Thresholds and non-wizards

[geminigrey]

Stupid question time...

The book lays out pretty well how thresholds work against magic and spirits, but I'm working up notes for a game tomorrow, and I'm trying to figure out exactly how it effects physical critters (scions for example) with toughness, speed, strength powers?  Not at all..reduces effectiveness (and if so, how?)...etc etc?

[wyvern]

Depends.  For an actual creature, such as a scion or a were-form, I'd tend to say not at all - unless it has thresholds as a specific weakness.

For something ectoplasmic in nature (like summoned demons), the threshold probably either removes an amount of powers equal to its strength, or provides a penalty on physical actions (athletics, might, fists, etc) equal to its strength, take your pick.

[luminos]

Either not at all, or it provides a block strength against them trying to get in/use one of their powers.  If its a mortal, err on the side of not at all, if its not a mortal, go for the block.

[Belial666]

Do remember that demons and zombies have assaulted Harry Dresden's home more than once. They could not use their magic but they could use purely physical attacks - including "breath" weapons - just fine.

[finnmckool]

In all fairness:
1) harry has almost no threshold. they talk about it all the time when explaining thresholds
2)This is why that demon in SF (who's name I'm not even gonna bother with at this insane hour) walked right in, but he left behind some power at the door leaving him just physical.
3) The Zombies were blowing themselves apart on the wards. Not the threshold, but once the wards were down they busted right in. However, consider that zombies are humans from this plane of existence, magically reanimated or no. There wouldn't be anything stopping them as they're, sort of, mortal. It's their will that's magically manufactured not their bodies.

[babel2uk]

Probably too late...

The book actually does cover what a Threshold does to physical supernatural creatures. It's the section on Suppression (last paragraph right hand column page 230). It basically reduces the effectiveness of their supernatural powers unless they're invited in. Harry makes the point many times in the novels that Thresholds are what protect mortals from the supernatural. It's where the idea that 'a vampire needs to be invited in' comes from.