Fighting Magic.
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- AmberImmortal
- Wanderer
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Re: Fighting Magic.
In my campaign, I have taken into account the fact that mages are not combat inclined. This is stated specifically in Rifts Ultimate Edition. This is taken care of by having somebody with you at all times who is of combat/military inclination. A bodyguard, if you will. So, I'm well aware that a regular mage couldn't stand toe-toe in a fist fight with a trained soldier. But, what if he were also a trained soldier? (Mystic Study allows this, review it if you need to).
Invisibility: simple is affected by Thermographics and such. However, those aren't always issued or used. For a governmental military team it's entirely possible that they would be issued such equipment. For a paramilitary group it's very possible that they won't. After all, they may not have the kind of money they'd like. Shadow meld is not and it takes three hundred watts of light to dispel it.
You asked If Blinding Flash and Globe of Daylight would have any effect on me. Blinding flash: yes. Globe of Daylight: if I were wearing nightvision, yes. Blinding Flash is described as being like a flash bang. I'm assuming that those have a particular effect. And with nightvision goggles even lightbulbs hurt.
Before anyone else decides to argue spells, read them. Heavy Breathing has a 1-60 percent chance of making anyone who fails their save flee in terror. The soldier in question had already failed their saves against the spell Fear. So, yeah. They ran away. It's magical Horror not a haunted house.
I'm getting kind of tired of this debate. it's old now and not at all what I wanted to talk about. I wanted some Palladium mechanics and character ideas that are good for countering magic. I didn't want to debate on how or why mages and soldiers may or may not be able to take each other on. I know that threads often go off topic. This is fine. It's to be expected. However, if we could please get back to my original query, I would really appreciate it.
Invisibility: simple is affected by Thermographics and such. However, those aren't always issued or used. For a governmental military team it's entirely possible that they would be issued such equipment. For a paramilitary group it's very possible that they won't. After all, they may not have the kind of money they'd like. Shadow meld is not and it takes three hundred watts of light to dispel it.
You asked If Blinding Flash and Globe of Daylight would have any effect on me. Blinding flash: yes. Globe of Daylight: if I were wearing nightvision, yes. Blinding Flash is described as being like a flash bang. I'm assuming that those have a particular effect. And with nightvision goggles even lightbulbs hurt.
Before anyone else decides to argue spells, read them. Heavy Breathing has a 1-60 percent chance of making anyone who fails their save flee in terror. The soldier in question had already failed their saves against the spell Fear. So, yeah. They ran away. It's magical Horror not a haunted house.
I'm getting kind of tired of this debate. it's old now and not at all what I wanted to talk about. I wanted some Palladium mechanics and character ideas that are good for countering magic. I didn't want to debate on how or why mages and soldiers may or may not be able to take each other on. I know that threads often go off topic. This is fine. It's to be expected. However, if we could please get back to my original query, I would really appreciate it.
I...see your +15 to dodge and raise y-I'M THE @&*!-ING G.M!!!!
- AmberImmortal
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Re: Fighting Magic.
"Now I realize I might be poking a hornets nest here, but I am genuinely interested:
How would a militarily-trained mage affect this scenario? Most predominantly a Battle Mage, who is both Soldier and Spell Caster. But also Combat Mages or Mystic Knights, who are both trained as soldiers in addition to their mystical abilities.[/quote]
Pardon, I haven't quite mastered the art of quoting but, Disregard that last part of my previous post. the part about wanting to leave this topic alone. I'm curious now. I brought this up as well. What if said mage were also a well-trained soldier. They can have the Military Specialist education minus one skill program. That still means that they have quite a bit of military training and badassery.
(I would like to clarify, briefly, that in all my posts and counter points that I do not in any way wish to insinuate that a mage is more badass then a soldier or team of soldiers. I simply believe that mages are just as badass. I happen to like magic and it's possibilites. I'm simply stating that either side if sufficently prepared, could take out the other. It all depends on who gets the upper hand. Now if you take peanut butter (mages) and then take chocolate (soldiers) and put them together.....)
I would like to congradulate myself for a Reese's cup reference. You're welcome.
How would a militarily-trained mage affect this scenario? Most predominantly a Battle Mage, who is both Soldier and Spell Caster. But also Combat Mages or Mystic Knights, who are both trained as soldiers in addition to their mystical abilities.[/quote]
Pardon, I haven't quite mastered the art of quoting but, Disregard that last part of my previous post. the part about wanting to leave this topic alone. I'm curious now. I brought this up as well. What if said mage were also a well-trained soldier. They can have the Military Specialist education minus one skill program. That still means that they have quite a bit of military training and badassery.
(I would like to clarify, briefly, that in all my posts and counter points that I do not in any way wish to insinuate that a mage is more badass then a soldier or team of soldiers. I simply believe that mages are just as badass. I happen to like magic and it's possibilites. I'm simply stating that either side if sufficently prepared, could take out the other. It all depends on who gets the upper hand. Now if you take peanut butter (mages) and then take chocolate (soldiers) and put them together.....)
I would like to congradulate myself for a Reese's cup reference. You're welcome.
I...see your +15 to dodge and raise y-I'M THE @&*!-ING G.M!!!!
Re: Fighting Magic.
AmberImmortal wrote:None of these things will work every time. Nothing period works every time.
Some spells work every time unless you're near a nega-psychic, a psi-nullifier, or an anti-magic cloud.
My favorite example is, of course, Time Slip,but there are many others, some of which you've already mentioned (cloud of smoke, armor of ithan, etc).
--flatline
I don't care about canon answers. I'm interested in good, well-reasoned answers and, perhaps, a short discussion of how that answer is supported or contradicted by canon.
If I don't provide a book and page number, then don't assume that I'm describing canon. I'll tell you if I'm describing canon.
If I don't provide a book and page number, then don't assume that I'm describing canon. I'll tell you if I'm describing canon.
- AmberImmortal
- Wanderer
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Re: Fighting Magic.
flatline wrote:AmberImmortal wrote:None of these things will work every time. Nothing period works every time.
Some spells work every time unless you're near a nega-psychic, a psi-nullifier, or an anti-magic cloud.
My favorite example is, of course, Time Slip,but there are many others, some of which you've already mentioned (cloud of smoke, armor of ithan, etc).
--flatline
I simply meant that ones plan to use said spells isn't always going to work. Not the spells themselves. Like using cloud of smoke to make a car spin out of control on an icey road. It could work but, certainly not every time.
I...see your +15 to dodge and raise y-I'M THE @&*!-ING G.M!!!!
- AmberImmortal
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Re: Fighting Magic.
Rappanui wrote:Immobilize always works. it's an 8 ft cone of Frozen time.
Really? that's awesome.
I...see your +15 to dodge and raise y-I'M THE @&*!-ING G.M!!!!
- slade the sniper
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Re: Fighting Magic.
Magic in the Military...an analysis...
Well, looking at magic from a capability standpoint, there is not a lot that magic can offer that trumps tech in a modern world and it is comparable to late Victorian/steampunk effectiveness.
If you were going to lose a skill program, they would then gain knowledge of a few spells that directly aid their MOS/function in the military. Generally Infantry, Armor, Military Intelligence, Military Police and Combat Engineers would gain the most benefit from magic and a LOT of spells would make their job a lot easier.
The big moneymakers are things like teleport, scry, and other magic rituals and high level spells that offer capabilities for a much lower manpower cost that comparable technological solutions or utility spells that make life easier. The offensive/defensive stuff is generally not comparable in rate of fire or range, and would probably be avoided. The spells I would use as a mystic soldier would be (with the understanding they are working in a team and not playing solo cool guy wizard):
-STS
Well, looking at magic from a capability standpoint, there is not a lot that magic can offer that trumps tech in a modern world and it is comparable to late Victorian/steampunk effectiveness.
If you were going to lose a skill program, they would then gain knowledge of a few spells that directly aid their MOS/function in the military. Generally Infantry, Armor, Military Intelligence, Military Police and Combat Engineers would gain the most benefit from magic and a LOT of spells would make their job a lot easier.
The big moneymakers are things like teleport, scry, and other magic rituals and high level spells that offer capabilities for a much lower manpower cost that comparable technological solutions or utility spells that make life easier. The offensive/defensive stuff is generally not comparable in rate of fire or range, and would probably be avoided. The spells I would use as a mystic soldier would be (with the understanding they are working in a team and not playing solo cool guy wizard):
Spoiler:
-STS
My skin is not a sin - Carlos Wallace
A man's rights rest in three boxes. The ballot box, jury box and the cartridge box - Frederick Douglass
I am a firm believer that men with guns can solve any problem - Inscriptus
Any system in which the most populated areas have the most political power, creates an incentive for areas that want power to increase their population - Killer Cyborg
A man's rights rest in three boxes. The ballot box, jury box and the cartridge box - Frederick Douglass
I am a firm believer that men with guns can solve any problem - Inscriptus
Any system in which the most populated areas have the most political power, creates an incentive for areas that want power to increase their population - Killer Cyborg
- Ectoplasmic Bidet
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Re: Fighting Magic.
The single spell I believe would make the most impact on any modern military would be the 5th level Sustain, which you surprisingly left off your list.
Only 12 PPE to cast, affects the caster or two others by touch, lasts 24 hours per level, and totally negates one's need for food, water, and breathable air, while reducing the need for sleep to only 2 hours per night. So many logistical issues could be done away with. A mage dedicated solely to casting Sustain using PPE donated by the soldiers themselves could place thousands under the effect each day.
Only 12 PPE to cast, affects the caster or two others by touch, lasts 24 hours per level, and totally negates one's need for food, water, and breathable air, while reducing the need for sleep to only 2 hours per night. So many logistical issues could be done away with. A mage dedicated solely to casting Sustain using PPE donated by the soldiers themselves could place thousands under the effect each day.
- AmberImmortal
- Wanderer
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Re: Fighting Magic.
slade the sniper wrote:Magic in the Military...an analysis...
Well, looking at magic from a capability standpoint, there is not a lot that magic can offer that trumps tech in a modern world and it is comparable to late Victorian/steampunk effectiveness.
If you were going to lose a skill program, they would then gain knowledge of a few spells that directly aid their MOS/function in the military. Generally Infantry, Armor, Military Intelligence, Military Police and Combat Engineers would gain the most benefit from magic and a LOT of spells would make their job a lot easier.
The big moneymakers are things like teleport, scry, and other magic rituals and high level spells that offer capabilities for a much lower manpower cost that comparable technological solutions or utility spells that make life easier. The offensive/defensive stuff is generally not comparable in rate of fire or range, and would probably be avoided. The spells I would use as a mystic soldier would be (with the understanding they are working in a team and not playing solo cool guy wizard):Spoiler:
-STS
Slade, you just inadvertently solved, almost completely, another problem I had with my campaign. You're a rock star.
I...see your +15 to dodge and raise y-I'M THE @&*!-ING G.M!!!!
- slade the sniper
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Re: Fighting Magic.
Ectoplasmic Bidet wrote:The single spell I believe would make the most impact on any modern military would be the 5th level Sustain, which you surprisingly left off your list.
Only 12 PPE to cast, affects the caster or two others by touch, lasts 24 hours per level, and totally negates one's need for food, water, and breathable air, while reducing the need for sleep to only 2 hours per night. So many logistical issues could be done away with. A mage dedicated solely to casting Sustain using PPE donated by the soldiers themselves could place thousands under the effect each day.
I agree.
I think I ended up leaving a lot of things off the list. Was talking to the wife and packing to come home at the same time....so typing was about 4th on the list of priorities at the time. Apologies.
-STS
My skin is not a sin - Carlos Wallace
A man's rights rest in three boxes. The ballot box, jury box and the cartridge box - Frederick Douglass
I am a firm believer that men with guns can solve any problem - Inscriptus
Any system in which the most populated areas have the most political power, creates an incentive for areas that want power to increase their population - Killer Cyborg
A man's rights rest in three boxes. The ballot box, jury box and the cartridge box - Frederick Douglass
I am a firm believer that men with guns can solve any problem - Inscriptus
Any system in which the most populated areas have the most political power, creates an incentive for areas that want power to increase their population - Killer Cyborg
- AmberImmortal
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- Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2012 8:26 am
Re: Fighting Magic.
slade the sniper wrote:Ectoplasmic Bidet wrote:The single spell I believe would make the most impact on any modern military would be the 5th level Sustain, which you surprisingly left off your list.
Only 12 PPE to cast, affects the caster or two others by touch, lasts 24 hours per level, and totally negates one's need for food, water, and breathable air, while reducing the need for sleep to only 2 hours per night. So many logistical issues could be done away with. A mage dedicated solely to casting Sustain using PPE donated by the soldiers themselves could place thousands under the effect each day.
I agree.
I think I ended up leaving a lot of things off the list. Was talking to the wife and packing to come home at the same time....so typing was about 4th on the list of priorities at the time. Apologies.
-STS
That being said, your list was pretty extensive. One can't really expect you to get everything on the list.
I...see your +15 to dodge and raise y-I'M THE @&*!-ING G.M!!!!
- Sir_Spirit
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Re: Fighting Magic.
If you want to fight a mage you just use a sniper rifle, out ranges all spells.
No need for alien supertech or stuff from Rifts.
If anything magic needs to be buffed up.
No need for alien supertech or stuff from Rifts.
If anything magic needs to be buffed up.
Damn ICE/BCP/BorderPatrol! Damn everyone who won’t damn ICE/BCP/Border Patrol!! Damn everyone that won’t put lights in his windows and sit up all night damning CE/BCP/BorderPatrol!!!
If you support ICE/BCP/BorderPatrol at this point, you would have called the Gestapo on the people surreptitiously moving into your neighbor's attic and huffed that you were only following the law.
If you support ICE/BCP/BorderPatrol at this point, you would have called the Gestapo on the people surreptitiously moving into your neighbor's attic and huffed that you were only following the law.
Re: Fighting Magic.
Sir_Spirit wrote:If you want to fight a mage you just use a sniper rifle, out ranges all spells.
No need for alien supertech or stuff from Rifts.
If anything magic needs to be buffed up.
Despite having that particular weakness, I disagree that magic needs any more buffing than what RUE has already given it.
--flatline
I don't care about canon answers. I'm interested in good, well-reasoned answers and, perhaps, a short discussion of how that answer is supported or contradicted by canon.
If I don't provide a book and page number, then don't assume that I'm describing canon. I'll tell you if I'm describing canon.
If I don't provide a book and page number, then don't assume that I'm describing canon. I'll tell you if I'm describing canon.
- Daniel Stoker
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Re: Fighting Magic.
I disagree, some range would be nice... and much like psionics in HU I think Magic needs a much faster rate of recovery of power points.
Daniel Stoker
Daniel Stoker
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- say652
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Re: Fighting Magic.
control other, ex-me, ex-pe, healingfactor, energy resistance, energy absorption, teleportation(for escaping the dreaded carpet of adhesion) my answers were based around stuff that increases your bonuses to save or prevents damage in this spirit i forgot create forcefield.
Re: Fighting Magic.
say652 wrote:control other, ex-me, ex-pe, healingfactor, energy resistance, energy absorption, teleportation(for escaping the dreaded carpet of adhesion) my answers were based around stuff that increases your bonuses to save or prevents damage in this spirit i forgot create forcefield.
Ha! One of my first HU:revised characters was very similar to what you've described. Create Forcefield, Ex-ME, Ex-PE, and Healing Factor. Saved vs magic or psionics on a 2+ roll and his shields could absorb tremendous damage. He wouldn't be so effective now that HU2 makes creating a forcefield take 2 actions. That probably means you can't even parry with shields anymore. Who thought that was a good idea?
Moving on, teleportation is one of my favorite super powers, but if you want a power to negate Carpet of Adhesion, you might instead want to consider APS:Liquid.
APS:Liquid (immune to physical damage plus fast regeneration) combined with Energy Absorption or Energy Resistance makes for a very difficult target to harm meaningfully. Choosing other powers to maximize magic and psionic saves just makes it even harder.
--flatline
I don't care about canon answers. I'm interested in good, well-reasoned answers and, perhaps, a short discussion of how that answer is supported or contradicted by canon.
If I don't provide a book and page number, then don't assume that I'm describing canon. I'll tell you if I'm describing canon.
If I don't provide a book and page number, then don't assume that I'm describing canon. I'll tell you if I'm describing canon.
- AmberImmortal
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Re: Fighting Magic.
Any help at all is welcome. I'm still looking for any and all advice on the subject. This thread is a little old but, I'm still concerned with what's said on it. So thanks. I appreciate the help
I...see your +15 to dodge and raise y-I'M THE @&*!-ING G.M!!!!
- Tor
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Re: Fighting Magic.
Although except for the Shadow Beast, HU is lacking in stats for those creatures.
I'm also unclear sometimes on what that 'summon lesser being' (or whatever it was) spell does.
I'm also unclear sometimes on what that 'summon lesser being' (or whatever it was) spell does.
"1st edition? 2nd edition? It doesnt matter! Let's just talk" -Forums of the Megaverse
- AmberImmortal
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Re: Fighting Magic.
A lot of spells in HU2 are basically just run off from other palladium games. it's not really as extensive. It's also not very well thought out.in other palladium games magic is very extensive and very well thought out. It seems Heroes just got bare essentials.
I...see your +15 to dodge and raise y-I'M THE @&*!-ING G.M!!!!
- AmberImmortal
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Re: Fighting Magic.
Both rifts and nightbane have quite a few more spells though.
I...see your +15 to dodge and raise y-I'M THE @&*!-ING G.M!!!!