Re: Re: Specialists; sorcery

From: David Cake <dave_at_...>
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001 14:34:44 +0800

>At 12:45 25/06/01 +0800, you wrote:
>
>> >But I am _not_ compensating for the increased cost, I am
>> >compensating for _no improvisation_! Your two issues are
>> >hence irrelevant.
>
>>I don't think essentially unrelated issues compensate in this
>>way, as is probably clear by now.
>
>No, it's still not clear why you should criticize my proposal
>for not doing something I never intended it to do.

        Its a public list with multiple points of view. Differing perceptions of the issue are to be expected, and are the reason why you discuss things in a public forum like this anyway.

>I do not see the suggestion as
>mandating rolling for enhancements before "every single"
>spell cast anymore than a theist is required to invoke
>his swordhelp feat for an augment every time he has to
>swing his sword.

        The only reason not to use a magic augment (apart from their inherent unreliability, which you have some control over by reducing the level of augmentation, making augmentation even less efficient) is that normally you would require an action. Sorcerers, particularly if we are to go with your preferred conception of sorcery (relatively low ability levels, broad selection of Grimoires, reliance on range and duration), are less likely to worrying about spell effectiveness in an unexpected contest with opponents (which is where the action matters), so are more likely to use augments.

        So there is very little reason not to use an augment, so you expect that characters will use them frequently.

        Swordhelp, on the other hand, often occurs in combats that occur with relatively little warning. So often, the action required becomes a big issue.

> > Wanting to augment because you want to perform some action
>>best described as an augment (say, blessing the knights sword) is a
>>good idea.
>
>And what is wrong with incanting the basic principles of the
>grimoire to deepen one's knowledge of the spells therein?

	Its dull to play. Thats about it, really.
	Not a particularly strong objection - to my mind the issues 

around the effective rate of increase of Grimoires are far more important. To yours, probably not.

	Cheers
		David