Which spells do you usually imagine linked to an orb, staff or wand? (Tome optional)
- Thread starter Driddle
- Start date
I think perhaps my expectations are tied to (personal) metaphorical representations of the items. As I said earlier, for example, wands are finger-pointing devices, which can imply placement ("It's over THERE") or targeting like a gun. So spells that have those effects or intentions should be tied to wands, regardless of the individual spell strength -- that includes magic missiles as well as fireballs.
Staves, on the other hand, are more tree-like, with the implication of tapping into deeper energies and/or the environment itself. That means area effects that eminate in a radius, like a forcefield, for example, or blazing light itself. Calling up vines from the ground, perhaps. Causing the earth to rumble and shake. Maybe even stirring up the weather, winds and lightning. ... And it's also the most weapon-like of the implements, which lends itself to slamming things around ala pure (telekinetic) force.
Orbs are usually crafted from crystal or glass, and, being round (duh!), they lend themselves to the metaphor of vision. ... Alternately, the lens-like nature of an orb suggests narrowly focusing or wide-spreading light and other energies.
Tomes, though, give me pause, because you can write almost anything in a book -- including the explanations and incantations for all the aforementioned spell effects. Books are meant to store information, whether it be text or pictures or whatever else we can imagine. I don't see why a tome would be an implement that would be limited to certain spell types.
Anyway ... I know I might be repeating some of these thoughts. But I'm truly confounded by the descriptions shared by those who know what's coming to pass. Because of the many personal interpretations of these fantasy implements, this particular 4th edition change seems very arbitrary and baseless.
Staves, on the other hand, are more tree-like, with the implication of tapping into deeper energies and/or the environment itself. That means area effects that eminate in a radius, like a forcefield, for example, or blazing light itself. Calling up vines from the ground, perhaps. Causing the earth to rumble and shake. Maybe even stirring up the weather, winds and lightning. ... And it's also the most weapon-like of the implements, which lends itself to slamming things around ala pure (telekinetic) force.
Orbs are usually crafted from crystal or glass, and, being round (duh!), they lend themselves to the metaphor of vision. ... Alternately, the lens-like nature of an orb suggests narrowly focusing or wide-spreading light and other energies.
Tomes, though, give me pause, because you can write almost anything in a book -- including the explanations and incantations for all the aforementioned spell effects. Books are meant to store information, whether it be text or pictures or whatever else we can imagine. I don't see why a tome would be an implement that would be limited to certain spell types.
Anyway ... I know I might be repeating some of these thoughts. But I'm truly confounded by the descriptions shared by those who know what's coming to pass. Because of the many personal interpretations of these fantasy implements, this particular 4th edition change seems very arbitrary and baseless.
Kahuna Burger
First Post
As some have said, I see tomes as being for casting longer ritualised spells of any sort, rather than any particular school, and spells that are symbol based (both the actual Symbol of spells and things like Circle of Protection).
Orbs are for spells that draw from outside the caster. Divinations would often fit, but also possibly Shadow spells and some summonings.
Wands and staves are the same to me, channeling the power of the caster through a material focus. I'm not sure how I would draw a distinction between those two... possibly effects that were the same regardless of level would flow through wands and scaling effects through staves, but that's reaching for a distinction rather than one that leaps easily to mind.
Orbs are for spells that draw from outside the caster. Divinations would often fit, but also possibly Shadow spells and some summonings.
Wands and staves are the same to me, channeling the power of the caster through a material focus. I'm not sure how I would draw a distinction between those two... possibly effects that were the same regardless of level would flow through wands and scaling effects through staves, but that's reaching for a distinction rather than one that leaps easily to mind.
AdmundfortGeographer
Getting lost in fantasy maps
Just want to get this out so folks can stop commenting on it like its still in the article.Eric Anondson said:
Tomes are out.
Tomes are out.
Tomes are out.
Go check the article again, it was changed and Tomes are not in the article now.
Time to refine the speculation based on the change.
gothmaugCC
First Post
Eric Anondson said:Just want to get this out so folks can stop commenting on it like its still in the article.
Tomes are out.
Tomes are out.
Tomes are out.
Go check the article again, it was changed and Tomes are not in the article now.
Time to refine the speculation based on the change.
But But But........What happens to poor Gargamel? Can he not cast spells anymore?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLQhm0KHImM
Kahuna Burger
First Post
Bad decision, they were the most distinct of the bunch....Eric Anondson said:Just want to get this out so folks can stop commenting on it like its still in the article.
Tomes are out.
Tomes are out.
Tomes are out.
Go check the article again, it was changed and Tomes are not in the article now.
Time to refine the speculation based on the change.
None of them. I've already got my first house rule for 4e: wizards can choose one focus (orb, rod, staff, wand, dagger), and that focus will work with every spell the wizard learns AND "grow with the character", thus eliminating the "golf bag o' spell foci" that this rule threatens to become.
Bad enough that 3.x has fighters carrying around a bunch of weapons solely to get around DR, I'm not going to force wizards to do the same damn thing.
Bad enough that 3.x has fighters carrying around a bunch of weapons solely to get around DR, I'm not going to force wizards to do the same damn thing.
frankthedm
First Post
A book on the battlefield screams "Ruin Me!" more than a stick, staff or ball. That said, i do like the imagry of a caster in a long ritual, book in hand.
Wand: close range and targeting or for a longer spell requiring minute precision. A handgun or a orchestra conductor’s wand.
Staff: Area effects and long range or Long casting time spell with more power than precision. A shotgun or sniper rifle
Orb: Spells that affect the caster as much as the victims and spread out in all directions. Also for spell that let the caster see things not there. A radar/radio/satellite receiver / transmitter
Tomes: contain magic too powerful for the caster to yet cast, thus have very long ‘casting times’. Also spells too dangerous to actually know or memorize would be in a book. Ranging in power from a student’s how to manual all the way up to an A-Bomb or other WMD
Wand: close range and targeting or for a longer spell requiring minute precision. A handgun or a orchestra conductor’s wand.
Staff: Area effects and long range or Long casting time spell with more power than precision. A shotgun or sniper rifle
Orb: Spells that affect the caster as much as the victims and spread out in all directions. Also for spell that let the caster see things not there. A radar/radio/satellite receiver / transmitter
Tomes: contain magic too powerful for the caster to yet cast, thus have very long ‘casting times’. Also spells too dangerous to actually know or memorize would be in a book. Ranging in power from a student’s how to manual all the way up to an A-Bomb or other WMD
I like the concept of:
No concept.
I think wands, staves, orbs, and tomes can be Wizard aids not tied to specific types of spells.
Rather, Wands could give a bonus to Damage, Orbs could give a bonus to Range, Staves could give a bonus to Area, and Tomes could give a bonus to DC (or some form of resistance penetration). Or some such.
I would throw Duration in here, but I suspect Duration will be "Per Encounter" in 4E and not worth it.
No concept.
I think wands, staves, orbs, and tomes can be Wizard aids not tied to specific types of spells.
Rather, Wands could give a bonus to Damage, Orbs could give a bonus to Range, Staves could give a bonus to Area, and Tomes could give a bonus to DC (or some form of resistance penetration). Or some such.
I would throw Duration in here, but I suspect Duration will be "Per Encounter" in 4E and not worth it.
