Damage Equivalence

[Hussar]

We find damage equivalence between offensive and other types of spells. Charm Person roughly 10.5 points of damage

From http://www.enworld.org/forum/news/317373-seminar-transcript-class-design-assassins-wizards.html

Now this little line really caught my attention. Ignoring the actual number there, since we have no context in which to place it, I'm thinking that's not a half bad metric to judge things. Start with the baseline that everything is damage, and then peg effects relative to that.

Thoughts?

 

[Sammael]

My heads hurts just thinking about it. It does make some sense, but I think it's wholly unnecessary.

I'd like for [MENTION=326]Upper_Krust[/MENTION] to chime in here.

 

[Szatany]

From http://www.enworld.org/forum/news/317373-seminar-transcript-class-design-assassins-wizards.html

Now this little line really caught my attention. Ignoring the actual number there, since we have no context in which to place it, I'm thinking that's not a half bad metric to judge things. Start with the baseline that everything is damage, and then peg effects relative to that.

Thoughts?

We do actually. We know fireball deals 5d6, which is ~18. That, to me, suggests that charm person is a high level spell (or a spell that can be cast rarely, like once a week or something, or a ritual with a casting time of 1 hour, or has tough component)

Looks like HP and damage will be the currency when designing/blancing elements in 5e.

 

[Sammael]

Ah, but Fireball deals ~18 damage to multiple opponents. I've had players affect up to 20 opponents with that spell, which is ~360 damage. So I don't think Charm Person will be all that high in level.

 

[Szatany]

Ah, but Fireball deals ~18 damage to multiple opponents. I've had players affect up to 20 opponents with that spell, which is ~360 damage. So I don't think Charm Person will be all that high in level.

True, I don't know how I could have forgotten that
Still, I don't think charm person will remain a 1st level spell. My gut tells me it will get moved to L3.

 

[Raith5]

Was it humor? Please let it be humor.

 

[harlokin]

There needs to be some mechanism for the game designers to judge the relative power of spells/abilities.

Problem is that when you let slip that the game is being constructed with consistent principles, some of the old-timers scream blue murder that "it's not what Gary intended".

 

[Hassassin]

What's the damage equivalent of comprehend languages?

 

[Number48]

Yeah, we're talking about relativity in design. The damage comparison will NOT be in the book.

 

[Raith5]

Well then the key aspect will be how combat and social aspects relate and get balanced. I guess the action economy will also matter if it is an in combat ability , ie does it hinder the target going into fight against the caster. Ultimately play testing is the only thing that will determine its real value.