Drifter Bob
First Post
New Primer review, spell failure rule adjustment
New review of the primer up, by ENworlds own Psion
http://www.enworld.org/reviews/index.php?sub=yes&where=active&reviewer=Psion&product=PtPM
In answer to a query he had about the spell failure system:
I agree with the suggestion that the DC for casting be 10 +(spell level x2). One problem we had with the Primer was that for whatever reason all the playtesting ended up being done at pretty low level, partially due to being caught in the middle of the 3.5 update. So a couple of things like this did not become apparent until too late! For that, I apologize. This issue with the skills surpassing the spellcasting DC actually came up in my own campaign when the wizard players started maxing out their spellcraft skills. We actually made exactly the same modification that Psion suggested. The above rule for the higher DC makes it work much better.
To clarify: casting a spell requires a spellcraft skill check. The DC is 10+ spell level x2, (11 for level zero). Failure by 8 or more points, or by rolling a natural one followed by a second failure, means a Dismal failure.
I.e. to cast a fireball requires a spellcraft check with a DC of 16. If you roll an 8 or less, you have a Dismal Failure, if you roll 12 or more over the DC, (a 28) you have an illustrious success. If you roll a 16 or higher, the spell works normally.
Overall the spell failure rules have really enhanced the game in my experience, I love 'em!
I really appreciated Psions review though, thanks
You seemed to really get the point of the book. I hope you get a chance to use it in a game.
For those of you who have the Primer, don't forget to check out the errata on the Codicillairy page at Pelgrane
http://www.pelgranepress.com/downloads/Codicillary.pdf
DB
New review of the primer up, by ENworlds own Psion
http://www.enworld.org/reviews/index.php?sub=yes&where=active&reviewer=Psion&product=PtPM
In answer to a query he had about the spell failure system:
I agree with the suggestion that the DC for casting be 10 +(spell level x2). One problem we had with the Primer was that for whatever reason all the playtesting ended up being done at pretty low level, partially due to being caught in the middle of the 3.5 update. So a couple of things like this did not become apparent until too late! For that, I apologize. This issue with the skills surpassing the spellcasting DC actually came up in my own campaign when the wizard players started maxing out their spellcraft skills. We actually made exactly the same modification that Psion suggested. The above rule for the higher DC makes it work much better.
To clarify: casting a spell requires a spellcraft skill check. The DC is 10+ spell level x2, (11 for level zero). Failure by 8 or more points, or by rolling a natural one followed by a second failure, means a Dismal failure.
I.e. to cast a fireball requires a spellcraft check with a DC of 16. If you roll an 8 or less, you have a Dismal Failure, if you roll 12 or more over the DC, (a 28) you have an illustrious success. If you roll a 16 or higher, the spell works normally.
Overall the spell failure rules have really enhanced the game in my experience, I love 'em!
I really appreciated Psions review though, thanks
You seemed to really get the point of the book. I hope you get a chance to use it in a game.For those of you who have the Primer, don't forget to check out the errata on the Codicillairy page at Pelgrane
http://www.pelgranepress.com/downloads/Codicillary.pdf
DB
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