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The Dresden Files => DFRPG => Topic started by: devonapple on August 24, 2011, 02:41:51 AM
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Sometimes in this system, you want a character or creature to be able to do a wide variety of things - analogous to Evocation and Thaumaturgy - but not exactly.
Some ideas that have come up on the boards:
Pseudo-science
http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,28519.0.html
Music Magic
http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,25956.msg1105617.html#msg1105617
In each of these situations, one could take Evocation and Thaumaturgy (or the lesser options Channeling or Rituals) and re-skin them. One necessary component most people want to do is to change which skills are used to govern them: what substitutes for Conviction, Discipline and Lore? Craftsmanship, Resources and Knowledge make sense for a scientist; Presence and Performance seem right for a Bardic type.
What I'm curious about is whether or not the community would prefer to:
A) re-skin the Evocation/Thaumaturgy/Rituals/Channeling with new skills and trappings, but make it cost the same
(so 6 points for a completely re-skinned version of Evocation and Thaumaturgy)
B) re-skin the Evocation/Thaumaturgy/Rituals/Channeling with new skills and trappings, but charge 1 Stunt for each Skill/Trapping substitution
(so, 7, 8 or possibly 9 points for Evocation, Thaumaturgy and stunts to switch out 1-3 of the original spellcasting Skills)
C) treat their niche ability like Rituals and/or Channeling, but charge +1 Refresh for the option to switch out the Skills and Trappings which govern it use
(so 6 points for a completely re-skinned version of Rituals and Channeling that uses whatever spellcasting skills make sense)
D) Something else
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I put my vote for "re-skin at same cost" - but I'd like to qualify that with: it depends on the situation.
For example, one NPC I statted had scary sponsored earth magic that ran off of fists and endurance (instead of discipline and conviction). That, I charged extra refresh for, because it's just worth that.
On the other hand, I've got a PC with rituals re-flavored as hyper-technology, and is based on craftsmanship instead of lore. That came in with no price change, since, well, craftsmanship just isn't the most useful of skills to start with.
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Something else.
Evocation and thaumaturgy can have their casting skills moved around with stunts, as long as they still need 3 skills to cast.
Sponsored Magic can have whatever casting skills seem appropriate. It's part of the benefit grab-bag that all sponsors provide.
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I was going to write pretty much what wyvern did. Most of the time, it just changes the flavour of how the character treats his magic. However, if he is substituting combat skills for his casting skills, I would charge him extra. If you have a high fists skill for your casting ability, it is just too convenient to have it, when you are cut of from your magic. However, something like that should be tied into the character concept deep enough, that it should be ok. I don't think I would charge extra for endurance instead of conviction, but I would make casting stress physical as a drawback.
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I was going to write pretty much what wyvern did. Most of the time, it just changes the flavour of how the character treats his magic. However, if he is substituting combat skills for his casting skills, I would charge him extra. If you have a high fists skill for your casting ability, it is just too convenient to have it, when you are cut of from your magic. However, something like that should be tied into the character concept deep enough, that it should be ok. I don't think I would charge extra for endurance instead of conviction, but I would make casting stress physical as a drawback.
I'd agree with that; if the change is clearly being made for flavor/storytelling reasons, then I would let it be free. If taking it would allow for optimization, then I would make them use a stunt for it.
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I agree with the last couple posts, with one possible caveat... 3 stunts to completely swap out casting skills is a bit pricey. I might be willing to allow 1 stunt that covers swapping all 3.
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I agree with the last couple posts, with one possible caveat... 3 stunts to completely swap out casting skills is a bit pricey. I might be willing to allow 1 stunt that covers swapping all 3.
So, for Channeling+Rituals+Reskin you would propose 5 points, and for Evocation+Thaumaturgy+Reskin you would propose 7? That may be a good compromise.