Sorcery, Building Powers, and Rolls

philosophyguy · 10-14-2015, 10:25 AM

I just purchased Thaumatology: Sorcery and am loving the work that was done in this volume.

I've always struggled with building powers and I'm confused how some of the powers were built in this book.

1. When does a roll lower the cost of a power? On page 12, the book states that most spells don't require a casting roll. Some spells may require a skill to use the spell, like Innate Attack for an offensive power.

But, of the spells that require a casting roll, only Haircut includes a negative modifier (Requires DX vs. HT roll, -10%). Every other spell that requires a casting roll does not include a Requires Attribute Roll modifier. It's not a matter of whether the spell is resisted; both Haircut and e.g. Animal Control are resistable but only Haircut includes the modifier.

2. What requires an Innate Attack roll? No Smell and Flesh to Stone are both afflictions. No Smell requires an Innate Attack roll but no casting roll. Flesh to Stone requires a Will casting roll but no Innate Attack roll. I can't find a pattern among the affliction-based spells for why they should be one instead of the other.

Any help on understanding how these powers were built so I can be better at creating powers in my own games would be much appreciated.

10-14-2015, 10:25 AM	#1
philosophyguy Join Date: Feb 2014	Sorcery, Building Powers, and Rolls I just purchased Thaumatology: Sorcery and am loving the work that was done in this volume. I've always struggled with building powers and I'm confused how some of the powers were built in this book. 1. When does a roll lower the cost of a power? On page 12, the book states that most spells don't require a casting roll. Some spells may require a skill to use the spell, like Innate Attack for an offensive power. But, of the spells that require a casting roll, only Haircut includes a negative modifier (Requires DX vs. HT roll, -10%). Every other spell that requires a casting roll does not include a Requires Attribute Roll modifier. It's not a matter of whether the spell is resisted; both Haircut and e.g. Animal Control are resistable but only Haircut includes the modifier. 2. What requires an Innate Attack roll? No Smell and Flesh to Stone are both afflictions. No Smell requires an Innate Attack roll but no casting roll. Flesh to Stone requires a Will casting roll but no Innate Attack roll. I can't find a pattern among the affliction-based spells for why they should be one instead of the other. Any help on understanding how these powers were built so I can be better at creating powers in my own games would be much appreciated.