WOIN O.L.D. Battle mage questions

Woundweaver · May 2, 2019

A couple questions about the battle mage artillery exploit
1. I assume it uses MAG like most other caster types do?
2. Is the “You can call down fire or lightning (your choice) from the heavens “ meant to suggest it can only be used outdoors? Or is it just flavour text?

Morrus · May 2, 2019

Is that from the playtest document?

Yep, uses MAG. Just flavour text.

Len · May 2, 2019

The Artillery exploit seems quite powerful - it looks like a starting character can do 3d6 in a 30' area every round? That's a lot. If you were casting that as a spell by Chapter V, it would cost 13 MP and a starting character wouldn't even be able to cast it.

(I'm looking at 1.2 draft 06.)

easl · May 2, 2019

Len said:
The Artillery exploit seems quite powerful

Well, the career prereq includes MAG 6 and tactics, which means only Humans and Grand Elves can start with it, and the Human would have to take 4 magical careers before taking Battle Mage as their 5th. (Maybe Sylvan Elves too: they can get the MAG prereq by taking 4 magical careers first, but I'm not sure how they do that AND get the tactics skill). So it takes a pretty dedicated build to get there. You're likely going to be a glass cannon, at least when play begins.

You're right that there's not a lot of comparable exploits in terms of mass damage. But the Ice Mage, Pirate and Witch all have area attack exploits.

I'd be interested to hear from people who have one in a game as to whether it's over powered or not. I suspect it's not as big an issue in play as it appears on paper.

Morrus · May 2, 2019

It’s definitely the best mass damage exploit in the game, and the battle mage is the mass damage specialist. It’s worked well in playtests. Also, it’s not enemies only, so it’s not as useful as it might appear.

Len · May 2, 2019

Morrus said:
It’s worked well in playtests.

In that case, I don't mind giving it a try.

Len · May 2, 2019

easl said:
Well, the career prereq includes MAG 6 and tactics, which means only Humans and Grand Elves can start with it

Yeah, I was looking at Grand Elf and a level of Man At Arms to get tactics. (But I think some people may have overlooked that requirement...) You still get a MAG roll of 3d6 plus skills & exploits. I don't think it's much of a glass cannon - Man at Arms gets you END and maybe armour.