The spell-casting rules lack a vital subtype of casting action that would be composed of purely mental activity, separate from Verbal, Somatic, or Material casting. This voids possibility of psychic casters, mind-bending aberrations using their own weird magic, and creates such weirdness as Verbal components being used by Ki Powers...
Proposal:
Merge all the casting actions into a single Casting action, with Verbal, Somatic, or Material subtype applied according to specific spell or ability, with possibility of action using none of those to represent purely-mental casting.
I would expect Psychic casters will simply be able to replace all components with Mental components similar to how bards can replace all components with instrument playing.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I would expect Psychic casters will simply be able to replace all components with Mental components similar to how bards can replace all components with instrument playing.
Yeah, except there is no Psychic component (Mental is a trait that replaced old mind-affecting descriptor). This is what I am complaining about and propose a streamlining.
| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
I don't see what the problem is? There not being purely mental casting actions now doesn't mean there can't be later. And they shouldn't waste pages in a core rulebook on things nothing in the core rulebook can actually use.
I would expect Psychic casters will simply be able to replace all components with Mental components similar to how bards can replace all components with instrument playing.
The problem here is that Material and Somatic have the Manipulate Trait (and Verbal does not).
I am sure when the Psionics Splat book comes out there will be some casters that can replace certain casting actions with Concentrate actions or some such.
Also, I am willing to bet some Psionic stuff will still require the occaisional meditative chant (verbal), kata (somatic) or psicrystal (material) components to get off certain effects.
It wont break the action economy either way.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I don't see what the problem is? There not being purely mental casting actions now doesn't mean there can't be later. And they shouldn't waste pages in a core rulebook on things nothing in the core rulebook can actually use.
With all the casting actions merged into one and subtypes applied it could take as much space as the current description of three separate actions.
And it isn't future issue, as it would affect things such as Silent Spell, Still Spell, and monk's Ki Powers in the core rulebook. Having silent monk who has to speak to use his meditative powers is just wrong.
I don't see what the problem is? There not being purely mental casting actions now doesn't mean there can't be later. And they shouldn't waste pages in a core rulebook on things nothing in the core rulebook can actually use.With all the casting actions merged into one and subtypes applied it could take as much space as the current description of three separate actions.
And it isn't future issue, as it would affect things such as Silent Spell, Still Spell, and monk's Ki Powers in the core rulebook. Having silent monk who has to speak to use his meditative powers is just wrong.
Kiai involves breath control and shouting. Verbal component seems appropriate. It doesn't have to be words and usually isn't.
Kiai involves breath control and shouting. Verbal component seems appropriate. It doesn't have to be words and usually isn't.I don't see what the problem is? There not being purely mental casting actions now doesn't mean there can't be later. And they shouldn't waste pages in a core rulebook on things nothing in the core rulebook can actually use.With all the casting actions merged into one and subtypes applied it could take as much space as the current description of three separate actions.
And it isn't future issue, as it would affect things such as Silent Spell, Still Spell, and monk's Ki Powers in the core rulebook. Having silent monk who has to speak to use his meditative powers is just wrong.
Incorrect. From the description of Verbal Casting action:
"In a loud and strong voice, you vocalize words of
power, providing a verbal component for a spell."
Vocalize words. Explicitly.
And you completely ignore the surrounding mechanics — Verbal Casting action has auditory trait which means that silence and similar effects will shut it down, which should not affect monks.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Little do you know that "HA!" and "HOO!" are actually words of power. ;P