NEW Immortals Handbook - Ascension thread

[Alzrius]

U_K, a quick question regarding divine progeny.

The way it works regarding expended quintessence is that the total needs to be ten times the minimum amount the resulting divine offspring will have. Anything other than that expended quintessence results in an aborted offspring. However, is there an option to expend less quintessence and have deities that are less powerful than normal (or, I suppose, the reverse too)? For example, in the case of a mortal and a demigod having a child, could the demigod choose to invest 1,000 quintessence and have the child be a Prophet (what better to lead its fledgling church)?

 

[foreverelf]

Happy I could help.

Sure you did

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hey there Alzrius matey!

U_K, a quick question regarding divine progeny.

The way it works regarding expended quintessence is that the total needs to be ten times the minimum amount the resulting divine offspring will have. Anything other than that expended quintessence results in an aborted offspring. However, is there an option to expend less quintessence and have deities that are less powerful than normal (or, I suppose, the reverse too)? For example, in the case of a mortal and a demigod having a child, could the demigod choose to invest 1,000 quintessence and have the child be a Prophet (what better to lead its fledgling church)?

Mechanically I don't see why not.

 

[Axolotl]

When will we be getting an update?

 

[Pssthpok]

I second that inquiry.

 

[paradox42]

Thirded. It's been months! Surely the cover hasn't held you up all this time?

 

[Pssthpok]

Quick question.

Regarding the MBSS abilities (Mind/Body/Soul/Spirit), shouldn't the static abilities (AC and DCs) receive a bonus equal to the ability modifier while the fluid abilities (Attacks and Saves) add divine rank?
It's becoming a point of contention in my group and we're wondering, when comparing those abilities to True Strike (the ability, not the spell) if they're not wholly unbalanced or not.

I mean, for fewer prerequisites, [Adjective] Mind could far outstrip True Strike in terms of net effect. If it were rank instead of ability for the Mind SDAs, then one would need to be an Elder God before such became true.
Just wondering.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hey there Axolotl dude!

When will we be getting an update?

July 1st.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hey there!

Quick question.

Regarding the MBSS abilities (Mind/Body/Soul/Spirit), shouldn't the static abilities (AC and DCs) receive a bonus equal to the ability modifier while the fluid abilities (Attacks and Saves) add divine rank?

No.

It's becoming a point of contention in my group and we're wondering, when comparing those abilities to True Strike (the ability, not the spell) if they're not wholly unbalanced or not.

They start weaker but have the potential to be better, overall I think it evens out.

I mean, for fewer prerequisites, [Adjective] Mind could far outstrip True Strike in terms of net effect. If it were rank instead of ability for the Mind SDAs, then one would need to be an Elder God before such became true.
Just wondering.

...and the flipside is that doing it the other way means its not really that effective at all before Greater Power.

 

[Pssthpok]

But by definition Static Abilities should get a larger boost from a feat or divine ability? you're contravening this? Why?

Another thing to note is that the MBSS abilities don't "start" weaker if the entity is prefabbed with a higher modifier than +20. No one would worry about True Strike with they could stack different MBSS abilities for fewer prerequisites.

All in all, the opposite sides of the tables should be balanced against each other, IMO. If ACs are increased by Ability (which they should be), then Attacks should as well (otherwise ACs will soon far outstrip the attacks, given enough application of the MBSS abilities); likewise, Saves vs. DCs should be equal, too. When comparing the net results to True Strike, you come to one of two conclusions:
1) The MBSS are too powerful and need to be toned down.
2) True Strike is too weak and needs to be upped.

If one were to attempt to address either conclusion, my suggestions would be:
1) All these abilities add rank only, effectively balancing them against each other and not stealing True Strike's proverbial thunder.
2) True Strike needs to do something other than +20; maybe double the key ability modifier to attacks with the given weapon. Looks a lot like the MBSS abilities, but none of those are keyed to physical scores; True Strike would key to Strength or Dex, whichever was used by the weapon in question.
i) Look at it this way, True Strike adds +20; it has prerequisites of Str 40 and Epic Focus. Those prereqs add up to +19 (+15 Str, +4 focus). If you just rewrite it so that True Strike re-adds the key ability modifier for the weapon, it will water down a bit (+15 at minimum, rather than +20), but it will keep in line with the MBSS abilities and make everyone happy, especially me.