Most Effective Begining magic

[ThatGuy]

Is it just me, or are the 6 pts of common magic a begining char gets best spent (strictly battle wise) on: Protection 2 (because armor just isn't enough), Multimissle 2 (a deadly attack on any enemy and an effective number thinner before close quarters combat), and Frostbite (quick, effective softener of enemy hit locations, especially if they are heavily armoured- Unavailable to Civilized cultures though).

Bladesharp or Bludgeon- battlewise as well and Fate for all things non-battle oriented (which is a considerable amount in my games).

Heal of course is a heavy pick, but I would take protection first to keep from getting hurt as opposed to burning CAs healing myself 2 points only to be bashed again immediately afterward.

Obviously the Divine and Sorcerey magics are far more potent, but for begining PCs with just Common magic the Protection/MultiM/Frostbite combo seems to be the most effective.

Anybody else have good effective combos they are seeing in action?

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

Depends on regional culture... I wouldn't allow a completely free pick by players in any case. It's limited by societal type, religion and even geography.

Any Malki-coast city-dweller that picked 'Frostbite' is going to get a "no" from me... unless they can think of a staggeringly good rationale.

 

[ThatGuy]

So then the argument: "I don't like the cold, I figure my enemies won't like it either" won't fly with you...

I agree with your point completely, and I would even extend it to personal character traits (what is a Merchant doing with a frostbite spell?). But still, taking that into consideration have you seen any surprisingly effective early builds?

And that Malki-city-dweler ought to be civilized and allowed nowhere near a frostbite spell, reason or no.

 

[Deleriad]

Protection is good in nearly all cases however do note that it's now only castable on yourself. In some cases, especially if you plan to stay out of close combat, you might be better off with Healing 2 to help support your friends.

Countermagic is also far, far more important than it ever was. It can save you against a lazy sorcerer who doesn't bump up their Magnitude. Even after that, the threat of it forces a sorcerer to spend MPs, CAs and Manipulation on Magnitude, meaning that they can cast fewer spells and with fewer options.

Coordination can also make the difference between 2CAs a round and 3 CAs.

Disruption can sometimes be more useful than Frostbite because there's a chance of hitting the same location twice. Befuddle is however still probably the most useful offensive spell.

Multimissile can quickly become useless against well-armoured opponents. Anyone with 4 pts of armour and 2 points of Protection is better dealt with through speedart.

So combinations are somewhat role dependent. For a close combat fighter I would choose a weapon enhancer, protection and countermagic shield.

For an archer I would have both speedart and multimissile and one from Befuddle/Frostbite/Disruption or Countermagic (to bring down protection).

For a support specialist, Countermagic, Healing and Demoralise.

For ranged magic attacker, Frostbite, Skybolt and Disruption. Frostbite generically weakens meaning that Skybolts and Disruptions have a far better chance of causing a serious wound.

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

And that Malki-city-dweler ought to be civilized and allowed nowhere near a frostbite spell, reason or no.

Not necessarily — there are some Umathing tribes that have cities and towns... the Huamaz for example. They are an example of a group of Orlanthi urbanites.

 

[Dal Thrax]

Depends on regional culture... I wouldn't allow a completely free pick by players in any case. It's limited by societal type, religion and even geography.

Any Malki-coast city-dweller that picked 'Frostbite' is going to get a "no" from me... unless they can think of a staggeringly good rationale.

Seems a good spell to produce ice for storing food tbh.

 

[ThatGuy]

"Orlanthi urbanites"
I absolutely love this term. I think some of the players in my group might actually start a tavern brawl if someone used the term to apply to them, but I love it.
And you are also absolutely right.
Still, the next time I want to pick a fight with them, the guy at the bar might say: "Hey! Lookee over 'ere! A bunch of Orlanthi Urbanites!"...
Of course that guy would quickly be struck by lightning, thunder clapped deaf, or just knocked the *$#@ out, but it would be fun![/quote]

 

[Blackyinkin]

Hi,

The 2nd Age book contains the cultural common magics for each region in some detail.

Simon

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

"Orlanthi urbanites"
I absolutely love this term. I think some of the players in my group might actually start a tavern brawl if someone used the term to apply to them, but I love it.
And you are also absolutely right.
Still, the next time I want to pick a fight with them, the guy at the bar might say: "Hey! Lookee over 'ere! A bunch of Orlanthi Urbanites!"...
Of course that guy would quickly be struck by lightning, thunder clapped deaf, or just knocked the *$#@ out, but it would be fun!

Of course, as Umathings they worship "Tyloque Storm Wind" and his other incarnations such as "Tyloque the Wanderer" and his wife Aloral, The Sow Goddess... but still are Orlanthi.

A lot of Umathings (and most tribes live up the river valleys) would likely regard such chest-thumping as a bit too "macho" (something to hide?)... besides what would the Aldryami think next year?

 

[Blackyinkin]

Hi,

The Umathings are during the second age a bunch of real messed up guys. Firstly they were transplanted in the First Age as a Waertagi experiment. Thet were then conquered by the Jrusteli/Seshnelans and enslaved by the God Learners who forced them to worship False Gods such as Ehilm and Worlath. The Umathings already had a peculiar take on Orlanthi worship (they are ancient Wenelians after all) which included gods and spirits unheard of elsewhere. These were then absolutely plundered by the Jrustelans scholars seeking weaknesses in the mythology of the Storm Tribe. These guys are just about clinging on to their faith at the moment (and Orlanth only knows what it is they are worshipping) they are the ultimate misapplied worshippers. They venerate False Gods, they summon strange woodland spirits and follow a pantheon of broken gods, pigs and warped storms. I think if there was a ever a culture that had access to lots of common magic from lots of sources then the Umathings are them.

One other point is that there are sources of cold in Pamaltela, namely the Mari Mountains. So having magic from that source would be a great background story for a character, stolen troll magics??

Simon

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

I didn't say anything about the Imperial Age... I'm actually just using published 3rd Age material (of which there is quite a bit, but widely spread out).

However, what you say is perfectly true, and Valind is certainly worshipped occasionally. So, yes there is indeed a source for cold magics (the Kallima tribe along the Dunstarth/Durnstath River being closest to the Tarmo Mountains... but they are Aldryami dominated and subject to elf control).

 

[Blackyinkin]

Hi,

Have you spoken to Dave Dunham, we worked for a long time on our Fonrit/Umathela book "Under the Lash" which sadly never saw print. I think I may have some bits and pieces that would be of interest to you if you want to PM me, scenario hooks etc.

Simon

 

[simonh]

I don't have a copy of MRQ II yet but this discussion mroe than most is reasuring that it's worth looking at. The fact that there is no single best combination of starting magic implies ballanced and flexible game system, can't wait to get my hands on it.

Simon Hibbs

 

[kintire]

Any Malki-coast city-dweller that picked 'Frostbite' is going to get a "no" from me... unless they can think of a staggeringly good rationale.

"Would sir like some ice with his sherbert?"

 

[ThatGuy]

Any Malki-coast city-dweller that picked 'Frostbite' is going to get a "no" from me... unless they can think of a staggeringly good rationale.

"Would sir like some ice with his sherbert?"

Good one :wink:
You'd get Frostbite for the belly laugh in my game.

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

No he wouldn't (and didn't)... it's far too "...Adfadjanni"!!!

 

[Blackyinkin]

Hi,

Hmmm an Afadjanni, so nice to here someone exploring this area. Have you got Missing Lands and Enclosure 2? Some great stuff in there, it makes me wish I had published Under the Lash. BTW Munchkin I haven't forgotten your stuff.

Simon

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

Oh yes I have those, stuff from 'Heroes' magazine and sheds more... I even have a copy of Sandy Peterson's Pamaltelan campaign log. I pretty much have everything put out on Pamaltela, in some shape or form.

As I mentioned, there is a lot of Pamaltelan material—it's just spread about, here-there-and-everywhere.

Luckily the stuff I cooked up for my 3rd Age Umathelan campaign is not too far of the mark as regards the new 2nd Age book. I think I just assumed that by the 3rd Age the riverine Umathings would have crawled up culturally to the level of "barbarians"... perhaps too generous in thinking that.

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

...Blackyinkin PM me with your e-mail, although I have not done much Gloranthan stuff, I have found a few Krarshtkid drawings that I did about 20-15 years ago that you might like.