OOC spell graphical effects, should they be removed?
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AlmightyTDawg
- Githyanki
- Posts: 1349
- Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2004 12:56 am
Barkskin and Stoneskin are merely descriptive spell names and metaphors - they are not actually indications that one's skin becomes either bark or stone. For an example comparing them to one which does, contrast them with the 3.5 spell Iron Body. In both Barkskin and Stoneskin, you "gain" an ability, whether a natural armor bonus or damage reduction. In Iron Body, your body is literally transformed to living iron. There, you have the notable limitations on dexterity and movement that one would obviously expect if your body were made of stone or bark as well - effects which clearly are not in any spell description.
As for the transmutation/abjuration distinction between Barkskin and Stoneskin, I presume because skin "hardening" is the mechanism for the former while some unnatural ability governs the latter. In neither case is there a clear indication that there is a visible spell effect outside of recognizing the ineffectiveness of strikes against the character. Mostly though, by the time you can make that distinction, it's too late.
The problem is that if you start getting into questions about visible effects when they aren't specifically called out, then you open up a can of worms like whether natural armor amulets produce a change, does Bull's strength produce rippling muscles, and so on, so forth. The normal mechanism for the spookiness of magic was the simple "detect magic" or "arcane sight" to pull out the auras by school only, where you were left to guess the rest. Here in NWN, with a fairly restrictive class list, there's a little less mystery to it. I could see someone house ruling that the "toughened skin" of barkskin could be seen, but you'd be talking a short range (30 ft) and a decent Spot DC. That would be a house rule only, not something directly supported in the rules or errata I've read so far.
I voted 1). I'm sure we'd be going over particular spells later.
As for the transmutation/abjuration distinction between Barkskin and Stoneskin, I presume because skin "hardening" is the mechanism for the former while some unnatural ability governs the latter. In neither case is there a clear indication that there is a visible spell effect outside of recognizing the ineffectiveness of strikes against the character. Mostly though, by the time you can make that distinction, it's too late.
The problem is that if you start getting into questions about visible effects when they aren't specifically called out, then you open up a can of worms like whether natural armor amulets produce a change, does Bull's strength produce rippling muscles, and so on, so forth. The normal mechanism for the spookiness of magic was the simple "detect magic" or "arcane sight" to pull out the auras by school only, where you were left to guess the rest. Here in NWN, with a fairly restrictive class list, there's a little less mystery to it. I could see someone house ruling that the "toughened skin" of barkskin could be seen, but you'd be talking a short range (30 ft) and a decent Spot DC. That would be a house rule only, not something directly supported in the rules or errata I've read so far.
I voted 1). I'm sure we'd be going over particular spells later.
Turquoise bicycle shoe fins actualize radishes greenly!
Save the Charisma - Alter your reactions, even just a little, to at least one CHA-based check a day!
Quasi-retired due to law school
Past PC: Myrilis Te'fer
Save the Charisma - Alter your reactions, even just a little, to at least one CHA-based check a day!
Quasi-retired due to law school
Past PC: Myrilis Te'fer
Their visual effects are not listed anywhere I've ever seen, including FR "novels". Protection from elements isn't either, lest the description include hideous penalties to hide checks...Fionn wrote:Stoneskin, Barkskin, et al are certainly IC visual effects and should stay. True Sight, Ultravision etc are not, and should be removed.
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Valiantman
- Shambling Zombie
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2005 5:55 pm
- Location: Finland
Again, this poll is not about removing spell visual effects that are IC. This poll is about removing OOC spell visual effects. If certain spells are found to have an IC effect, we will naturally keep them.Valiantman wrote:+1Fionn wrote:Stoneskin, Barkskin, et al are certainly IC visual effects and should stay. True Sight, Ultravision etc are not, and should be removed.
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Killthorne
- Orc Champion
- Posts: 422
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 6:22 am
- Location: Saint Cloud, Minnesota
Preferably... numero uno.
I recall a tale of Artemis and Drizzt fighting once.. with Artemis enhanced with stoneskin.. Drizzt couldn't figure out why he wasn't harming Artemis when he struck because Artemis didn't look any different.
~Killthorne~
I recall a tale of Artemis and Drizzt fighting once.. with Artemis enhanced with stoneskin.. Drizzt couldn't figure out why he wasn't harming Artemis when he struck because Artemis didn't look any different.
~Killthorne~
Current PC: Ethan Greymourne, Ranger of Gwaeron Windstrom
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Grey Pilgrim
- Dire Badger
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 9:40 am
- Location: Edinburgh, UK
I used to think it looked somewhat neat.. But these days I'd rather see those effects gone. Banzor.
<GF|sleep> I'm just glad that now when I get diabetes from drinking the sweet, sweet tears of republicans I can go to a doctor ;o
<spiderjones> Actually every sink except the kitchen one is horribly clogged and shoots out blood and sometimes excrement
<spiderjones> Actually every sink except the kitchen one is horribly clogged and shoots out blood and sometimes excrement
Amen. I voted for no # 1 as well.Rick7475 wrote:As long as we still can have the cool fireball, lightning and all the nice graphics with the offensive spells.
Nothing like shooting a fireball at a party of greenies all bunched up patting each other's behinds on a job well done when BOOM! God! Numbers everywhere! Anguished tells, screaming curses, and with that lovely fiery effect to soil the pants off any paladin!
Gotta keep that.
But the rest of the barkskin prot from evil Christmas tree light show .... gotta go ....
