7 replies to this topic

[Caedwyr]

I've been having a discussion with T.G. Maestro about how the abilities of the refined Elemental Princes should be arranged and we could use a few third opinions.



For the new versions of the elemental princes, they are given additional spells and abilities they are supposed to get based on the Monsterous manual. For example, lets look at Chan


Chan can cast Whirlwind twice per day as she has always been able to.

Chan can now cast Stinking Cloud (centered on herself) twice per day
Chan can now cast Cloudkill (centered on herself) once per day
Chan can now cast Gate Elemental Minions: Air once per day
Chan can now cast Know Alignment at will, once per round
Chan can now cast Teleport without Error (like dimensional door, but no line of sight needed and larger range) at will, once per round.


The way I am proposing to organize these abilities is to place Whirlwind, Stinking Cloud, Cloudkill, and Gate Elemental Minions: Air under the spell button. Know Alignment and Teleport without Error will be placed under the innate abilities button.

The two at will abilities need to be listed as innate to allow them to recharge for fresh use each round.


Now here is the issue T.G. Maestro and I are trying to work through. He feels that all the abilities should be put under the same button (so everything is made an innate ability) to avoid confusion in the players.

But still, I think ALL of their abilities are somewhat AT WILL type abilities, and not spells. Personally I don't see the main difference between Stinking Cloud and Whirlwind at Chan. The princes use a bit different kind of magic than mortals, they simply WANT that effect to happen, and it will - because of their powers upon a specified elemental domain. That is why I say there is no reason to separate 3-5 abilities. If there would be at least a dozen, but hey.. 

I feel that the 'at will' abilities of Know Alignment and Teleport without Error are different enough that they deserve to be placed under the innate button while all the other abilities remain under the spell button. I think that way the players will quickly learn that the recharging abilities are under the innate button while the limited number of casts abilities are under the spell button. Since I don't think players have a problem with NPCs having different abilities listed under different buttons.


So readers, which would you prefer?

[Galactygon]

I wish to know about the other elemental Princes: water, fire, earth.

Like these ideas.

[Caedwyr]

The same situation exists for all the other elemental princes since the Know Alignment and Teleport without Error abilities are common to all of the Elemental Princes.

So, could you expand on your comments and say which method you would prefer for the placement of the abilities?

[Andyr]

I don't think the placing of the buttons matters. Though if you think it does, I'd suggest all innates, as they are innate spells called by the Princes?

[CamDawg]

Ditto with Andyr; all innate would make more sense though I don't think it matters much. If anything, splitting them under two buttons may cause some players to miss some of them.

[Caedwyr]

Ok the masses have spoken (both of them). All innate, the abilities will be!

[Hendryk]

Could you simplify by having the "at will" powers operate continuously, without the player having to do anything to cast them? Like the permanent invisibility in the Improved Staff of the Magi?

[Caedwyr]

Since I'm basing the 'at will' abilities off the PnP version, where they are usable once per round I'm going to keep them as they are. I think of the actions as more of a thing like someone throwing a small rock. Sure you can do it all day, but it still takes time to perform. They are abilities that can be performed with ease and done as many times as the user wants, but it still takes a conscious effort of will to use the ability.

Also, I think having a constant Know Alignment ability active would get very annoying very quickly.