WoM Point Costs


Round 2: Words of Power Discussion

Liberty's Edge

While I like the idea of Words of Power, I don't think the point costs add up correctly at this point. Case in point:

Fireball equivalent:
Target: Medium Burst (Level 3, Cost 5)
Effect: Fire Blast (Level 3, Cost 6)
Level: 3
Point cost: 11
Range: Medium
Area: 20' radius burst
Damage: 1d6/level, max. 10d6

Unfortunately, this costs more than a third level spell has available in points, 11 rather than the cap of 10; and is still not as good as a normal third level spell, Fireball.

Fireball
Level: 3
Range: Long
Area: 20' radius burst
Damage: 1d6/level, max. 10d6

Unfortunately, the same issues exist for a Lightning Bolt equivalent spell, as well. So, my thoughts on this:

First, you should be able to put together an X spell level target word and a same-level effect, and have a spell within the cost of that same level.

Now, at a glance, the point costs of the words seems to be close to being in line, so it appears to me that the level point caps are a little low. And, on looking over the spell point caps, it apperars that there is an odd bobble in the cost progression.

Current:
0: 0-3
1: 4
2: 5-7
3: 8-10
4: 11-13
5: 14-16
6: 17-20
7: 21-24
8: 25-28
9: 29-32

1st level seems to break the progression, and would, if adjusted to match the similar low levels, make same-level target and effect spells work out.

Possible (but not totally checked):
0: 0-3
1: 4-6
2: 7-9
3: 10-12
4: 13-15
5: 16-19
6: 20-23
7: 24-27
8: 28-31
9: 32-35

Also, as mentioned, having status effects separated from the damage words makes for more flexibility. At present, fotr instance, sickened is available as a stackable single word, Wrack, butis also included in certain other effect words already, like Acid Wave.

They should eother be separate words, that could be added as desired, or fully built-in to various damage effects already.

I would vote for having them as separate words, but making the cost adjustment consistent. The same cost consistency needs to be applied to damage words as well.

For example, why does Fire Blast cost 6/8 while Lightning Blast cost 7/9? Other than Lightning being available as Druid 3, and the different energy types, they are identical.

RPG Superstar 2011 Top 16

Callarek wrote:
I would vote for having them as separate words, but making the cost adjustment consistent. The same cost consistency needs to be applied to damage words as...

Once you get above a certain level, nearly every create has Fire Resistance. Flip through bestiary: it's freakishly common.

On the other hand, not everything under the sun has Lightning Resist.

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As to the rest of your post: you shouldn't be able to re-create every spell with WoP. Since this system has so much flexibility, that means it would be just flat-out better than the normal system. By having it cost a little bit more, then you're trading flexibility for power. Which is a very fair trade.

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