[Spells] Why is Command a blocking spell, and how does it work?

[finn]

Originally Posted by Anaraxes

Command is classified a Blocking spell because it can be used in reaction to stop an incoming attack.

It would have been better if the spell description in Spells actually mentioned that. Since it doesn't, it's actually the other way around. Because it's a Blocking spell, it's interpreted that you are allowed to use it the foil attacks.

That Krommquote is very helpful, and answers all my questions. Thank you.

I think I will rule that Command can be used to foil a melee attack with a right command, but will not foil a ranged attack. Commanding the archer to wait, drop, etc., should not affect the arrow that has been already been successfully released (a successful attack roll).

[dbm]

Originally Posted by finn

I think I will rule that Command can be used to foil a melee attack with a right command, but will not foil a ranged attack. Commanding the archer to wait, drop, etc., should not affect the arrow that has been already been successfully released (a successful attack roll).

Bear in mind that you can parry a bow shot with a melee weapon if you are within melee range.

If you see an archer nock and prepare to loose an arrow why not disrupt them if they are within range of hearing? You aren't disrupting the arrow, you're disrupting the shot. Your command doesn't stop the sword in melee, for that matter, it stops the person using it (and a sword has momentum, too, just like an arrow...)

Command costs twice as much as Iron Arm or Deflect Arrow. I would allow it to impact both.

[finn]

malloyd, thank you for your comments. I know the description in the previous version were vague. I was hoping the DFRPG version would be better.

Originally Posted by malloyd

Edit: And incidentally "Wait" as a command is not intended to be read as a command to take the "Wait" maneuver, but to pause for a moment.

Actually the description in the Spells book clearly says that the "subject takes the Wait maneuver next turn."

[dbm]

You're absolutely right - they are in the book. They're not very illuminating, however, unfortunately. If you tell the subject to look, what do they look at? Presumably whatever you point at, but that isn't spelled out. If they Wait (capital 'w'), what trigger action are they waiting for?

Just go with your gut whilst not hosing the players. Dungeon fantasy as a genre is more fuzzy than it is about harsh reality. The spell is reasonably priced compared to Deflect Missile or Iron Arm, so far from abusive.

[finn]

I checked my copy of Magic, and noticed that the description was exactly the same. I thought the examples were added for DFRPG, so I asked in this forum, but I was wrong.

Originally Posted by dbm

You're absolutely right - they are in the book. They're not very illuminating, however, unfortunately. If you tell the subject to look, what do they look at? Presumably whatever you point at, but that isn't spelled out. If they Wait (capital 'w'), what trigger action are they waiting for?

For "Look!", I guess they look at were you pointed, which might be relevant in some situations. I guess that I will rule that looking stops the incoming attack too.

For "Wait!", I guess the subject can choose whatever conditions on what he wants to wait for. "I must wait, for something. I guess I will wait for *** as its most advantages thing to wait for". Thinking up weird conditions for your Wait maneuver might actually be funny.

Originally Posted by dbm

Just go with your gut whilst not hosing the players. Dungeon fantasy as a genre is more fuzzy than it is about harsh reality. The spell is reasonably priced compared to Deflect Missile or Iron Arm, so far from abusive.

I think I will go with the attitude that it's a somewhat funny spell, and an occasion for humorous interpretation of the commands.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by finn

For "Look!", I guess they look at were you pointed, which might be relevant in some situations. I guess that I will rule that looking stops the incoming attack too.

Really looking in a specific way is a Concentrate manuever, so I think that having them take Concentrate to look rather than Attack or whatever is reasonable.

"Suicide!" or "Fratricide!" seem to me to be the most potentially unbalancing commands though.