Post/Author/DateTime	Post
badbreathdragon 11-09-06, 04:17 PM	Instead of boring you with my noob status, let me get to the question. Why is it when I cast a priest spell or mage spell or some psionic power, it all feels the same? I feel like I should tweak some of abilities in dnd to better suit the power. I guess the real question is, should I tweak these powers? I really don't like the balanced feel to everything. In the end every "power" seems the same. Has anyone done something along the lines of trying to make the game a little less balance? Or at least make so that playing the sorcerer doesn't feel like playing the wizard...
Khael 11-09-06, 04:36 PM	Because balanced means its a relatively level playing field. Would you want to be struck with an extra powerful attack simply because: "This is a sorcerer, the power of raw magic flowing in his veins. He therefore wups your wizard." Also other side gets more guys. Even if you are a level 5 or so wizard, with shield, do you want the ruling, the enemy sorcerers get extra-strong magic-missiles and kill you... Or, because his god of undeath watches the cleric, he raises a small army of wights. Still want that unbalanced system knowing you'll be the underdog now?
Edymnion 11-09-06, 05:29 PM	The main problem, IMO, is not in the system itself, but in the way we use it. I also play Mutants and Masterminds 2e, which is extremely generic in it's rules (any ranged attack is a Blast power, reguardless of if it's a fireball, an arrow, a gun, or a cyclops style eye blast), but it still manages to feel very differant based on how you use and describe the attack. The problem I think you may be having is that you and your group aren't putting enough description into the spells. If all you are doing is saying "I fireball it for 12 damage" and "I cast harm on it for 37 damage", yes, everything is going to feel the same because you're reducing it to nothing but the base mechanics. Try putting extra effort into describing the effects of the spell, and only giving the hp damage as an after thought. Something like: "I raise my arm and invoke the power of Zephyr, elemental goddess of the north wind to infuse me with her fury as a roiling coil of lightning blasts forth from my palm and sears it's way across the field, leaving an afterimage burned into the eyes of anyone that saw it that lasts for several moments before fading away. The poor creature on the recieving end of it is thrown into spasms as electricity arcs all around him, and the smell of burned fur and leather mingles with the overpowering stench of pure ozone. Oh yeah, the gnoll I hit with it takes 29 points of damage."
frasmage 11-09-06, 08:36 PM	its all in the description my friend. It is very difficult to make stuff that is completely different, yet balanced and playable. However there is a big difference between between these guys all casting a fireball-like ability: -(wizard) "I pull out my spellbook, scrool through the pages and with an "oh there it is..." I begin rereading the incantations. With a few tricky twists of the hand and complex jumble of letters I send a small bead of energy at the wall, which instantly ignites in a torrent of flames. -(sorceror) " I call upon the power of my ancestors. My blood boils as I extract the powers of my bloodline for my use. By calling the name of the great one who came before I unleesh a bolt of flame to engulf my foes -(Cleric) "They have commited crimes against god and must be punished. [God's Name], grant me the strength to destroy those who wrong your name. The clouds part as a beam of divine fire decends to smite my foes. -(psionics) "I cannot bear them any longer. there lives must end here. All the hate within me comes together against these foolish foes. I stare right into their eyes and pour all my hate and anger through them. I stand back as they spontaneously explode in a firey death. See, they are all doing similar things, but the way each describe their "casting" makes all the difference in flavor what other casting type would you like an example of?
Myree 11-09-06, 09:29 PM	I'm with frasmage here. The way it is described is what matters, especially sticking with the "thought process" that matches the way each one calls on this power. Another good example is the standard lightning attack. Wiz -- I have prepared for just such an eventuality, studying the arcane connections between the nether planes and this one. Through the study of the ancient writings, I know that by opening myself to the power, channeling it into my hands by waving my fingers thus to stroke the web of magic so... speaking the ancient words of power that unlock the power within and without and aiming it THUS! (and a great stroke of energy jumps from the wiz's hands to the chest of his target) Sorc -- My connection with the powers surrounding this place allows me to pull together the otherwise random patterns of energy to arc between my hands, until by my will they strike out as the raw power of LIGHTNING! (and the ball of arcing energy surrounding his hands leaps out to strike his victim) Cler -- Oh Great and Powerful _______, THIS is the moment you have guided my prayers to. Open a path to your divine power and drop a stroke of cleansing lightning on the evil before me! (and as the unworthy monsters hair stands on end, a bolt drops from the very air to strike him down to the dirt it rose from). Psi -- I can feel the power building in my mind, dancing before my eyes. With but a thought, I transfer that power to burn the very core of his being. (and the victim suddenly starts convulsing for no apparent reason, biting the tip from his tongue as his eyes roll back in his head).
badbreathdragon 11-10-06, 01:09 AM	I've taken all this in and it is a great help in understanding the system (though I have played for a while). I guess I just need a way to make the abilities seem different by more than just a description. TY all tho...