes into combat with me. The other one goes around and attacks my friend. Except for using a ready Reach weapon I don't see how I can stop anyone from getting by me. Is there some mechanic like Threating or Opportunity Attacks that I am missing?

You'd better scrap the campaign and have the guys remake their PCs for the reboot. :)

Every wizard/mage/spellcaster/whatever I've played has been able to handle himself pretty well in melee combat thanks to a passable staff skill. At the very least he can parry once decently before he casts a spell on the guy who's attacking him. Usually a single (I'm assuming not high points) target is pretty easy work for a mage. At least most mages tend to spend a few points on direct attacks and the means to get them to the bad guy (or good guy if your campaign is played that way).