I don't think Ignite would be a great option in most combat situations, due to the OR threshold, combined with the delay while you make the spell permanent.

Only a combat butler would wish to ignite drones. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)

Would the possibility of setting off drone ordinance make it any better? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

Ignite is great when you can prepare for it. It is also awesome to use as a distraction/trap, as things can be set to blow up after you have passed them... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I actually used Ignite in a game, but it was Spell Designed with the Gm's permission
Basically it had the Hot Potato (street magic) effect incorporated into the spell for increased drain. I think it worked out to f/2+1, working with both spells as the starting base.
Basically, something actually got really hot(instead of illusionarily hot), and THEN exploded into flames.
It actually worked out rather well, because I also had Control Element: Fire. Its a good way to ramp up the damage, IF your mage doesn't get geeked for a few Combat Turns. Also good because its an area spell, and you can use it on other sources of fire - such as the ones your Fire elementals cause. I was going for a pyromancer theme.

The main purpose of ignite, really, ISNT in combat. Its to burn anything you want GONE within a few seconds.

Yep, anything will burn if it gets hot enough, and that is Ignite's primary function... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I thought that's what a den of feral ghouls was for...

We had a mage use it to get through the lockdown-doors. Had to survive the firefight while the Ignite warmed up. I think it's a cool spell.

I could also see an Elemental Manipulation that created a heavy fog or mist, obscuring your visibility to the drones.

Or a spirit to use Concealment on you. A mid to high end spirit (Force 3-6) will help you avoid being seen / detected by a drone to a significant degree.

If I'm a mage being attacked by drones, my first thought is to ensure I survive the initial engagement and then concern myself with fighting back.

Like the Shadow or the Mist spell? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[Element] Wall impedes visibility completely, unless you happen to know Air Wall (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
I don't know, how Electricity Wall would look like, but I guess no Rigger wants to find out its Force by flying through it. High drain though -.-

Yup. The OR mechanic makes the spell pretty weird though. It is easier to have a rock (OR 1) burst into flames than gasoline (OR 2). It's Magic.

BTW how quickly does ignite consume an inanimate object?

That makes a lot of sense. Trid Phantasm sounds like it might be good for that purpose.

I generally believe in a survive first, then win philosophy also. And I like Trid Phantasm. I think the op mentioned that the drones were using radar.

Does Trid Phantasm work against radar though? I checked <sr4a208> and I suppose OR of 3 to affect sensors...

Does Trid Phantasm, as multi-sense, include touch? If so, it seems like it would fool radar. If not, no idea.

Uh.
Yes, multi-sense includes touch.

Then it stands to reason that a physical (non-mana) spell simulating enough substance to fool touch would also fool radar as it should have enough substance to reflect radar. It also stands to reason that it would fool any echolocation sensors if the same logic applies. Of course I am applying some semblance of real-world physics to a system that may "just work" or "just not work" that way depending on a game master's ruling.

I always assumed it means it stimulates the touch receptors, not actually creating a physical manifestation. Hence why its a illusion.

Illusions aren't illusions in the D&D sense.

The steriotypical 'mind effecting' illusions are the Mana Spell Type illusions, while Physical illusions, yes, DO create real sensations and things to interact with. Which is why Special Effects mages are so desirable in hollywood/simsense productions.

But yeah. Basically, everyone in this thread needs to open up their core rule books, and look at the description of illusion spells. So much confusion and making sense of a spell would be saved if people bothered to READ the relevant stuff instead of spouting off their version of 'i think it works, or should work this way'.

Specificlally Mana Illusions(208), Physical Illusions(208), Obvious Illusions and Realistic Illusions(also on 208), Single-Sense and Multisense(208 AGAIN.)

Supplementing this is street magic 103: Spell Design.
The above keywords - Obvious, Realistic, Multisense, Single-sense - can be applied to any given spell for an adjustment in the drain code.

This is the reason I suggested that, pages ago, people Spell Design their Improved Invisibility to Multi-Sense from Single-sense. Doing so makes it significantly better, and basically removes any need for stealth spells relating to sound. Or radar. Or other sensors. Because physical illusions spells specifically work against technology.
On the flipside, because its a Mana illusion, Regular Invisibility works on the astral. Against spirits.

Except that's awful. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Make the mages even more unstoppable… except by other mages.

It doesn't work on astral, because it's not 'vision' on astral.

A mage *MIGHT* be able to see a much-loved and restored '39 Ford Coupe in Astral... But certainly not a freshly made drone.

100% doesn't work on the astral. The spell is highly visible on the astral (1 hit on an assensing test).

Now, there are those who propose an *astral sense* version of it. I still don't think that works, but at least it'd be the correct sense. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

It's called Concealment.

Not specifically true.

The AURA is visible. Specifically, the spell is visible, not its target.

If you have a means to cloak the spells aura - such as Extended Masking - then you're golden.


And yeah, astral perception is definitely a Sense in rules terms, given that it can be borrowed with Borrow Sense, and similar related spells, like passenger.

"That's odd. There's an Invisibility spell over there. I wonder what I can't see. Eh"
*Hits the area with Force 6 Fireball*