Hey all,
Please see for reference:
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/shadow-traced-c reature-cr-2
In it is a trait that lists magic as being 50% as effective if foes make a Will save for this type of creature. How does this interact if the spell being cast is a shadow illusion spell like shadow conjuration or shadow evocation where there already exists a will save to disbelieve for reduced effect?
Thanks!
Shadow-traced is third party, which might explain why its rules is a bit fussy around the edges. Unless the writer appears and explains the intention, it will be very hard to get a definitive answer.
I'd rule that even shadow conjuration and similar spells suffer the 50% risk of not being real. The template looks very powerful, for +2 CR you get four copies of the monster, and all of them can cast a spell each round. The spells you mentioned are already (supposed to be) balanced like any other spell, gaining four times as many each round would screw with the PCs big time - unless you apply the risk of being unreal.
Sorry about that, totally blew over the part where it was 3rd party material. What my original question was do the percentages "stack" or add? For example using shadow conjuration, which is only 20% as effective should the Will save be successful, will it then be 10% as effective (50% as effective as normal) if a Will save is successful when cast by a Shadow-traced creature. Thanks for the input!
Man, I am apparently not able to read properly this morning ...
After reading the template again, 10% sounds right. The creature casts shadow conjuration, and the target succeeds the will save. Then the spell is both 50% and 20% effective. And since Traced magic is supposed to be weaker than normal magic, 10% is probably the right way to go.
I had a thread about this very template a while ago. Didn't get many replies, but I thought it might interest you anyway.