Dragon #294 in today!

[Aaron L]

I want more info on epic spellcasting. Spill it, U_K!

 

[Tarril Wolfeye]

Iuz (DR 3/NA): 4/NA
Pholtus (DR 15/7): 18/9
Rao (DR 17/8): 22/11
Tharizdun (DR 11/5): 14/7

For comparison:
Hera (?/8): ?/10
Hercules (5/NA): 5/NA
Hermes (15/7): 18/9

Glyfair of Glamis

Hmm..

Iuz (DR 3/NA): 4/NA -- effective DR 3/NA --> bonus +0
Pholtus (DR 15/7): 18/9 -- effective DR 17/8 --> bonus +2
Rao (DR 17/8): 22/11 -- effective DR 21/10 --> bonus +4
Tharizdun (DR 11/5): 14/7 -- effective DR 13/6 --> bonus +2
Hera (?/8): ?/10 -- effective DR 19 or 18/9 --> bonus +2 or +3
Hercules (5/NA): 5/NA -- effective DR 4/NA --> penalty -1
Hermes (15/7): 18/9 -- effective DR 17/8 --> bonus +2

It seems as if something gets them higher Divine Rank as far as SDA are concerned.
Notice how Hercules looses 1 rank for SDA.

Now is there anything which could make these mods?

 

[Glyfair]

Hmm..

Iuz (DR 3/NA): 4/NA -- effective DR 3/NA --> bonus +0
Pholtus (DR 15/7): 18/9 -- effective DR 17/8 --> bonus +2
Rao (DR 17/8): 22/11 -- effective DR 21/10 --> bonus +4
Tharizdun (DR 11/5): 14/7 -- effective DR 13/6 --> bonus +2
Hera (?/8): ?/10 -- effective DR 19 or 18/9 --> bonus +2 or +3
Hercules (5/NA): 5/NA -- effective DR 4/NA --> penalty -1
Hermes (15/7): 18/9 -- effective DR 17/8 --> bonus +2

It seems as if something gets them higher Divine Rank as far as SDA are concerned.
Notice how Hercules looses 1 rank for SDA.

Now is there anything which could make these mods?

I'll speculate first of all that it isn't a one SDA per DR correlation. Secondly, I'll speculate that some SDAs might be more "expensive" than another (although, I'll tend to argue against this). For example, Hercules has Indomitable Strength. That sounds like it might be a more powerful (and thus expensive) SDA than some others.

Perhaps each DR allows a certain number of special abilities (perhaps 2 per DR). One option is to take a SDA, another would be a significant stat bonus.

Still, the two gods we have with the same DR do have the same number of SDAs. My only sticking point is that Hercules only gains one SDA on Iuz while being two DRs higher.

Also, we'll have to assume that Avatars don't follow the pattern for SDAs. Hera's avatar is DR 8 with 10 feats while Rao's is DR 8 with 11 feats. Also Hercules is DR 5 with 5 feats but Tharizdun's avatar has DR 5 with 7 feats. It seems that avatars have exactly half the gods SDAs regardless of Divine Rank.

Glyfair of Glamis

 

[Glyfair]

Another note that no one has commented on. All gods have 3 domains. If they wish to have more they have to use a Salient Divine Ability. None that are listed have used more than two (thus having more than five domains).

Of course, from what we know of RttToEE, it seems Tharizdun cheats. However, his stats in Dragon don't reflect this bit.

Glyfair of Glamis

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hi Aaron!

I want more info on epic spellcasting. Spill it, U_K!

From what I have picked up it is something similar to the concept surrounding 2nd Ed. True Dweomers.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hi all!

I'll speculate first of all that it isn't a one SDA per DR correlation.

I definately think theres more to it than meets the eye.

Secondly, I'll speculate that some SDAs might be more "expensive" than another (although, I'll tend to argue against this). For example, Hercules has Indomitable Strength. That sounds like it might be a more powerful (and thus expensive) SDA than some others.

I agree with this notion.

Indomitable Strength is almost certainly the culprit!?

Its also relevant to finding out how to balance Divine Rank with Epic Levels.

If Indomitable Strength adds +20 STR (for two Salient Divine Ability Slots) then Divine Rank could be seen as equal to as much as +5 Epic Levels possibly!?

Perhaps each DR allows a certain number of special abilities (perhaps 2 per DR).

This could be tied in with the number of (bonus?) immunities Hercules has!?

ie. you get +2 Abilities (chosen from either SDA or Immunities)

One option is to take a SDA, another would be a significant stat bonus.

Possible. Though Indomitable Strength seems to fit our ideas so neatly.

Still, the two gods we have with the same DR do have the same number of SDA. My only sticking point is that Hercules only gains one SDA on Iuz while being two DRs higher.

Its been a case of 'the more you learn the less you know' since 'we' got to grips with the Dragon #294 information.

 

[Glyfair]

Regarding Divine Immunities: I wonder how universal these are. You see, somehow Tharizdun has listed in his Divine Immunities "banishment."

Glyfair of Glamis

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hi all!

One thing I have been wondering...

...if the Avatar is considered half the deities Divine Rank I wonder is the deities Divine Rank doubled on its home plane (realm)!?

 

[Darkness]

Hi all!

One thing I have been wondering...

...if the Avatar is considered half the deities Divine Rank I wonder is the deities Divine Rank doubled on its home plane (realm)!?

What if a deity's home plane is the Prime Material, though?

(Unless the deity in question is a demigod without an avatar, of course.)

 

[Aitch Eye]

That's Allan

Arrgghhhh...Sorry, I do try to catch things like that. I must have been concentrating too hard on spelling "Erik" correctly