RPM question

[nudj]

I've been thinking of using RPM in a fantasy game. Looking at GURPS Thaumotology RPM, i see that Fireball is a greater create energy effect and costs 6 points per +1d. I also see that lesser destroy body causes damage at 2 points per +1d if the tech in the setting allows that level of damage from a hand held or ranged weapon.

That's a big difference in cost. Can I apply the setting rule to a fireball? Even in a TL 3 game, 12 fatigue for a 2d fireball seems ridiculous.

Thanks

nudj

[Refplace]

Certainly!
What is a Greater or Lesser effect is very much a GM decision, largely based on the setting and how the GM wants magic to work.

In a high fantasy setting I might run RPM with almost nothing requiring a Greater Effect.
Or I might break it down by specialty or something. Say use RPM for both clerical and wizard magic. Then give Clerics healing as lesser but wizards as Greater - or just ban them from it.

[sir_pudding]

Energy isn't FP, and 12 isn't a lot to gather when preparing spells as conditionals or charms.

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by nudj

I've been thinking of using RPM in a fantasy game. Looking at GURPS Thaumotology RPM, i see that Fireball is a greater create energy effect and costs 6 points per +1d. I also see that lesser destroy body causes damage at 2 points per +1d if the tech in the setting allows that level of damage from a hand held or ranged weapon.

That's a big difference in cost. Can I apply the setting rule to a fireball? Even in a TL 3 game, 12 fatigue for a 2d fireball seems ridiculous.

Thanks

nudj

FP does not equal energy (as has been noted). That greater effect can exceed the limits of the lesser. That's pretty much it.

[nudj]

Originally Posted by Christopher R. Rice

FP does not equal energy (as has been noted). That greater effect can exceed the limits of the lesser. That's pretty much it.

I misspoke when is said fatigue. If you are in a battle, 12 energy is hard to gather quickly. When you say “the greater can exceed the limits of the lesser”, what do you mean in the fireball context? Do you mean the GM decides, or do you mean some specific thing that is exceeded with fireball and Greater create energy, that is not exceeded with lesser destroy body.

Please forgive my lack of understanding of something that is probably obvious

[nudj]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

Energy isn't FP, and 12 isn't a lot to gather when preparing spells as conditionals or charms.

So is that a default assumption in RPM? That you are not doing things spontaneously in battle?

[naloth]

Originally Posted by nudj

So is that a default assumption in RPM? That you are not doing things spontaneously in battle?

My very limited experience with RPM is that casters have good utility and excellent buffing abilities but aren't that great as warriors. Charms give you a limited set of tricks, but you want to save those for when you really need it.

If that suits your tastes, it works well for that. If you want spontaneous magic I'd suggest using using Sorcery instead.

[Refplace]

Originally Posted by nudj

I misspoke when is said fatigue. If you are in a battle, 12 energy is hard to gather quickly. When you say “the greater can exceed the limits of the lesser”, what do you mean in the fireball context? Do you mean the GM decides, or do you mean some specific thing that is exceeded with fireball and Greater create energy, that is not exceeded with lesser destroy body.

Please forgive my lack of understanding of something that is probably obvious

I think he pretty much means what I said. The GM choose what qualifies as Lesser or Greater Effects. The more things that are Lesser Effect the more effective a caster is.

Originally Posted by nudj

So is that a default assumption in RPM? That you are not doing things spontaneously in battle?

Even with Ritual Adept it can be a problem coming up with enough energy fast enough. So you want to have charms premade so you can quickly get your spells off. You are limited in how many you can have but don't need them for most noncombat effects. Charms are essential to effective magical combat.

[nudj]

Originally Posted by Refplace

I think he pretty much means what I said. The GM choose what qualifies as Lesser or Greater Effects. The more things that are Lesser Effect the more effective a caster is.




Even with Ritual Adept it can be a problem coming up with enough energy fast enough. So you want to have charms premade so you can quickly get your spells off. You are limited in how many you can have but don't need them for most noncombat effects. Charms are essential to effective magical combat.

I see. That helps, thanks!

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by nudj

I misspoke when is said fatigue. If you are in a battle, 12 energy is hard to gather quickly. When you say “the greater can exceed the limits of the lesser”, what do you mean in the fireball context? Do you mean the GM decides, or do you mean some specific thing that is exceeded with fireball and Greater create energy, that is not exceeded with lesser destroy body.

Please forgive my lack of understanding of something that is probably obvious

RPM is basically "the player proposes and the GM disposes." The GM should have their hands in everything a player does until that player proves that they know what sort of things the GM wants to allow or not and how it interacts with the setting.

So the fireball example: Yes. You could use Path of Energy to call up a fireball and throw it and do as much damage as the GM allows and spend the required time to gather the energy for it. You could also use that time to use Path of Body for a lesser effect multiple times. The values of damage just depends on what you need it for and how fast you need it.