Direct vs. Indirect Combat Spells, Forgive a Newb Question Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Outline Switch to: Standard Switch to: Linear+

[BlackHat]

So, I don't play a lot of magicians, but I found myself recently looking at the spells again.

I think I am missing something pretty basic, but I'm not sure what. I figure somebody here can help me out.

Despite my favorite mage character being a fire-specialist, I found myself wondering why anyone would ever learn an indirect combat spell? The drain is 2 points higher. The target gets more dice to resist (first with reaction, then if there are any hits left, with body + 1/2 armor + elemental resistance armor mods, as opposed to only rolling body with, say, powerbolt). The elemental side-effects are nice, but most of them (except maybe fire) don't seem like they would come up that often - certainly not enough to make up for 2 points of drain, and giving your enemy about 6-12 extra dice to resist with.

Street magic confirms that someone thinks that elemental affects are worth +2 increase to drain, and having to be "indirect" (which seems to suck) - but I am not really seeing that much of an advantage to indirect combat spells. It seems that if you're interested in your combat spell dealing damage (as opposed to knocking your opponent down, having a small chance of stun, or making his ExEx ammo go off) you're much better off just using powerbolt.

Am I mad?

ô.o