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Posted by: Jonny Reload Sep 14 2010, 09:04 PM

Is there a cap on what Force Foci you can have? (ex. Can a Magic 6 Mage have a Force 10 Sustaining Foci?)

Also, is there anyway to permanently destroy Foci? (Do you put your invested Karma in jeopardy when you buy one?)

If so, are there ways to protect your Foci from some average Mage just one day trying to mess with you and blasting your Foci to kingdom come.

Posted by: pbangarth Sep 14 2010, 09:51 PM

At Chargen, all ratings are limited to 6, and on top of that are Availability and cost.

Yes, there's a number of ways of losing foci, from physically breaking them to getting them infested with that nasty spirit from Running Wild, what is it.... Imp! So, your investment is indeed at risk.

Hide the focus, so it can't be seen and disrupted magically. (Not so useful on the astral.) Blow away anyone who looks like he will do it harm. Counterspelling works on characters, but not on objects, though if you had a focus possessed by a friendly spirit, you could put it under protection of counterspelling.

Posted by: Dahrken Sep 15 2010, 05:09 AM

Also, have the focus crafted from something resistant and durable even if it's a bit harder to enchant. A solid, hand-forged steel dice can take a lot more abuse than a wood-and-feather trinket.

Posted by: Jonny Reload Sep 15 2010, 05:30 AM

Well physical props aren't my concern, it's magical attacks and stuff from the Astral that worry me about investing in Foci.

Posted by: Dahrken Sep 15 2010, 05:41 AM

Astral attacks normally cannot destroy your focus, just turn it off, so it's more an irritation than a real loss. Of course if you're astrally projecting it can be problematic as you cannot reactivate it without going back into your body, but the focus itself will still be fine.

There are two main methods to permanently disable a focus for a given user (and make you loose the karma invested into binding it) : physically destroy it, or have it bound by someone else.

Posted by: Yerameyahu Sep 15 2010, 06:08 AM

Talk to your GM. Most characters don't worry too much about their equipment being destroyed; foci are usually a more significant investment (cash and karma), and the GM shouldn't gun for them without a great reason. Fair's fair.

Posted by: Elfenlied Sep 15 2010, 11:21 AM

You can always choose to implant the focus, if you're really afraid of losing it. Other than that, make sure it is covered by patches of cloth at all times, so it isn't visible to astrally perceiving opponents.

Posted by: Yerameyahu Sep 15 2010, 03:49 PM

Duct tape bracelets. Magic socks. Etc.

Posted by: pbangarth Sep 15 2010, 03:52 PM

2072 trideo: "The Red Green III Show", featuring his magic roll of duct tape.

Posted by: Dahrken Sep 15 2010, 05:45 PM

There are two limits : you cannot have more than (Magic) focus bound at the same time, and the sum if their Ratings cannot exceed (Magicx5).

Posted by: Makki Sep 15 2010, 05:49 PM

and GMs may call for focus addiction test, whenever the sum of force of all active foci exceeds Magic x2

Posted by: jakephillips Sep 16 2010, 02:13 AM

Where is that from

Posted by: Makki Sep 16 2010, 06:08 AM

digital grimoire p.8

Posted by: CeeJay Sep 16 2010, 07:13 AM

IIRC, in Digital Grimoire, there is also an obscure combat spell, that specifically targets foci... Disrupt Focus or something?
Don't remember, if the focus has to be active to be affected by this spell... but there are certainly ways for a nasty GM to mess with your magical equipment.

-CJ

Posted by: pbangarth Sep 16 2010, 01:23 PM

Yes, on page 16 of DG. Seeing as each version of the spell has to be for particular type of focus, I wonder how often that spell will be used. Maybe Disrupt [Power Focus] or Disrupt [Sustaining Focus]. But you will always hear the argument, "Why not just nail the owner with a Stunbolt?"

Well, for one thing, objects can't be protected by Counterspelling. So if your spells aren't getting her, cut her power cord. Nevertheless....

Posted by: Neraph Sep 16 2010, 05:07 PM

And don't forget Imps.

Posted by: pbangarth Sep 16 2010, 05:14 PM

Nope, http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=32865&view=findpost&p=988197

Posted by: Neraph Sep 16 2010, 05:16 PM

Oh. Well, don't forget imps. I think it bears mentioning three times.