If you want to know why some people have a problem with you changing handles...

No, it's simply your ignorance of said term of service that you're showing. You're not allowed to have multiple accounts (such as what Adam does when he wants to post an official announcement). There's nothing wrong with changing your handle.

Considering how you guys continue to derail a thread, I don't think a one of you have any right to talk about respecting posters in any case.

Okay then, so without creating a new account you are changing the handle on your existing account? Or perhaps you have multiple active accounts such as:

Doctor Funkenstein, Account# 1890
or...
A Clockwork Lime, Account #6158
or...
A Rodent of Unusual Size, Account #6354

Now since you agree that:

I'm sorry to revive this old topic, but I didn't want to open another thread for a related complex of questions:

Tomahawks can be thrown and they have a (STR+1)S damage code when dikoted. Same goes with a Vibro-Knife (STR+1)S and the Cougar Short (STR+1)S and Long (STR+2)S Fineblades.

That aside, sure, that's a good use of those two spells. I wouldn't call them mage-killers anymore than throwing a normal weapon by a skilled adept would be, but it's still a really nice option for magicians.

Oh thanks, I didn't think of those, as I looked into cannon companion ... and that only lists throwing knives, shuriken, caltrops and one other ...

To get back to the original question of this post real quick...
Awhile back I emailed fanpro and asked the question about using combat pool with elemental manipulations in addition to spell pool, and they said you can. The total number of dice from both pools can't exceed the sorcery rating, of course, but this does allow you to allocate more dice to the casting test rather than saving it for the heavy EM drain.
As a GM, I'm glad that both pools are available, since extra successes in casting serve to offset the fact that these spells can be dodged (the ability of the magician to use combat pool sorta checks the ability of the target to do the same).

-Joe

aiming can be done over multiple initiative passes and combat turns. the fact that spellcasting is a complex action has nothing to do with why you can't aim elemental manipulation spells.

So it's possible to AIM EM spells? Give me a page reference so I can see all the goodness!

Thanks.

well, i'm not saying that it's possible to aim EM spells. i'm just saying that the reason you can't aim them has nothing to do with the fact that spellcasting is a complex action.

Just remember that casting a spell is a complex action, so you cannot aim and cast on the same action. However, if you've got the time, it may be worthwhile.

In my game, I don't allow aim or combat pool or smartlinks or laser sights to adjust the TN or number of dice for casting an elemental manipulation spell.

Like Zazen, I note that Aim is done with a ranged weapon.

SR3.196, Elemental Manipulations, as quoted above, is a copy of part of the text from 13 pages earlier. Here is that earlier text:

I consider a fireball to be as much a weapon as anything else. It's physical in nature, it has to be aimed, you're using your skill to launch it, and it does damage. Sounds like a weapon to me.

Take Aim relies purely on your skill at using the ranged weapon as made evident in the fact that you can only gain a bonus up to one-half your skill rating when using it. Doesn't matter whether your skills is in Pistols, Throwing Weapons, or Sorcery -- they all represent the same level of skill in aiming a valid ranged attack using those rules.

Likewise, if you're going to apply the penalties for normal ranged combat, you should allow any valid bonuses, too. That includes the Take Aim action.

That said, of course a smartlink or laser sight won't work with an elemental manipulation -- they obviously don't have smartgun technology or laser sights installed on them. But Take Aim is a measure of skill and the Enhanced Aim spell is a magical boost to your innate ability to aim on the fly. Both are perfectly valid when using an elemental manipulation since you do, in fact, have to aim the spell just like any other ranged attack.

How do you know that? Several people here say that the fireball is generated at the mage's hands, and then flung at your opponent-- that's why barriers in the path block it.

Because EM are cast within 1 complex action. From beginning to end, only one action. I find it would be a little silly to stand there pointing your finger at someone screaming "I'm gonna melt your ass!"

In terms of balance, Enhance Aim tends to be a wimpy spell anyway. It's got limited range, target number reduction limited to half your ranged skill, potentially a small drain injuy (in case of a really bad role), and the +2 TN modifier for then having to sustain the spell. Unless they dump the thing into a sustaining focus, there's not much point.

i don't find it any sillier than standing there pointing a gun at someone screaming "i'm gonna shoot your ass!"

which is to say, both of them sound kinda dumb. on the other hand, taking a moment to steady your breathing, get a correct sight picture, and makes sure your grip is tight sounds about right--just as taking a moment to steady your breathing, make sure you've got the distance right, and noting any obstacles sounds about right for a fireball.

something just came to mind if a cyclops was using an EM spell would he apply his +2 to target number considering EM's are treated like normal ranged weapons.I personally wouldn't think so as spellcasting is more about synching up with with the target/victims aura than about firing at a target dependant on depth perception I'd prefer concrete quotes from the text if possible.