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Can you identify an Epic Spell?
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<blockquote data-quote="Patryn of Elvenshae" data-source="post: 2415116" data-attributes="member: 23094"><p>Well, here's how I do it to begin with.</p><p></p><p>First, keep in mind that spells aren't really standardized to begin with. When I cast Magic Missile, I do so differently than when you cast Magic Missile. If I'm an elven wizard, perhaps my spell causes a glowing golden bow to appear which fires a number of unerring arrows, whereas the human necromancer tosses screaming skulls.</p><p></p><p>That's why you need to make Spellcraft checks to identify spells to begin with, and you don't so much identify the spell as realize which form of magical construct is being created. Obviously, the elven wizard's use of material, somatic, and verbal components is different than the human's (as is evident from the different magical effects), but a successful Spellcraft check allows either to identify the spell as being a minor Force evocation of the 1st-sphere, designed to throw unerring daggers of magical energy.</p><p></p><p>We metagame and tell the player, "It's a magic missile spell," because most players understand that as shorthand for the more lengthy description.</p><p></p><p>When you're dealing with an unknown spell - either because the player isn't experienced enough to translate from the spell name into game terms or because it's a brand-new spell - I just revert to the more lengthy description.</p><p></p><p>Accordingly, treat individualized Epic spells as brand-new 10th-level spells. "It's an Epic Evocation, using the Fire and BOOM! seeds, and it looks like it will cause a destructive fire rain in a 400 mile radius."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Patryn of Elvenshae, post: 2415116, member: 23094"] Well, here's how I do it to begin with. First, keep in mind that spells aren't really standardized to begin with. When I cast Magic Missile, I do so differently than when you cast Magic Missile. If I'm an elven wizard, perhaps my spell causes a glowing golden bow to appear which fires a number of unerring arrows, whereas the human necromancer tosses screaming skulls. That's why you need to make Spellcraft checks to identify spells to begin with, and you don't so much identify the spell as realize which form of magical construct is being created. Obviously, the elven wizard's use of material, somatic, and verbal components is different than the human's (as is evident from the different magical effects), but a successful Spellcraft check allows either to identify the spell as being a minor Force evocation of the 1st-sphere, designed to throw unerring daggers of magical energy. We metagame and tell the player, "It's a magic missile spell," because most players understand that as shorthand for the more lengthy description. When you're dealing with an unknown spell - either because the player isn't experienced enough to translate from the spell name into game terms or because it's a brand-new spell - I just revert to the more lengthy description. Accordingly, treat individualized Epic spells as brand-new 10th-level spells. "It's an Epic Evocation, using the Fire and BOOM! seeds, and it looks like it will cause a destructive fire rain in a 400 mile radius." [/QUOTE]
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Can you identify an Epic Spell?
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