Newbie having a hard time with RPM

[vierasmarius]

Originally Posted by Fez

So, question...

If I want a spell that causes lightning to shoot out of my fingers to cause 3d damage, it's a Greater Create Energy for 6x3 = 18 minimum energy; but if I want to cause my subject's spleen to explode for 3d damage, it's a Lesser Destroy Body - lesser because it's subtle and believable?

Dealing damage with a lightning bolt is an "external" damage source, meaning it delivers triple the base damage (3d for +0 energy). An "internal" attack like a rupturing spleen or appendix should be handled as a Malediction, and thus deals just base damage (1d for +0 energy). I would never allow a blatant, external attack as a Lesser Effect, but I might allow it for an internal one, so long as the degree of damage isn't too extreme.

[Flyndaran]

Massive aneurysms can drop people instantly and are in the same league as good old elf strokes for mystical purposes.

[Polydamas]

How big are energy points in this system? Are they comparable to Energy Accumulating Path/Book Magic energy points or GURPS Magic magic energy points? I don't have Monster Hunters.

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

Massive aneurysms can drop people instantly and are in the same league as good old elf strokes for mystical purposes.

I wouldn't call that damage. I'd make that as a Heart Attack affliction instead. Vascular blockages do pretty much the same thing just in different ways.

Also, wasn't elf strokes caused by elf-shot?

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by Polydamas

How big are energy points in this system? Are they comparable to Energy Accumulating Path/Book Magic energy points or GURPS Magic magic energy points? I don't have Monster Hunters.

It basically uses Energy Accumulation.

[PK]

Originally Posted by Juballa

I initially thought in terms of Altered Traits for nearly any effect (probably because of "magic as powers"), but it's clear that isn't the author's intent. So, reversing that way of thinking, when should Altered Traits be required?

As a general rule, use Altered Traits when the subject is going to be granted an advantage which is completely under his control -- he can turn it on and off for the duration, decide how it's used, etc. -- or which acts as a "buff," augmenting his natural abilities without changing him in any fundamental way.

So a spell that let you mentally communicate with the subject (two-way) would just need the spell effect (plus Duration and Range). But a spell that granted the subject the ability to mentally communicate with anyone at will would also need Altered Traits, Mind Reading and Telesend. Because it's gone from "the spell makes this happen" to "the spell gives you the ability to make this happen."

Another example: You can use Greater Control Body to pick someone up telekinetically and move him around. Or you could add Altered Traits, Flight, to give him the ability to lift himself and fly for the duration. (If you are the subject, these are similar results, but the former means you have to concentrate to "move yourself," while the latter just lets you fly at will.)

On a related note: One of the things the RPM book will make clear is that there's never a need to use Altered Traits, Alternate Form when you use a Transform effect to change someone's body, because that's what the Transform Body effect does. That said, if the GM feels that the new form is overpowered, he can insist that the spell pay for the difference in template cost.

[Juballa]

Originally Posted by PK

As a general rule, use Altered Traits when the subject is going to be granted an advantage which is completely under his control -- he can turn it on and off for the duration, decide how it's used, etc. -- or which acts as a "buff," augmenting his natural abilities without changing him in any fundamental way.

Thanks for the answer - that was quite helpful.

How does this work with spells that duplicate abilities that are not really under anyone's control once the spell is cast (regardless of the actual duration)?

Take that old favorite, Invisibility. If we're duplicating the unaltered advantage (meaning unswitchable), then no one really controls it once the casting is complete. Does this make it a buff, meaning that you need Altered Traits?

And if a caster uses Altered Traits to give an advantage to someone, does that mean the caster cannot end the spell prematurely (in contradiction with the line in MH1:37), because the advantage is under the target's control?

[PK]

Originally Posted by Juballa

Take that old favorite, Invisibility. If we're duplicating the unaltered advantage (meaning unswitchable), then no one really controls it once the casting is complete. Does this make it a buff, meaning that you need Altered Traits?

I'd say yes. It's also important to ask, "Does it make sense that the spell effect alone would be enough to accomplish this?" In my opinion, there isn't any spell effect that seems to encompass that result without a little extra "oomph" from Altered Traits.

And if a caster uses Altered Traits to give an advantage to someone, does that mean the caster cannot end the spell prematurely (in contradiction with the line in MH1:37), because the advantage is under the target's control?

No. The subject has complete control over the advantage for as long as the spell lasts. The duration of the spell is 100% up to the caster.

[Onkl]

To give a living subject of a spell +1 to DX, can I use:

Strengthen Body 3
Bestow Bonus to broad range of rolls (+1 DX) +5
Weight 300 lbs. +3
Duration 10 minutes +3
1 Greater Effect (x3)

(3+5+3+3)*3=42 Energy

or do I have to use

Strengthen Body 3
Altered Traits (+1 DX) +20
Weight 300 lbs. +3
Duration 10 minutes +3
1 Greater Effect (x3)

(3+20+3+3)*3=87 Energy

Or if both are viable, what is the difference?

Thanks

Onkl

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by Onkl

To give a living subject of a spell +1 to DX, can I use:

Strengthen Body 3
Bestow Bonus to broad range of rolls (+1 DX) +5
Weight 300 lbs. +3
Duration 10 minutes +3
1 Greater Effect (x3)

(3+5+3+3)*3=42 Energy

I don't think that's legit...perhaps if it were something like +1 to DX-based combat skills or something like that.

Originally Posted by Onkl

Strengthen Body 3
Altered Traits (+1 DX) +20
Weight 300 lbs. +3
Duration 10 minutes +3
1 Greater Effect (x3)

(3+20+3+3)*3=87 Energy

Yeah. This is what I'd use.

Ghostdancer

Edit: that should be a lesser effect not a Greater one.