Re: (TFT) New spell, is IQ level good?

["David Michael Grouchy II" <david_michael_grouchy_ii@hotmail.com>]

> Rich Smith wrote . . .
>
> New spell, Is the IQ level good?



    This years award for most original spell goes to Mr. Richard Smith.  
The mechanics behind this spell are eerily like the effects of the spell 
itself.  "Deep shadow as if lit by dim indirect lights."


    Knee jerk reactions aside, to answer the question 'Is the IQ level 
good?', the short answer is NO.  It is too high.  I recommend IQ 12.  Now 
for the long answer.

How I decided the IQ:
    I try to determine which existing spells can simulate each individual 
effect and what IQ that spell is.
    ". . . subject appears to be in deep shadow. . ."  Shadow  IQ 10
    ". . . -1 IQ to their detection roll. . ." Confusion  IQ 9
    ". . . can see thru shadow. . ." Mage sight  IQ 12
    ". . . limited regeneration. . ."  Uh, um,  IQ 21?

How I weigh the limitations:
    Then I try to factor in the limitations, which in this case are many, 
of the spell.
    "(S). . ."  nice because it can't be cast on someone else.  Only a 
person who knows the spell can cast it.  This makes it like some kind of 
personal discipline or something.  It also raises serious questions about 
the feasibility of a magic item for this ever being invented.  Also nice.
    ". . . already on them. . ."  Excellent.  Spell can't be used to 
regenerate damage after the fight is over and the wizard has rested up.
    ". . . in a shadow. . ."  An interesting limitation for the 
regeneration.  A person with this spell is definitely going to want a shadow 
magic item.  That is a unique situation for a spell.  Almost requiring a 
magic item to use it effectively.
    These three major limitations are enough to offset the regeneration, in 
my mind, and only require a 12 IQ.  That is the highest IQ required to 
simulate any one of the other effects.  Of course the regeneration question 
is open to debate, but I feel it is sufficiently limited in this case.

   In conclusion I find the spell to be so specifically limited, fatigue 
costly, and unlikely to be a reliable choice for players that I would allow 
it at IQ 12.

   David Michael Grouchy II


_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

=====
Post to the entire list by writing to tft@brainiac.com.
Unsubscribe by mailing to majordomo@brainiac.com with the message body
"unsubscribe tft"