Re: Legends Ancient Arcana

From: robertw@calvin.usc.edu (Robert Watkins)

Date: Sun, 02 May 1993 18:20:18 +0000

anon0293@nyx.cs.du.edu (Name withheld by request) writes:

>The spells in the rules can not be created using AA.  In
>fact you can't even get close to the level and mana values.  Just try
>to make the equiv. of a Seer's Crystal.  I bet that even if you made it
>exactly as it is in the rules (i.e - for Seer's) it would be a level 4
>spell costing around 40-45 mana points.

It seems to me that there are three different tiers of magic
in Legends.  The first tier consists of the normal spells out of Combat and
Arcane Arts.  The second tier includes the module specific Ancient Arcana
spells.  The third tier contains custom made Ancient Arcana spells.
	The first tier spells all have a excellent mana/power ratio.
The second tier spells have a good mana/power ratio; however, this is
due to their heavy reliance upon Ancient Arcane components to fuel the
mana costs that the caster need not bear.  The third tier spells
get no price breaks at all.  That is the price you pay for custom magics!
	For example, a holy symbol requires 1 silver and 5 mana.  The
second tier spells create holy symbols that surpass the standard
holy symbols from C&AA.  However, a substantial price is paid in mana
and components.  Third tier?  Forget it.  If you thought it was
ugly to make a suit of armor with +2 MAR and +2 SAR, try defining
one of the standard holy symbols!
	An example that doesn't involve item creation would be status.
The first tier spell "rite of the vampire" yields one vampire for
1 nightshade and 40 mana.  The second tier spell "rite of the vampire
lord" yields one vampire lord for 5 black crystal, 5 nightshade, and
40 mana.  Quite a good deal.  The third tier spell "Greater Werebeast
Possession" yields one greater werebeast for.. (damn, I lost it.. Jim
Griffith would probably have it somewhere) hrmm I would guess
35 mana, 10 black crystal, and 10 chaos ooze.  This last one is my
best guess.  I'll have to get the particulars from the guy who designed
the spell.

>I think that MG should either fix the AA spell generation or eliminate
>it entirely.

I like it.  AA spells are already the equivalent of tactical
nukes in Legends.  Keep the cost of custom magic high!

Rob

References

Legends Ancient Arcana
anon0293@nyx.cs.du.edu (Name withheld by request)
Sat, 01 May 1993 18:44:03 +0000