Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 MechaPilot May 23, 2010 20:03:10	I've always liked magic to have its darker side, and blood magic is an especially intriguing concept to me. I realize I can just fluff an existing arcane caster to cut themselves with shallow, 0 hp, cuts when they use a power. Likewise, I can refluff a caster to make a dagger into an implement (like the dagger that warlocks can use as an implement). What I'm wondering about however, is the following feat idea. The caster cuts humself deeply, losing a healing surge. The caster uses the power of his/her blood to empower a spell. A spell empowered by this feat gets a +1 per tier bonus to it's attack roll, and a +5 per tier bonus to its damage. Any ideas, suggestions, questions, or concerns?
#2 Bandikoot May 23, 2010 20:24:23	I like the idea, and if your casters are anything like mine, they do a good job of staying out of harms way.  They would probably be able to use this at least 3 times per day.  The one concern that I have with your current idea though, is the risk reward ratio.  A healing surge is still something fairly important to give up and the idea they could get nothing out of it (ie they miss) is a problem.  Instead of just a bonus to attack, how about making blood magic add an effect to the power. A spell empowerd by this feat gains the following line: Effect - All creatures targeted by this spell take Int/Wis/Cha (chosen when the feat is taken) bonus damage. Then even if you miss, you still get something for spending the surge.
#3 MechaPilot May 23, 2010 20:46:03	I like the idea, and if your casters are anything like mine, they do a good job of staying out of harms way.  They would probably be able to use this at least 3 times per day.  The one concern that I have with your current idea though, is the risk reward ratio.  A healing surge is still something fairly important to give up and the idea they could get nothing out of it (ie they miss) is a problem. My original draft of the power was that the caster simply lost 5 Hp per tier (the same amount added to the spell's damage). I was concerned however that this wouldn't balance with both increased damage and a bonus to attack.   Instead of just a bonus to attack, how about making blood magic add an effect to the power. A spell empowerd by this feat gains the following line: Effect - All creatures targeted by this spell take Int/Wis/Cha (chosen when the feat is taken) bonus damage. Then even if you miss, you still get something for spending the surge. I like the idea of the empowered spell having an effect on a miss, to compensate for the spent healing surge. Your suggestion of doing damage equal to the caster's ability modifier of choice is a good idea. Another idea that occurs to me is altering the feat: dropping the attack bonus and changing the effect so you only have to spend a healing surge if you strike the target. In this regard it would be akin to an immediate reaction (or interrupt?) encounter power that lets you spend a surge to deal extra damage. What do you think?