griping about magic

[samagee]

Balancing a game is for those who can not think, and want everything the same bland flavor.

Opinions are one thing, insults another. I see something I think is broken, I fix it. The majority of people responding to it have had favorable opinions, so I think my work fills a need. Otherwise I wouldn't bother- there is no point to writing without an audience. Besides it's not like you are throwing down your hard earned money to get it- it's free. You don't like it- there are about a billion other topics to read here and elsewhere as well.

And there is also the fact I could care less about your opinion of me or anyone else's. Truly. You say I can't think hmm? Let's see some of your work then.....

I have played many strategy games over the years. They start dieing out as soon as the developers give in to the cries of the unimaginative and put in "balance."

 

[Raven Blackwell]

Well, this isn't a stragtegy game- it's a role playing game. And I've played roleplaying games for a very long time and enjoyed the time where house rules and other player's idea were more freely shared in print, fanzines and the Internet. You're entitled to your opinion that change of any form is bad whereas I am entitled to my opinion that there is always room for improvement. I am not however going to get into a pissing contest about how making house rules available to other is 'ruining' the game. I am not paid by Mongoose Corporation and my rules are not official. They're house rules that I offer free of charge and not without personal expediture of my money and time. So exactly what is the problem? Nothing I do will alter the official Sorcery system- IMHO the Mongoose staff would likely rather eat shattered glass than publish anything by me. I merely saw potential within the Power Point based system I wished to explore. If this disturbs you don't read any of the topics created me. But don't call me names please. That's not criticism, that just being childish. You want to debate something on an intellectual or creative point that's one thing or provide constructive criticism I am willing to talk. I've already shut down three topics on this board from prior rancorous debate. I am trying to avoid doing so again- it's gets tiresome after a while and isn't as fun as sharing information or experience. You want to pick a fight- go elsewhere. I've grown up a bit.....

 

[Krushnak]

i have to agree with samagee that over balancing does tend to ruin a game, not everything is supposed to be balance, not all the pc's are meant to be evenly balanced. not all monsters or gear or items are meant to be balanced. it just makes it seem alot more realistic that way. if your players want it then fine, but from my experience if you balance everything out too much it tends to detract from the whole roleplay experience where even though that other players character might have better stats, better skills, better magical ability and better combat prowess you can still make a much more enjoyable and fun character that will achieve more in the end.

besides conan isnt supposed to be balanced, the magic is supposed to be widely varied and in some cases completely overpowered but thats the point. it's not for everyone but its what i personally find to be the most enjoyable.

 

[DourDeadlyPuritan]

samagee is just being a jerk.

 

[Sutek]

I've grown up a bit.....

Then stop perpetuating the argument. (lol) It sounds more like you're whining, and it's just feeding the trolls.

Look guys, I'll say it again: I'm not a huge fan of changing the rules, and by virtue of that, I'm not a big fan of Raven's altered magic rules. But you know what? They're well written and complete and very thurough, and like she said...

...whata you got?

I will say that "ballanced" never equals "good", but it can equal "more playable". If the mechanic is lop-sided at any stage then the fun gets bled out after that point real fast. Take the current White Wolf crap-line. They tried to make it one single holistic universe and it stinks. Not only that, but they tried to "even out" Vampiric clans and it turned out diluted instead for being a "more level playing field".

Conan is deliberate un-even. Hand to hand badasses rule the roost, right up until a high level scholar enters the room. It's supposed to be that way because that's the world that the Mongoose staff are trying to best emulate: Robert E Howard's Hyboria. If you want to play a spell caster in this game, expect to suck, because it's a lot harder to play it as evil as you need to to excell as a socerer.

I'd go one step further to advocate for Raven here by saying that she isn't trying to ballance anything. She's just tuned her dial a little bit to the left and gotten a different signal. Using the attitude and foundation of the Mongoose Conan magic system, she's spun one of her own that has the feel she'd rather see. Seriously, read some of her spells...there's no attempt to "ballance".

lol

 

[Spectator]

As for balanced, I was just hoping for some of the fear that I had read Sorcerors had; for example in the Seers of Yimsha book Khemsa was a very bad-a$$ hypnotist, he made some low level mook impale himself on his spear, pull a 'gelid bones' on some dude, and was going to take over the world in short order with his hot little Vendhyan companion.


As for Spellcasters, Khemsa was pretty potent even if he did not do a lot of flashy spells or necromancy or demon worshipping (I suppose his Master of Yimsha could be considered a demon, so strike that last part!).

I would just like to see more of that kind of stuff and not worry about 'ranged touch attacks' yada, yada, yada...

Also could you consider some serious hypnotic acts as being able to recoup power points , such as domination, enslave, etc......

 

[Sutek]

You could, but I wouldn't. The feat Opportunistic sacrifice with some really good Hypnosis spells would work just like you describe, even without the demon.

It's low level Sorcerers that are lousey. 12th and higher, with all the right feats...man...nasty...

 

[Raven Blackwell]

I've grown up a bit.....

Then stop perpetuating the argument. (lol) It sounds more like you're whining, and it's just feeding the trolls.

Sutek- for me growing up means not trying to kill my critics......8)

 

[Sutek]

You're relentless. :roll:

 

[Raven Blackwell]

And proud of it.....

 

[Sutek]

LOL

 

[TheGreenMan]

It's low level Sorcerers that are lousey. 12th and higher, with all the right feats...man...nasty...

Even under 12th level Sorcerers can be...... nasty

Just ask anyone who has been thrown into the air a 100 feet.

Plenty of time on the way down to think how much it is going to hurt.