[UA] Master Adepts vs. New Adepts Formula Spells

[Kintaro Oe]

>Greg & John: What was the original rational for not keeping track of
>formulas on character sheets and thus allowing the entire school to be
>available? As the system is, there really is no difference between any two
>practitioners of any school.  In a combat or challenge, it's going to come
>down to who has the charges and rolls the cherries, not the training.  Why
>is that so?

Actually, I see it as coming down to who uses their charges more 
effectively (i.e. creative spell casting) and more reliably (i.e. high 
skill rating). Knowing how to use what you have is sometimes more important 
than knowing something new to use.

And personally, I really don't like the idea of spell lists (recording 
formula spells) in UA. I think that it something that really goes against 
the personal and obsessed nature of magic. When I first read the rulebook, 
I saw the formula spells as being as much of an abstraction and solely 
in-game construct as the basic 4 stats. They are the most common 
applications of the magic, the things that most people figure out how to do 
pretty quick. Effectively examples of random effects. Why are they more 
reliable and stable in charge cost? Only because the  adept is more used to 
performing them. Just like a I can ride a bike better now than when I first 
learned. They're the "standard package of competence." However, the adept 
doesn't think of them as spells or call them by a special name or anything, 
they're just things that he has learned he is able to do. 'Course I never 
really say charges as being in-game either :)

While there may not be really any _mechanical_ difference between 2 adepts, 
I think that their backgrounds and styles would make them radically 
different if you actually get into describing what the rules are simulating.


- kabael - Kintaro Oe - Derek the Guder - kabael at softhome.net - ICQ# 24193592
the McGuffin Group - the End Times - RPG Action - the Thirteenth Legion

Cabos; resonatos with thermos rather than pluto.


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