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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Pinotage" data-source="post: 2898782" data-attributes="member: 15194">Behind the Spells: Magic Missile is a short pdf by Ronin Arts, the first in the Behind the Spell series of pdfs. Written by Bret Boyd, the pdf takes a deeper look at the Magic Missile spell, and includes several variants and new spells as well as a history of the spell's creation. This pdf contains 4 pages, of which 3 pages are devoted to content. Behind the Spells: Magic Missile normally retails for $1.00.Disclaimer: The reviewer is also a freelance writer/editor but is in no way affiliated with the publisher of this product. Every effort has been made by the reviewer to ensure that this is an impartial review.Note: This is an older review reposted since the server crash.Initial Impressions:Behind the Spell: Magic Missile comes as a single fully bookmarked pdf. As a short pdf the layout is simple and straightforward, and there is no art contained as can be expected. Ronin Arts generally presents professionally looking pdfs and this is no exception. One or two editing errors crept into the pdf, such as using 'enchanted' instead of 'enhanced', but otherwise the presentation and layout was faultless. As an added addition to the layout rules text is blocked out in a grey area, making it easier to discern what is rules text and what is flavor text. Given this distinction, it was straightforward to determine that there's about half a page of rules text and two and a half pages of flavor text to this pdf, although part of the flavor text is taken up by the introduction.The Details:The pdf is written from the perspective of a gold dragon that aims to teach others about the utility and versatility of magic. In this instance the spell under discussion is Magic Missile. The pdf starts by telling of the creation of the spell by a mage named Mirtanin Moldao, and does a goes job of describing how the spell came into being and why the spell automatically hits any target it strikes. In addition to the background details of the spells creation, several plot hooks are provided by which players can investigate the old mage tower where Moldao does his work and there is some background information on the structure of the tower and the layout of the surrounding area. This was a pleasant little read, with a simple plot hook that can be expanded on further within the context of the background provided, and is probably the part of the pdf that shines.Following the creation tale, the pdf examines several variants to the magic missile spell. I found these quite disappointing, and there was little that would be terrible useful in the material. There were three spells secrets to the magic missile spell, and a further variant spell. The three spell secrets didn't offer the best mechanical execution. For example, one of the secrets allows the magic missile to strike objects and send them tumbling off a shelf or table. It does not, however, mention anything about striking attended objects, or whether this can be used to disarm weapons or other objects wielded that can conceivably also be targeted using the spell secret. I felt that a lot more could have been done with these secrets than that presented.The spell variant offers an interesting back story and is well-written. The spell execution is somewhat weak again, and probably not useful in that it only affects plants. What bothers me the most is that it's a burst effect. The thing that makes magic missile different is that it always hits its target when an attack roll would normally be required. Burst effects don't require an attack roll in any event so why is this a magic missile variant? The variant spell just appears to be a burst effect disguised with magic missile flavor text.Conclusions:Behind the Spells: Magic Missile is a great idea and provides an enjoyable back story on the creation of the magic missile spell. In addition to these it provides a number of spells secrets and a spell variant that can be used to further expand upon the spell. The back story and plot hook make for enjoyable reading, but the secrets and variant were disappointing. In the old end it comes down to the usefulness of the pdf, and as is there's not a lot of material that I'll be tempted to use, apart from the back story and one of the secrets where the magic missile can target things that can't normally be seen. Based on a great idea for pdfs, enjoyable back story, but less useful mechanics and rules, I'd grade this pdf with three and half stars, rounding down to three stars.</blockquote>

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