Sorcery: replacing fatigue cost with something else?

[Leynok]

Originally Posted by weso12

Actually I just realized the problem with this is that unless you spend on average more than 300 points on Sorcery Spells, you are paying more then if you had no limitation at all.

This is why I tend to give players 10 levels of any Energy Reserve when they purchase the first level, if it isn't a campaign feature that everyone has at 10 to begin with. Limiting your character should never cost points.

[PK]

Why not just use Alternative Rituals (p. 7), which offer ways to completely negate the need to spend FP?

If that doesn't work, here's an excerpt from [REDACTED] that offers advice for removing Costs Fatigue from the Sorcery PM:

. . . you have two options. The first is to find another ‑5% limitation that fits the mold; consider Nuisance Effect, where ‑5% can represent things like “Concentration causes throbbing veins and profuse sweat, for ‑1 to reactions,” “Must mutter a few words, so cannot use if gagged,” or “Requires simple movement, so cannot use if restrained.” The second is to recalculate the cost of each ability with a ‑10% PM instead of a ‑15% one; this avoids the issue of FP cost altogether, but obviously requires much more work. However, neither approach takes into account sorcery spells where Reduced Fatigue Cost was used to get an inherently fatiguing advantage’s FP cost down to 1 FP; in those cases, you’ll need to add another level of Reduced Fatigue Cost for a net +20%.

[Lord Azagthoth]

I once played a singe scenario in which sorcey was evil. Each time you cast a spell, you gained a 1cp disadvantage. This could be anything from decreasing Appreance, Temperature intolerance, Mental diseases and modified (to be able to get the 1pt versions).

Was nice to see how some sorcerers who end up at the end of the scenario.

[munin]

I would just replace the implied "Costs Fatigue, -5%" with a -5 point Required Disadvantage like Code of Honor, Honesty, Sense of Duty, Disciplines of Faith, or Vow (p. P21-23). Thus your sorcery is subject to the usual limitations of magic (no/low mana zones, anti-magic) and you have to stay in your god's good graces as well.

[Anders]

How about using Threshold magic?

[Boomerang]

Originally Posted by Lord Azagthoth

I once played a singe scenario in which sorcey was evil. Each time you cast a spell, you gained a 1cp disadvantage. This could be anything from decreasing Appreance, Temperature intolerance, Mental diseases and modified (to be able to get the 1pt versions).

Was nice to see how some sorcerers who end up at the end of the scenario.

Neat idea!

[weso12]

Originally Posted by PK

Why not just use Alternative Rituals (p. 7), which offer ways to completely negate the need to spend FP?

If that doesn't work, here's an excerpt from [REDACTED] that offers advice for removing Costs Fatigue from the Sorcery PM:

. . . you have two options. The first is to find another ‑5% limitation that fits the mold; consider Nuisance Effect, where ‑5% can represent things like “Concentration causes throbbing veins and profuse sweat, for ‑1 to reactions,” “Must mutter a few words, so cannot use if gagged,” or “Requires simple movement, so cannot use if restrained.” The second is to recalculate the cost of each ability with a ‑10% PM instead of a ‑15% one; this avoids the issue of FP cost altogether, but obviously requires much more work. However, neither approach takes into account sorcery spells where Reduced Fatigue Cost was used to get an inherently fatiguing advantage’s FP cost down to 1 FP; in those cases, you’ll need to add another level of Reduced Fatigue Cost for a net +20%.

I think the last might be the best solution As in just removing the -5% cost fatigue limitation I just always assumed that it would be bad idea to remove that for balance reasons but I guess if the co-line editor says it's okay then it's fine.

[PK]

Originally Posted by weso12

I think the last might be the best solution As in just removing the -5% cost fatigue limitation I just always assumed that it would be bad idea to remove that for balance reasons but I guess if the co-line editor says it's okay then it's fine.

Well, it's not so much "balance reasons" as that it will make sorcery feel less like magic and more like a super-power. Basically, without that 1 FP cost, there's zero "resource management" involved in sorcery; a sorcerer can cast spells nonstop, all day long, without wearing out. That's why I think just using Alternative Rituals is the best move; because that way they have other drawbacks that keep it all feeling more "sorcerous."

[ArchonShiva]

Using Alternative Rituals and Energy Reserve Only probably works, points-wise. Basically, no Sorcerer needs an ER, but it's good in emergencies.

[weso12]

Originally Posted by PK

Well, it's not so much "balance reasons" as that it will make sorcery feel less like magic and more like a super-power. Basically, without that 1 FP cost, there's zero "resource management" involved in sorcery; a sorcerer can cast spells nonstop, all day long, without wearing out. That's why I think just using Alternative Rituals is the best move; because that way they have other drawbacks that keep it all feeling more "sorcerous."

Yeah I think requiring the alternative rituals would be best now you bring it up.

P.S. Suprised you never brought up my issue with Energy Reverse costing more than not having any limitation at all.