Re: Question on affinities (subject title changed)

From: simon_hibbs2 <simon.hibbs_at_...>
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2003 09:25:57 -0000

> I still have problems with some of the affinities used as actual
> actions, like Decapitate Foe. For the time being I allow them to
use
> the affinity as a physical attack, augmented by their combat skill,
> and if they drive their opponent to -31 in the one attack then the
> head flies off and blood gushes everywhere. Not the easiest of
> tasks, and not really of any value unless you specifically need to
> Decapitate someone, like a vampire, which to me seems the way it
> should be.

If you are using Decapitate Foe as an actual action, remember that t is a magical attack. The weapon you are suing is merely a 'material component' for the magic, to borrow a D&Dism. This means you can do it at range (hurling your weapon at your foe's neck with supernatural accuracy), do it to multiple opponents (boomerang style?), etc using the normal magic rules. Very usefull for taking out mooks in a spectacular way.

Of cousre using it against serious opposition is going to be harder, but that's probably true whatever attack you use.

> Sword and shield breaker are other affinities that are hard to come
> to grips with and for now I assign AP values to swords and shields
> (7xvalue)and let them go for it, if they drive the sword to 0 it
> breaks.

Likewise, the ability to use the magic rules instead of whatever 'reality rules' normaly apply to Close Combat attacks, could be very useful here. You can also enchant these powers in stuff, create triggerable delayed castings of the power, etc. For the players in my game, getting to grips with the magic rules was a revelation.

Simon Hibbs