Help with crafting character

[Barodahn]

Ignore this part

[Barodahn]

And since I at least think it is a good idea...

A question for the community. 
 
Not sure exactly how the focus/category thing works out.
Specifically for foci for enchanting.

So, +1 to either strength or frequency is one slot. that is easy.

+1 to strength and +1 to frequency, I thought was just 2 slots, but going by the equation below, total bonus of 2 * types 2 =  four slots?

and then +2 to strength and +1 to frequency, how many slots is this?  is it just three since they are both a "crafting" bonus? or would it 6, 2 "types" * 3 bonus's = 6

I am just having a hard time following what exactly the  "total number of slots a focus item uses is equal to the number of elements or types multiplied by the bonuses"

And could you say use 2 different foci when crafting or for thaumaturgy? (ie, a +2 strength and a +2 frequqncy) For crafting an enchanted sword for example using a hammer and an anvil that are focus items makes sense to me...

Still trying to wrap my head around this system. Thanks!

[Myrddhin]

+1 to strength and +1 to frequency, I thought was just 2 slots, but going by the equation below, total bonus of 2 * types 2 =  four slots?

and then +2 to strength and +1 to frequency, how many slots is this?  is it just three since they are both a "crafting" bonus? or would it 6, 2 "types" * 3 bonus's = 6

I am just having a hard time following what exactly the  "total number of slots a focus item uses is equal to the number of elements or types multiplied by the bonuses"

And could you say use 2 different foci when crafting or for thaumaturgy? (ie, a +2 strength and a +2 frequqncy) For crafting an enchanted sword for example using a hammer and an anvil that are focus items makes sense to me...

The first item you mention would be 2 slots and the second would be a 3 slot item. When the rules say "types" they mean types of thaumaturgy (Biomancy, Crafting, Summoning, Worldwalking, etc.). As for using two separate foci, sure, as long as they are not supplying the same kind of bonus (no using two items which both give you a +2 complexity to Summoning and no other bonuses)... or rather, you can but the overlapping bonuses don't stack, you just use the highest.

[CMEast]

Exactly as Myrddhin says. The only time you need to 'multiply by the elements or types' is if you have a focus item that can be used for more than one type of spell or element. Then you would multiply because the bonuses must always be the same.

For instance:

+2 to control and +1 to complexity (Divination) - 3 slots

+2 to control and +1 to complexity (Divination and Veils) - 6 slots (2 div control + 2 veil control + 1 div complexity + 1 veil complexity)

+2 to control and +1 to complexity (Div) and +1 to control (veil) - not possible in a single item, but can be done as two separate items of 3 slots and 1 slot.

You can also have focus items in thaumaturgic themes like Biomancy as well.


The only bit I'm hazy on is if you mix elements with types or themes, or if you combine a crafting focus with the others. I get the impression that you can't combine evocation focus slots with thaumaturgic focus slots in to the same item. I'm not sure if crafting can be mixed with other themes or if it needs to be separate either. To be honest, I can't imagine it being a big problem, unless someone creates a character that as sworn an oath to only carry one item at a time... which would be daft

[Barodahn]

So.. on the enchanted item note...(that can be made with the character that has two refinements into focus item (for crafting) and 2 in enchanted items and a lore 5, and specialization's for crafting as well)

How would you do an enchanted net or something similar? intended as a grapple effect...
So i would have to have a maneuver to place "all tied up" aspect.
But you can't have two different effects on an enchanted item so how do you give it a "might" effect to roll?
I have 9 shifts to work with for this character...

Or would it just be a simpler "block", 6 shifts of block, 3 for duration? Would that have same effect of grapple? just without the extra bonuses?

[Mitchell Powers]

--- snip ---
+1 to strength and +1 to frequency, I thought was just 2 slots, but going by the equation below, total bonus of 2 * types 2 =  four slots?

and then +2 to strength and +1 to frequency, how many slots is this?  is it just three since they are both a "crafting" bonus? or would it 6, 2 "types" * 3 bonus's = 6

--snip--

And could you say use 2 different foci when crafting or for thaumaturgy? (ie, a +2 strength and a +2 frequqncy) For crafting an enchanted sword for

--snip--

I have seen nothing to indicate you can't use multiple focus items. (And multiple places where it talks about gathering your focus items <PLURAL> when getting ready to cast a spell )

However, you cannot put 2 different numerical bonuses on the same focus item.
In your example you have +2 to Crafting Strength and +1 to Crafting Frequency. This is not permitted according to to page YS278

All bonuses of an item always
apply to all of the types on the item: you can’t
have +2 complexity for necromancy and +1
complexity for wards in the same focus item,

Very sad but it's rather specific on the subject.
(You could always do your own house rules of course if you prefer it).

[Mitchell Powers]

So.. on the enchanted item note...(that can be made with the character that has two refinements into focus item (for crafting) and 2 in enchanted items and a lore 5, and specialization's for crafting as well)

How would you do an enchanted net or something similar? intended as a grapple effect...
So i would have to have a maneuver to place "all tied up" aspect.
But you can't have two different effects on an enchanted item so how do you give it a "might" effect to roll?
I have 9 shifts to work with for this character...

Or would it just be a simpler "block", 6 shifts of block, 3 for duration? Would that have same effect of grapple? just without the extra bonuses?

Unless you're throwing multiple slots into it you can't do 2 different effects with a magic item. So it will all have to be in one.

You could start with page YS293 where they give an example of an 'Entanglement' spell. It's not lethal, but remember you will want to put as many shifts in power as you can to hold your target.

You may in fact be better off doing this as a one time magic item (aka- Potion).

Frequency gives you multiple uses of those as well.  per YS280

Crafting specializations for items and potions
aren’t used for control or complexity; they
usually affect frequency or strength without
making you spend an extra slot to do it.

And in the last paragraph on the same page it talks about boosting the power of a potion on the fly.

You say you have 9 shifts. And you have a 5 Lore.
So the max strength you can put in by default is 5.
This doesn't seem to include crafting bonuses or bonuses from more slots.
(not that I've seen anyway).

And we know that the maximum Effect Strength of an Item (and a potion is still an item) is TWICE your Lore.  (If you're curious it's on the same page just above the example of Harry's 3 slots.)

So your max Strength is 10, but only 5 of it comes from your base. The rest you have to build on with foci, etc...

So I'd put as much into Strength as you could and still get the duration you want.

Then on the fly you may need to boost it some more. (or you may not...who knows).


Hope this helps!!

[Barodahn]

However, you cannot put 2 different numerical bonuses on the same focus item.
In your example you have +2 to Crafting Strength and +1 to Crafting Frequency. This is not permitted according to to page YS278

But crafting IS one category, is what i thought was said by people earlier in the thread? At least that was my impression, since crafting is a bit wierd i am unsure though.

[Mitchell Powers]

Crafting has 3 areas.

- Frequency == More Uses Per Day

- Focus Items == Able to put more +'s on focus items(caveat you can't use a focus item to make a focus item!)

- Strength == Stronger Item Effects.

All that is on YS280 btw.

And yes...crafting is not heavily detailed.....took me a lot of digging to find a lot of things...and searching these forums to find where devs answered questions *laugh*

[Barodahn]

right, but by my read frequency/strength is the equivalent to doing +1 control and +1 complexity for veils or whatever, and that could go on one item

edit... not that it really matters, could just structure as a +2 strength a +2 frequency you use to make enchantments

[Mitchell Powers]

right, but by my read frequency/strength is the equivalent to doing +1 control and +1 complexity for veils or whatever, and that could go on one item

Yes, one focus item could have +1 to both control and complexity
what you can't do is put one at +1 and the other +2

[Barodahn]

since it isn't an item that is carried, really fine for it to be a "workshop" focus items anyway, it's not like you need it in the field like you do for evocation foci.

Edit: and yes, entanglement is perfect for that, thanks.

edit2: sort of, this just applies the ASPECT right? it doesn't actually perform a block to prevent them from doing things? or am i misunderstanding something?

[Mitchell Powers]

Certainly. +2 for both strength and frequency works fine.

Just so you know you can't change your focus items until you hit a 'significant milestone' (See page YS89) . (Which kind of annoyed me, because until I found that little door slammer I was going to do exactly what you were talking about and have lots of focus items and just swap em every day or so as needed.)

[Barodahn]

Not switching focus items, instead having focus items to have stronger enchanted items, which i currently have 12 slots of, lol.

[Mitchell Powers]

Hmmmmm and how many laws did you break to get that many?