[RM2/RMC, RMSS/FRP] Q: Spell Mastery

[EltonJ]

Something jdale mentioned sparked a question.  I wasn't sure if it applied to RMC or RMSS.  So, does the spell mastery skill -- if sufficiently learned (Expert or above) allow complete mastery over a spell?

[katastrophe]

RMSS

Though the rules for Spell Mastery doesn't really make a lot of sense. Things like splitting spell effects and such as part of the spell casting looks cool on paper but we never really made it work right in practice.

[Spectre771]

Also RM2.

But it was never purchased by any of our players.  It allows for a bonus to spells that require concentration, maneuvers, or orientation and allowed spells to be modified beyond basic parameters.  The drawback was that it needed to be developed for each spell the caster wanted to be able to modify/enhance.  There are options allowing for similar spell groups, etc.  (RMC-II pg. 39)

For RM2, no it does not allow complete mastery over a spell, but it did make it easier to do special things, but there is always the spell failure/fumble possibility.

[jdale]

In RMSS, it's purchased per spell list rather than per spell. The RMSR just gives modifiers for changing the area, duration, and range, but School of Hard Knocks gives a much wider range of possible modifications.

In RMU, it's not a separate skill, just a maneuver based on your full bonus in the spell list, and cannot expand the effect of the spell beyond the listed parameters, but it can shape and alter the spell within those parameters.

[MisterK]

After using Spell Mastery as written and seeing it more or less unused through RM2 and RMSS, I house-ruled it. Since spell casting is now a normal skill roll for me (with spell lists having a skill bonus with the same range as other skills), I just integrate the effect changes as a difficulty modifier to the skill roll, which basically means a lower change of success. This is more important for resisted spells or attack spells, obviously, since the casting roll is also the attack roll, but even then, it can get the caster into spell failure territory more often, which is basically the kind of balance I wanted.
In short : no separate skill, no separate roll, use modifiers.

And I basically agree with JDale here : spell mastery cannot duplicate the effects of such lists as spell enhancement.