Topic: spell ranks requirement and armour P.P. tax?

[johnt2k8]

A quick question.

When calculating sufficient spell ranks for casting a spell, you need a # ranks in the spell to be equal to or greater than the # of power points in the spell, including any scaling options used.  What about the additional power points expended while wearing armor?  Does the spell ranks requirement need to take into account the additional PP expended because of armor?  Or is the additional armor Power Point cost not factored into "whether or not a caster has enough ranks to cast the spell"?

Enquiring minds wanna know...

-John

[R?che]

You need a number of ranks equal to the PP cost of the spell being cast, regardless of what is increasing the PPs.

For example, a Mage with an Elemental Bolt spell would need 4 ranks to cast the base spell, if he was not scaling or wearing armor.  If he decided to scale it to a Small attack, he would need 6 ranks in the spell since it cost 6 PP to cost (4 base + 2 scaling). 

Then if he threw on a suit of soft leather if he cast the spell at Tiny, he would need 6 ranks in the spell (4 base + 2 PP cost for the armor), 8 ranks if he scaled it to Small, etc...

Then for each PP beyond the base cost he is taking a -5 to the roll as well, and the casting time extends, etc.

[johnt2k8]

Ryche,

Thanks for the excellent reply.  What source book is that from?

-J

[masque1223]

Thanks for the excellent reply.  What source book is that from?

All of that is in the corebook.

[Rasyr-Mjolnir]

HARP core rules, Page 107 -- It specifically and clearly states that a caster must have a number of ranks in the spell equal to the number of power points being used in casting the spell or else the spell will automatically fail. It also specifically mentions scaling options as well.

On page 108, under the section called "Scaling Spells", it also talks of and includes an example of scaling a spell through a scaling option and through wearing armor (thus armor is also included as a scaling option).

[johnt2k8]

Thanks, Rasyr.

-J

[Mando]

HARP core rules, Page 107 -- It specifically and clearly states that a caster must have a number of ranks in the spell equal to the number of power points being used in casting the spell or else the spell will automatically fail. It also specifically mentions scaling options as well.

On page 108, under the section called "Scaling Spells", it also talks of and includes an example of scaling a spell through a scaling option and through wearing armor (thus armor is also included as a scaling option).

Seeing how often this one gets asked, you'll have to write it three times in HARP 2.0

[Viktyr Gehrig]

Seeing how often this one gets asked, you'll have to write it three times in HARP 2.0

Nah, just once. In 36 point font.

On the front cover.

[WoeRie]

Maybe it should be put in the FAQ