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Wenin
Senior Scribe
585 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 01:03:52
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What kind of action would it take to "willingly" lower the spell resistance afforded by the Staff?
I have a GM that wants to have it so that I must make a Readied action in order to lower the resistance and absorb the spell. I'm unsure of where I am on this issue, as I do see the ability to absorb spells to be damn handy, especially if you keep the staff low on charges.
A question that I thought about.... it states Single Target or Ray spells.
What about spells that allows for multiple targets, but the caster only picks a single target? Magic Missile, Scorching Ray... etc?
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Session Reports posted at RPG Geek.
Stem the Tide Takes place in Mistledale.
Dark Curtains - Takes place in the Savage North, starting in Nesmé. I wrapped my campaign into the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, but it takes place in 1372 DR. |
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Wenin
Senior Scribe
585 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 01:06:39
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| His stance has something to do with Spellfire classes having to take a Readied action to do the same thing. No familiar with the mechanics of that class in 3.5. |
Session Reports posted at RPG Geek.
Stem the Tide Takes place in Mistledale.
Dark Curtains - Takes place in the Savage North, starting in Nesmé. I wrapped my campaign into the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, but it takes place in 1372 DR. |
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Sandro
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
266 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 03:34:55
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Would you believe that this thread has -1 replies? 
Unfortunately, that's all I got on the subject. Sorry! |
"Gods, little fishes, and spells to turn the one to the other," Mordenkainen sighed. "It's started already..." |
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Dracons
Learned Scribe
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 04:04:22
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Explains how I somehow lost it when I tried to find it. Strange how that works. Damn gremlins.
Lowering spell resistance is a standard action, regardless how you have it. |
I love PMs! Please send me a message. Even if its Hi. |
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Hoondatha
Great Reader
USA
2449 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 04:23:57
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And it's still got -1 replies, two replies after that was first noticed. Truly weird.
Not that I have anything constructive to add, either. I just wanted to come and look at the negative thread. Too bad it's not about Planescape...  |
Doggedly converting 3e back to what D&D should be...
Sigh... And now 4e as well. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7970 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 06:49:45
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quote:
Would you believe that this thread has -1 replies?
Maybe a Staff of the Magi sucks replies when recharging?
Is there a canon Staff of the Wild Magi? |
[/Ayrik] |
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Sandro
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
266 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 07:31:48
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And, five replies later, we finally get to zero.
Sage, it appears your gremlins are innumerate. 
And that brings it up to one. Back to your regularly scheduled programming, folks! |
"Gods, little fishes, and spells to turn the one to the other," Mordenkainen sighed. "It's started already..." |
Edited by - Sandro on 22 Nov 2010 07:32:49 |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3286 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 07:54:54
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I guess Wooly let the gremlins out again... |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 15:34:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
I guess Wooly let the gremlins out again...
Nope, that's all Sage!  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 16:02:30
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I told you their 'Gremlin Most High' (Bhaadcôd) was loose in Faerûn again! 
And BTW, two of my other 'regular' sites are down, and FB has been wonky for two days. Supposedly there is a new, extremely virulent and destructive virus going around right now (being spread mostly by Facebook).
As for the OP, it works however your GM says it works. You will get no fodder for your counter-argument from me.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Mr_Miscellany
Senior Scribe
545 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 16:29:57
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The rules are pretty clear that a Staff of the Magi functions like a Rod of Absorption. If you lower the spell resistance (a Standard Action) then so long as the Staff is in your hand, absorption is automatic (i.e., requires no action).
I personally do not like the idea that the Staff (or the Rod, for that matter) can only absorb single target spells or rays. Were I your DM, I’d rule that Magic Missiles are absorbed, as are the various Bigby’s Hand spells (provided they attack you; Interposing Hand isn’t something I’d rule the Staff could absorb), while area effects would remain unabsorbed by the Staff.
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Kno
Senior Scribe
452 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 16:52:53
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| FRemlins |
z455t |
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4429 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 17:00:46
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| Well, you can make the staff work like the Rod of Absorption. That item, I believe, requires you to use a Readied action to absorb magical energy OOOR you could just say Staff of the Magi requires a immediate action to lower your SR. This distinction means that you cannot cas quickend spells or Swift actions until your next turn. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7970 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2010 : 19:41:32
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Why would you limit the Staff's absorption powers to just force-effects? Spells like Shield can already protect against such magics.
As DM I would simply use a lesser Staff of Power or even a Staff of Thunder and Lightning (or something similar) before handing out a full-blown Staff of the Magi, but I wouldn't alter the scope of their powers (I personally view them as well-balanced enough, in relation to each other at least, given they are items of great power comparable to lesser artifacts). Especially when considering that each player should possess items of comparable power, just to be fair. Each DM would rule differently, of course.
I'd suggest Cremlins (Computer Gremlins), or maybe even Crimps |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 22 Nov 2010 19:52:42 |
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Dracons
Learned Scribe
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2010 : 18:36:51
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AHh but remember Arik. It's Forgotten Realms. Wizards are suppose to have staff's of the magi by level 12. A fighter can only have a club. Maybe a MW version if he saved his money up enough.
That just judging from some DM's and player perceptions here that wizards are end all be all in this game. Not something I ever would agree on. |
I love PMs! Please send me a message. Even if its Hi. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7970 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2010 : 01:38:28
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| Well - I might be wrong - but offhand I can only name perhaps a half-dozen NPCs in the Realms who are known to own a Staff of the Magi. In my Realms such a staff far rarer than commonplace walking sticks for every puny 12th level wizard. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Dracons
Learned Scribe
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2010 : 01:47:15
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Same here bro. It's a very rare item in my world, that one of my players was in shock when he found one that was in ruins. He's spent alot of time and money working to get it to repair against the elder evil they're about to face.
I've just seen some DMs and players here, and other boards, that feel that they're god simply because they're a wizard at level 1 or 2. That no fighter can dare go against, and Kings better kiss their asses. A player tried that attitude, they'd be jailed or worst. |
I love PMs! Please send me a message. Even if its Hi. |
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Razz
Senior Scribe
USA
749 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2010 : 15:17:00
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| Bah no mention of Gremlins...it still peeves me to think WotC never bothered doing 3.5 stats for them. I guess their Tome of Horror I stats work out for now, and Pathfinder has a number of them, though it's their own versions. |
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althen artren
Senior Scribe
USA
780 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2010 : 19:48:01
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well Malchor Harpell knows how to make them, so
maybe they are more common. |
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Dracons
Learned Scribe
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2010 : 20:45:59
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quote:
Originally posted by althen artren
well Malchor Harpell knows how to make them, so
maybe they are more common.
Malchor Harpell is also an epic level character, with a history of magic studying, his family studies magic, his family history, all magic. It be shocking if he didn't know how to craft one. |
I love PMs! Please send me a message. Even if its Hi. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7970 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2010 : 23:38:31
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| Knowing how to make such staves doesn't mean opening a factory. Even under easy new item creation rules, a Staff of the Magi would require a very serious investment in time and resources. Assuming that's all Malchor wants to do with his life. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Dracons
Learned Scribe
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2010 : 23:50:50
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| Never said he did open a factory, just that it be shocking if he didn't know HOW to make one :). |
I love PMs! Please send me a message. Even if its Hi. |
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althen artren
Senior Scribe
USA
780 Posts |
Posted - 28 Nov 2010 : 02:21:27
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If he knows, it means that the formula is out there, plus
there are lost ones. Ed says there is one in the Royal Palace in
Suzail that acts as a bed post, and one lost in the roof tops of
Suzail. |
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Wenin
Senior Scribe
585 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2010 : 15:32:02
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This is one weird thread. I tried to reply to this yesterday and it failed.
Thanks for the info on the spell resistance. I wasn't aware that it took a standard action to lower. That is really all I needed. |
Session Reports posted at RPG Geek.
Stem the Tide Takes place in Mistledale.
Dark Curtains - Takes place in the Savage North, starting in Nesmé. I wrapped my campaign into the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, but it takes place in 1372 DR. |
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althen artren
Senior Scribe
USA
780 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2010 : 02:51:55
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Going back to Harpell for a second, he actually know how to
make them before he was epic level. So it can't bee
all that difficult despite what the DMG says in 3.x. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7970 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2010 : 07:13:53
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| A Staff of the Magi is definitely much easier to craft in 3E than in 2E. For starters, in 3E you don't need to figure out how to collect a ton of "impossible materials" ("breath of a mountain", "tears of a wargod", "bones of the moon", and such). |
[/Ayrik] |
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althen artren
Senior Scribe
USA
780 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2010 : 00:11:16
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| You would if your DM is EVIL |
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Rhewtani
Senior Scribe
USA
508 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2010 : 00:05:28
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| That's some magma, some hail, and a moon rock, right? |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2010 : 05:04:05
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As a DM, I'd say that crafting magical items would be easier and result in more powerful items if relevant materials were involved. Maybe not impossible ingredients, like Arik mentions, but still appropriate stuff. Like, for lightning-based magical items, either wood from the stump of a tree struck by natural lightning, or water gathered from that stump after a thunderstorm. For fire magic, maybe coal or sulfur, or the ashes of something destroyed by a fire elemental... And so on.
Of course, to me, all that stuff adds flavor to item crafting. I didn't like the 3E approach to magical items at all -- that's one of the few complaints I have about 3E, is that they did their best to take the wonder out of magic. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 05 Dec 2010 05:05:46 |
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Jakk
Great Reader
Canada
2165 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2010 : 03:53:30
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| I agree in part, Wooly... but my biggest complaint about 3E magic item creation was how rules-laden it became. Knowing "how" was nice, but there didn't need to be a whole rules subsystem for it; just tell us which spells are needed, and describe the physical components in more detail, if not more poetically, as you mention. I like the "impossible substances" idea too, but I'm pretty happy with the system as it exists now with Pathfinder. Maybe just because I've gotten used to it with 3.x... |
Playing in the Realms since the Old Grey Box (1987)... and *still* having fun with material published before 2008, despite the NDA'd lore.
If it's comparable in power with non-magical abilities, it's not magic. |
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Wenin
Senior Scribe
585 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2010 : 05:13:36
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I personally love the 3.5 system of Item Creation, and don't feel they went far enough to better detail the system.
It is also a system that doesn't deny a GM from having players needing to obtain rare items or recipes to create items. Though if a GM was to institute that level of detail, then they should keep in mind the amount of magic that is out there. Essentially, a +1 weapon shouldn't require much in the way of rare materials. =)
I also don't look at 3rd edition without considering the problems that existed in prior systems. |
Session Reports posted at RPG Geek.
Stem the Tide Takes place in Mistledale.
Dark Curtains - Takes place in the Savage North, starting in Nesmé. I wrapped my campaign into the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, but it takes place in 1372 DR. |
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Staff of the Magi
