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Author Topic: Curious about WoT magic system
kengar
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Member # 91451



posted March 26, 2003 10:38 AM      Profile for kengar      Edit/Delete Post
I was wondering if anyone could give me a basic explanation of how the magic system works in the game? I understand that you can only channel so many weaves in a day and that the weaves use different elements. I am still a little confused about how the elements work from caster to caster. Can everyone use all the elements equally? Or are some folks better at some v. other elements? I'd love to see a sample weave description, too (my hobby shop doesn't have any copies of WoT in stock for me to look at, so I'm trying to get more info before deciding whether to buy). Thanks.
From: Maryland | Registered: Jun 2002  |  IP: Logged
LuciusT
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Member # 4474


posted March 26, 2003 11:06 AM      Profile for LuciusT      Edit/Delete Post
Individual proficiency with the elements is represented by "Affinities." Each channeler (caster) starts play with one Affinity. Extra Affinity is feat whose effects should be obvious. [Smile]

Each weave has a specific set of associtated Affinities (for instance the Affinities for Fireball are Fire and Air). If a channeler has one of the Affinities associated with a weave, she can cast it at it's listed level. If the channeler has all the Affinities associated with a weave, she casts it using a slot one level lower than the weaves level. If the channeler has none of the Affinities, she casts it using a slot one level higher than the weaves level.

From: Lafayette IN | Registered: Mar 2001  |  IP: Logged
skyman
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Member # 133451



posted March 26, 2003 04:23 PM      Profile for skyman      Edit/Delete Post
The channeling system is a lot like magic in dnd but much more open... and cooler in my opinion. It more accurately reflects the common theme in almost all fantasy magic systems: more power put in equals more power coming out. For example, in dnd there might be a spell that creates a gust of wind. All that increases with level is probably the range. In WoT I could cast the weave at level 0 for a slight gust, or level 9 for a devastating hurricane! Here's a sample weave:

FIREBALL (Air, Fire) (Common)
Level:2-6
Casting time:1 action
Range:Medium (100 ft + 10 ft/level)
Area:See text
Duration:Instantaneous
Saving throw:Reflex half
Weave resistance:Yes

You conjure a ball of fire, which speeds from your hand to detonate with a low roar. (etc.)

Casting level 2
Burst radius 5 ft
Damage 2d6+level

Casting level 3
Burst radius 10 ft
Damage 3d6+level
(etc, etc)

Anyway, I really recommend the game. I've had more fun with it than I ever did with dnd (but then, I am a Wheel of Time fanatic). Good luck! [Big Grin]

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"Death comes sooner or later to everyone unless they serve the Dark One, and only fools are willing to pay that price."
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From: Olympia, WA | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged
Sharn_Penndroen
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posted March 26, 2003 04:36 PM      Profile for Sharn_Penndroen   Email Sharn_Penndroen    Edit/Delete Post
Another advantage to the weave system is that there is no Spell Memorization. It is not necessary for a channeler to carry around a book and to memorize and then rest to be able to channel (cast) the weave.

This makes for very flexible "spell casters". I like it and find it very fun and easy to understand and use.

Buy it Man. [Bounce]

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A man who will not die to save a woman is no man. - Shienaran Saying

The Light shine on you, and the Creator shelter you. The last embrace of the mother welcome you home. - Shienaran Funeral Ceremony

From: Brookhaven, MS | Registered: May 2002  |  IP: Logged
Xythlord
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posted March 26, 2003 04:53 PM      Profile for Xythlord   Email Xythlord    Edit/Delete Post
And a couple last things. First, Male channelers (read casters) are profficient in the affinities of Earth, Fire, and Spirit. While Female channelers are proficient in Air, Water, and Spirit. A channeler must choose from these three Affinities, until she has all three and then may gain (from feats) those of the other gender.

Second, a channeler who wishes to cast a weave at a higher level than he or she is currently capable of doing (say a 4th level weave when the maximum she can normally cast is 2nd level), may attempt to Overchannel up to 3 levels higher than she can normally cast with a successful Concentration skill check. This adds even more flexibility to the "magic" system of Wheel of Time.

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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

From: Denver, Co | Registered: Mar 2002  |  IP: Logged
JosephKell
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Member # 99447


posted March 26, 2003 08:37 PM      Profile for JosephKell   Email JosephKell    Edit/Delete Post
quote:
Originally posted by Sharn_Penndroen:
Another advantage to the weave system is that there is no Spell Memorization. It is not necessary for a channeler to carry around a book and to memorize and then rest to be able to channel (cast) the weave.

This makes for very flexible "spell casters". I like it and find it very fun and easy to understand and use.

Buy it Man. [Bounce]

Sorcerers didn't use Spellboks (BURN THE WIZARDS [not the WotC]!)

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From: California | Registered: Aug 2002  |  IP: Logged
Sophiathegreen
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Member # 136464


posted April 14, 2003 06:44 AM      Profile for Sophiathegreen   Email Sophiathegreen    Edit/Delete Post
quote:
Originally posted by JosephKell:
quote:
Originally posted by Sharn_Penndroen:
Another advantage to the weave system is that there is no Spell Memorization. It is not necessary for a channeler to carry around a book and to memorize and then rest to be able to channel (cast) the weave.

This makes for very flexible "spell casters". I like it and find it very fun and easy to understand and use.

Buy it Man. [Bounce]

Sorcerers didn't use Spellboks (BURN THE WIZARDS [not the WotC]!)

Alot of other system donot ask you to memorize spells ahead of time. C&S only have you make than memory check on certain very complex spells and all
hight level spells to see it you memorize the correct way to cast it in combat or when under pessure. Most time if you are cast than complex spell in normal cirtian just have your book of spells mean you donot need to make than memory check.

From: El Pase Texas | Registered: Apr 2003  |  IP: Logged


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