Combination spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Combination spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ZeroTakenaka
04-03-07, 08:50 PM Hmm... I was wondering if spells could be made to semi resemble ChronoTrigger combination attacks.

X-strike would require two people attacking at the same time. Only weapon damage is improved by 50%. Can use 3 times a day.

Fire Sword. Casts a fire spell on weapon and attacks with it. The fire lasts only 1 turn.
Tempest Stormwind
04-03-07, 09:06 PM Readied actions and the Delay action. Done.

We have a team with a strong Chrono Trigger influence at the moment and we execute interesting dual-tech style attacks simply by using ready and delay.

We also don't delude ourselves into thinking that just because they happen on different initiative counts, they didn't happen at the same time.
ZeroTakenaka
04-04-07, 07:36 AM Well that's interesting but wouldn't you do extra damage?
Seeker95
04-04-07, 09:13 AM No, you would not do extra damage. But you can do a decent amount of damage with controlled timing.

As a houserule, I could see the two attacks occurring "simultaneously" treated as a "single attack" for purposes of damage response mechanics (resistances, DR, massive attack, etc.)
Tempest Stormwind
04-04-07, 10:34 AM You would do extra damage if you normally would (i.e. sneak attack). You would have greater effects if what you do requires aiding another (for instance, the team readying themselves to aid the fighter's charging Bull Rush could give him the edge he needs to push something over a cliff, which he couldn't do on his own). You'd be able to pull off flashy dual-tech scenarios in ways you wouldn't normally be able to, but they probably won't amount in extra damage. They will, however, make the game seem more exciting and dynamic in combat, since you'll stop thinking of everything in terms of its hit points and armor class and more in terms of it being a creature in a world with physical laws (in our two games, we'd taken out more monsters making clever use of the environment than we had in raw combat until about level 7 or so).
ZeroTakenaka
04-04-07, 05:57 PM o.o Now what does it have to do with spells? We're getting a bit off-topic... but I don't know what to say
Tempest Stormwind
04-04-07, 06:45 PM o.o Now what does it have to do with spells? We're getting a bit off-topic... but I don't know what to say

Joint tactics can execute Chrono Trigger style dual-techs as well, if not better than, joint spells.

Now, step back and look at what your ideas were:
1) X-strike: Two people attacking: Gee, that sounds a LOT like what my two warriors do every turn. If they delay to go on the same init count it even looks the same.
2) Fire sword. As in, wizard casts Flame Weapon on the warrior's sword and he then attacks with it. How is this special?

If you REALLY want the ida of a lot of people casting spells at the same time, either deal with better narrative description or look into the (terrible) Cooperative Spell feat (Complete Arcane).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ZeroTakenaka 04-03-07, 08:50 PM	Hmm... I was wondering if spells could be made to semi resemble ChronoTrigger combination attacks. X-strike would require two people attacking at the same time. Only weapon damage is improved by 50%. Can use 3 times a day. Fire Sword. Casts a fire spell on weapon and attacks with it. The fire lasts only 1 turn.
Tempest Stormwind 04-03-07, 09:06 PM	Readied actions and the Delay action. Done. We have a team with a strong Chrono Trigger influence at the moment and we execute interesting dual-tech style attacks simply by using ready and delay. We also don't delude ourselves into thinking that just because they happen on different initiative counts, they didn't happen at the same time.
ZeroTakenaka 04-04-07, 07:36 AM	Well that's interesting but wouldn't you do extra damage?
Seeker95 04-04-07, 09:13 AM	No, you would not do extra damage. But you can do a decent amount of damage with controlled timing. As a houserule, I could see the two attacks occurring "simultaneously" treated as a "single attack" for purposes of damage response mechanics (resistances, DR, massive attack, etc.)
Tempest Stormwind 04-04-07, 10:34 AM	You would do extra damage if you normally would (i.e. sneak attack). You would have greater effects if what you do requires aiding another (for instance, the team readying themselves to aid the fighter's charging Bull Rush could give him the edge he needs to push something over a cliff, which he couldn't do on his own). You'd be able to pull off flashy dual-tech scenarios in ways you wouldn't normally be able to, but they probably won't amount in extra damage. They will, however, make the game seem more exciting and dynamic in combat, since you'll stop thinking of everything in terms of its hit points and armor class and more in terms of it being a creature in a world with physical laws (in our two games, we'd taken out more monsters making clever use of the environment than we had in raw combat until about level 7 or so).
ZeroTakenaka 04-04-07, 05:57 PM	o.o Now what does it have to do with spells? We're getting a bit off-topic... but I don't know what to say
Tempest Stormwind 04-04-07, 06:45 PM	o.o Now what does it have to do with spells? We're getting a bit off-topic... but I don't know what to say Joint tactics can execute Chrono Trigger style dual-techs as well, if not better than, joint spells. Now, step back and look at what your ideas were: 1) X-strike: Two people attacking: Gee, that sounds a LOT like what my two warriors do every turn. If they delay to go on the same init count it even looks the same. 2) Fire sword. As in, wizard casts Flame Weapon on the warrior's sword and he then attacks with it. How is this special? If you REALLY want the ida of a lot of people casting spells at the same time, either deal with better narrative description or look into the (terrible) Cooperative Spell feat (Complete Arcane).