Magic -- "Point and Click"

Community Larp discussion
#1

Having been on the end of a few magic spells and having seen a few in action, I was wondering how people felt about the power of the attack spells (and abilities) in Teonn? I have a couple of observations / opinions, some of which are probably criticisms… :unamused:

Probably the main one is the instant “point and click” take down spells / abilities. I’ve seen a couple of these in action and they are quite simply game changers. One second you’re hale and hearty, the next you’re unconscious, asleep or unable to tell friend from foe. Some of them have counter spells which you can put on in advance, but it’s really only a small sub-set of characters that have that kind of ability.

My personal opinion on these is that pretty much all abilities that can take someone out, should have the ‘possibility of failure’ or ‘way to resist’. With a sword, you can dodge or parry. With a sap, you can sit with your back in a corner or wear a helmet. With a fireball, you can dodge the spell packet(s). With poison arrows, you can stick a shield in the way or hide behind a tree…

The other thing is in some cases, the spells have no warning or build up. There is no casting, no recognisable ‘spell’ happening, it’s just “point and click”.

Anyway, opinions anyone? :smiley:

#2

Well, if I hear it this way, it sounds sort of like you can just go into a one on one battle, cast a sleep spell on the oponent, and stab him, there ya go, victory without any chance of the oponent to win… Or is a sleep spell on contact?

#3

I’m against “point and call” magic as a rule because of it’s lack of balance. Having said that, it’s not the only balance issue with the Teonn system. Although back on topic, I think more specifically the incapacitating (not incapacitation status) effects of the point and call spells are a massive advantage to anyone using them, and the equivalent of near-instant death to anyone on the receiving end stabby stabby stabby.

#4

[quote=“Kamica”]Well, if I hear it this way, it sounds sort of like you can just go into a one on one battle, cast a sleep spell on the oponent, and stab him, there ya go, victory without any chance of the oponent to win… /quote]

That is exactly what it was like!

#5

On the other hand, I have to spend 5 minutes every time I want to inflict HP damage and THEN hit moving targets in the dark at range with a thrown object. Damage magic is lacklustre to say the least, particularly in a protracted battle sequence. When you look at the CP cost of the spell, it becomes especially less effective compared to other options. It’s a shame, because yelling out “Lightning Bolt!” and through stuff is awesome fun.

#6

I think a short rhyming couplet would be good. Many many years ago we had a magic missile spell that was:

“Twinkle twinkle little star,
From my finger fire afar…”

#7

I agree. An instant incap ability seems kind of silly. Especialy if you can do it more than once a day. So 3 heavily armored knights with shields go up against one PC and the PC points at each and says sleep. Then possibly finishing blows each of them.

I think thats an obvious rediculous power imbalance.

#8

That’s pretty much exactly what happened on Friday night, isn’t it?

#9

I think it is balanced, I believe the ruling went if you get interrupted mid chant you have to start again, so just interrupt people faster. All the combat affecting magic requires chanting, except that one in sacrifice magic which confuses the target for 5 mins, but that makes the caster fall asleep for 5 mins :stuck_out_tongue:

Also, may I point out that friday night was due to Saps, not magic. Afaik there isn’t a sleep spell.

#10

I believe there are PCs that have instant ranged incaps that do not require any chanting or casting.

#11

Of course the lightning bolts coming back the other way were coming a LOT faster than that.

#12

At least one character has the sleep “racial ability” which instantly put people to sleep without any casting or chanting or chance to interupt.

#13

On the whole I think the magic system is fine but some of the elemental racial abilities are starting to get a bit silly.

#14

They were, but they only do 2 damage, so they actually seemed about right to me.

#15

At least one character has the sleep “racial ability” which instantly put people to sleep without any casting or chanting or chance to interupt.[/quote]
Oh, wasn’t aware of this, we didn’t have a sheet of Special abilities in the crew room this time.

Of course the lightning bolts coming back the other way were coming a LOT faster than that.[/quote]

Well, lots of New crew, not everyone knew how magic works in teonn, and sometimes crew are given differing instructions on the spot or exemtions.

#16

Moderator: I have moved this into the General forum as it is talking about a general concept in LARP.

#17

yup

resulting in the death of at least two characters…

#18

Is this a general forum topic? I mean we are talking specificaly about Teonn magic and teon Elementals. Seems pretty specific to me.

#19

Well, the general desirability of instant incapacitation effects certainly is. OTOH, the answer is “what sort of a game do you want” e.g. one where magi blast people directly, or one where the sneaky bastards put everyone to sleep then slit their throats.

#20

This is not a general Topic - please can it be moved back to the Teonn thread where it can be commented upon by the players of the Teonn campaign.

Yes I am aware of the Irony of my comment - no I will not be commenting on this topic.