tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482451413021840738.post6099732492974792987..comments2024-03-29T20:01:34.283+11:00Comments on Observations of the Fox: Vector Theory #23: A comparison of some magic systems.Vulpinoidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04511600075328621953noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482451413021840738.post-76820438644881706042010-06-09T20:10:25.433+10:002010-06-09T20:10:25.433+10:00Interesting write up.I'm currently looking at ...Interesting write up.I'm currently looking at magic systems for my Aega Mythea (Atlantis/C&C mashup) and this has been helpful.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />~Adaen of BridgewaterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482451413021840738.post-34724638744471419912010-06-03T15:46:48.156+10:002010-06-03T15:46:48.156+10:00I was actually thinking of adding a RIFTs analysis...I was actually thinking of adding a RIFTs analysis to the forms of magic, since I have a shelf of my bookcase dedicated to rifts books (each book belonging to a first print run). <br /><br />But RIFTs is really a bastard child of the Palladium Fantasy Roleplaying Game, which is in turn a bastard child of AD&D. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve have plenty of great adventures using RIFTs, but its a seriously messed up system with some big holes and some other issues.<br /><br />The Magic of RIFTs really isn’t versatile, it’s even less versatile than something like D&D 3rd Edition.<br /><br />Most of the spells are specifically learnt effects (whether you gain these effects as a side benefit of an OCC, or if they are learnt from a spell list). You can’t combine spells for interesting effects, and when you use a spell in a manner not specified in the book, it can seriously put the breaks on a game.<br /><br />Case in point…”Magic Net” creates an “indestructible” net that can’t be cut through by regular weapons, and any MDC weapons take 2 strikes to break through it regardless of the damage they inflict. A level 1 Linewalker casts the net in the air as a flying suit of SAMAS armour hurtles towards him. The Linewalker’s player claims that the net should get entangled in the jet turbines of the SAMAS, and since t is indestructible it should rip the turbines to shreds from within. But the book says nothing about the damage capabilities of a magic net. <br /><br />The manifestation of the effect is the same, but the game degenerates into arguments of realism versus story, player versus GM.<br /><br />The spell has a very specific defined purpose when reading the book verbatim…anything beyond that is up to your own interpretation, and the book washes its hands of your decision.<br /><br />RIFTs magic is clearly Rigid (A) and in most cases Predictable (1). There are only a small percentage of cases where a magician rolls on a table to produce a random result. (At first glance, there is the glaring exception of the Technowizard who can combine spells in the crafting of mystical items, but even Technowizards have specific combinations that must be employed to generate specific artefacts).<br /><br />In general RIFTs magic has a fixed expenditure through PPE. Some magicians have different ways to gain PPE, and a GM can twist the likelihood of gaining extra PPE by setting their encounter near a Ley Line, a Nexus, or a Rift. But there isn’t really a lot of variation at work here. So I’d make the claim, Fixed to Variable expenditure (leaning more heavily toward fixed).<br /><br />So my call for RIFTs magic is (A/1/b-c).<br /><br />As for Sorcerer…hmmm, let me think for a bit.Vulpinoidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04511600075328621953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482451413021840738.post-28080588781414314782010-06-03T13:58:48.683+10:002010-06-03T13:58:48.683+10:00I don't like the way this models Sorcerer.
A ...I don't like the way this models Sorcerer.<br /><br />A / 1 & 4 / d<br /><br />Because you know, it's perfectly predictable, <i>to the demon</i>. But the demon isn't predictable at all.<br /><br />Perhaps we should consider adding another axis.<br /><br /><b>Access</b><br />w - PCs can do supernatural things themselves (PCs can be wizards)<br />x - Inanimate objects can do supernatural things (PCs can be alchemists, enchanters, or pulp inventors, Space 1889)<br />y - An NPC ally can do supernatural things (Sorcerer, Baron Münchhausen style fantasy)<br />z - NPC villains can do supernatural things (Conan style sword and sorcery)<br /><br />There, now to apply this to a real game, Rifts would be:<br /><br />A-D / 1-4 / a-d / w-z<br /><br />(little joke)Sheikh Jahbootyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08353865881591884445noreply@blogger.com