> > Did someone complain that shamans were
> > underpowered compared to Theists?
>
> I should expand this slightly. This doubling up of skill to cross
> the barrier has several major enhancing effects on Shamans.
>
> 1 - crossing to the otherside allows them to find a large variety of
> spirits and so increase their powers.
> 2 - crossing to the otherside is the first step in heroquesting,
> which gives shamans access to many non-spirit based powers.
> 3 - each increase of 2 in their barrier crossing ability reduces the
> amount they have to take from any ritual bonus so that they can get
> to the otherside. The increased residue can be spent on skill
> bonuses in the quest.
>
> regards,
> Charles
And remember, this is a STARTING character. I don't see too many
starting theists or sorcerers even contemplating crossing the barrier.
But then, the animist rules are in keeping with their past examples...
In RQ, being a shaman was always considered a fast route to immediate
power but not exactly a great way to become extremely powerful. Bring
a divine spell caster was more immediate power but took quite a bit of
work. Sorcery too LOTS of work to achieve any competence with but
once you got there... oh my...
Jeff