Greets,

Some contested spell formula changes are coming as soon as Valdrik, Damissak and I can get some final testing done. Likely before or on the coming weekend (Sept 6th-8th).

Contested spells include Will vs Will, Spell vs Stamina, and Spell vs Agility. This change may possibly cause mages to alter their spell casting habits when using a contested spell. Since this has the potential to be an upset to what you've gotten used to, we're revealing what stats are applicable for all contested spells.

For Spell vs Agility spells: The caster will use discipline, charisma, reflex and agility and targeted magic. The target uses reflex, agility, and evasion. Modifiers are balance of the target and how much TM/Evasion factors into the particular spell. The changes here are the addition of reflex and agility to the caster's side of the equation, and appropriate fiddling to maintain formula balance on the side of the target.

For Will(Spell) vs Will spells: The caster will use discipline, charisma, and intelligence. The target uses discipline, charisma, and intelligence. A modifier is nerve damage for both sides. Changes here include the addition of intelligence to both sides.

For Spell vs Stamina spells: The caster will use discipline, charisma, stamina and strength. The target uses stamina and strength. A modifier is current health of the target. The change here is the addition of stamina and strength to the part of the caster, and appropriate fiddling to maintain forumla balance on the side of the target.

ALL contested spells are currently and will continue to be modified by range to target (except for area spells), and by how much mana the caster puts into the spell. Both sides of the formula are otherwise equally balanced, but we are not revealing the ratios -- only which stats are used, not which is most important. Primary magic does NOT play a role except in the fact that it allows a mage to put more mana into the spell.

This will mean that individual mages, depending on how they have and want to train their stats, will tend to have a particular type of contested spell that they excel at. Likewise, there will be particular targets who may be more or less resistant to specific types of contested spells. All of the above applies equally to both critters and players.

I'm sure this was a pretty enlightening post. ;-)

Rigby

(Posted 9/4/02)