The magic tag has no wiki summary.
4
votes
1answer
96 views
What point-buy systems of magic (like psionics in 3e D&D) are there? [closed]
The RPG I'm currently developing is a d20 model, skill driven rules system. The mechanics of spellcasting center around spell effects and point cost for stamina (a universal energy pool for all ...
4
votes
1answer
63 views
Castle Falkenstein: Is there a faster Magic system?
I love running games in the Castle Falkenstein diceless system. However, I find the CF magic system to be a little slow (to set up, run and play) for a high-fantasy campaign.
Can anyone suggest ...
10
votes
1answer
67 views
TDE / DSA - Koschbasalt / Blaubasalt vs Magic Traps
I hope there are even Das Schwarze Auge/The Dark Eye Players around here...
Is it possible to neutralize magic traps (Traps created by applicatus or similar spells, not arcanovi) using Koschbasalt ...
12
votes
4answers
418 views
How does D&D Vancian magic make sense in-game?
One thing that bugs me about Vancian Magic in D&D as I understand it is the following: How is "fire and forget" remotely believable when I can slot and ready more than one "copy" of a spell?
Say ...
4
votes
3answers
199 views
What ways exist to re-introduce vancian magic to 4E D&D?
As much as I like the system in D&D 4E, I'm slightly nostalgic of Vancian magic. The idea of the mage having to re-memorise the spells each day. Obviously it came with the baggage of resting every ...
6
votes
3answers
136 views
Comprehend Languages vs. Linguistics
Given the nature of the spell Comprehend Languages in Pathfinder, is there any particular advantage to taking Linguistics for a character who can cast it? Especially given the chance of severe (or ...
5
votes
1answer
121 views
How can I make a magical photocopier?
One of my players wants a way to reproduce books quickly in an Ars Magica (5th edition) setting.
What spells exist (preferably without using vis) to accomplish this goal?
7
votes
2answers
214 views
I want to build a castle, with magic!
Rather, one of my players, a Terram Magus, wants to be able to construct a castle or equivalent fortification without using creo magic in an Ars Magica 5th edition game.
The rules for crafting with ...
13
votes
3answers
264 views
How should one-word “commands” work in languages other than English?
In various versions of D&D, there's a cleric spell called "Command" where the cleric compels an enemy to obey a one-word command. Typical commands might be "sleep", "flee", "surrender", ...
14
votes
8answers
328 views
How do I create a sense of mystery about magic?
Magic in so many games is something mechanical and fully understood. Assuming I control the setting (and have a group of players willing to try new rules), how do I make magic something mysterious?
...
6
votes
2answers
230 views
Do metamagic feats increase a spell's casting time in Pathfinder?
In D&D 3.5, there was a rule that a spontaneous spellcaster had to spend extra time casting a spell if they chose to apply a metamagic feat. Is this also true in Pathfinder, or was this limitation ...
4
votes
5answers
364 views
What's a good defense against silence?
Well, a dungeon master keeps throwing characters who can silence spells at me. It's a pain in the butt when trying to fight as a group, as most of my friends and I are casters. We're dealing with ...
15
votes
2answers
264 views
How do I handle astral security?
When a shadowrunning team tries to break into a facility protected by magic, it seems to me as a GM like the team's biggest liability is getting past magical security. If a mundane B&E character ...
31
votes
10answers
624 views
Medieval landscapes in a magical world
This is a bid of a broad question, but I will try to narrow it down to this:
When GMing a medieval fantasy, and conflicts between the medieval times and the magical world (mostly D&D and ...
16
votes
10answers
398 views
What RPGs treat magic as being common?
Some fantasy RPGs treat magic as arcane and thus rare, possibly subject to suspicion by the masses. Other games treat magic as somewhat more prevelant but not ubiquitous.
At some point in this trend, ...
5
votes
1answer
306 views
Shadowrun character creation, in what order do you reduce magic due to -wares?
In Shadowrun are there official rules as to when you would reduce your magic rating due to various -wares?
Point in case, if you decide to purchase say bioware at the beginning of the process, before ...
10
votes
1answer
452 views
How do I increase resistance to drain?
My Aztec shaman character, Chimalli, is primarily a spirit summoner, using Willpower (5)+Charisma (7) to resist drain. He has one level of the Focused Concentration quality (+1).
Is there any easy ...
13
votes
9answers
363 views
What would you pick as the “four elements” of mind?
Good evening! I hope this isn't too vague, this is my first post on RPG Exchange (I see some cool conversations here, I'm happy to be a part).
While doodling about with a magic system I'm ...
12
votes
2answers
249 views
Does GURPS Thaumatology require GURPS Magic?
If I picked up the sourcebook GURPS Thaumatology, would I need GURPS Magic? There seem to be a lot of negative reviews of 4th-edition GURPS Magic and nothing but rave reviews of Thaumatology.
3
votes
1answer
216 views
Can you use Shrink Item on a living creature?
Are you allowed to use the spell Shrink Item on a living creature?
6
votes
1answer
271 views
Why do magical traditions specify a spirit type for each spell category?
In the SR4 rulebooks, magical traditions have listings of which spirits a character of that tradition can summon.
For example:
The Aztec Tradition
Concept: ...
Combat: Guardian
Detection: Fire
...
8
votes
2answers
212 views
Resources containing practical, yet non-combat, non-adventuring D&D spells
Continuing the train of thoughts emerging from the discussion of this previous question (about magocracies and theocracies in DnD), I'd like to know if there are any good official or unofficial ...
11
votes
14answers
386 views
Magocracies and theocracies in Dnd?
Anyone has (links to) well thought-out, logical explanations for why magocracies and theocracies are not the dominant governmental forms of DnD worlds? I'd also be really interested in similarly deep ...
12
votes
5answers
312 views
Replicating Modern Technology using Magic-Punk
This is generally a system-agnostic question, as I'm trying to build a feel for my world, and I can add to it whatever rules I need to later.
The world is a 1930s setting, very ...
8
votes
3answers
314 views
How quickly can fortifications be built in D&D 4e, magically and otherwise
My bad guys have holed themselves up for a couple months. Given little preexisting fortification, what resources are there for for building mechanical and magical defenses? Is there something ...
8
votes
2answers
229 views
Does ranged magic that requires line-of-sight also require line-of-effect?
This came up during a combat last week. The party had barricaded themselves behind double doors and the wizard was peering through the keyholes, dropping Scorching Bursts on anything foolish enough ...
8
votes
1answer
391 views
What are the exact rolls and totals for a direct combat spell?
As a Shadowrun 4E GM, I have had a couple of arguments with players about exactly how the magic system works. Suppose a player goes to cast a spell like a Force 6 Powerbolt at an enemy. Exactly which ...
