Topic: Directed spells with no hands.

[Nders]

How Sound you guys go about using directed spells with no arms or hands?

[Old Man]

How Sound you guys go about using directed spells with no arms or hands?

For 2nd Ed, if the caster makes the 30 ESF roll for "no free hand" (10 if a mentalist, see 10.9.2) - which in my case would be rolls 31+ on the dice, then I resolve the Directed Spells roll normally.

Regards,
Old Man

[rdanhenry]

But the bolt spells are specifically shot from the palm of the hand. It isn't just a matter of not having a hand in use for spell-casting, you'd need to change the actual effect of the spell.

[yammahoper]

light spell master mnv.  indirect casting is sheer folly for flank, absurd for rear imo.

[Cory Magel]

For the casting of the spell I'd say the normal 'no hands' penalty, but as rdan says... if you can't direct (point) where you want the attack to go it's just not gonna happen without something like spell manipulation.

[VladD]

Spell master the bolt coming straight from your eye...

[Ecthelion]

Spell master the bolt coming straight from your eye...

Spell Mastery is IMO indeed the skill to use in such a case.

[munchy]

There is a spell in RMCIV (individual spells) that allows you to shoot bolts from your eyes. It uses (part of) the perception skill bonus instead of the directed spell bonus for the elemental bolt attack roll.
"It" is called "Eye Targetting" (20th level: half skill bonus) and "True Eye Targetting" (30th level: full skill bonus) and can be found at page 74.

[Nders]

It's for RMU. I was thinking penalties for no hands and then a penalty to spellmaster it Into comming from the mouth or eyes. But what about the directed spell artacin roll? How big should the penalty be for that? The accomulated penalties for spell mastery and no hands perhaps?

[Cory Magel]

Well, if the spell mastery roll re-assigns the means of which you 'throw' the bolt I don't think you'd have an OB penalty.  The casting itself would just be that much harder.

Man, this gives me some ideas for setting people up... you wait until someone points at your target, use a no hands casting and spell mastery it so it's thrown from elsewhere (i.e. stand behind the person pointing at your target).

[Old Man]

But the bolt spells are specifically shot from the palm of the hand. It isn't just a matter of not having a hand in use for spell-casting, you'd need to change the actual effect of the spell.

Or take the ESF penalty to summon the bolt and direct it with nose/stump/etc. I didn't really see another spell or spell mastery as necessary (possibly overkill). YMMV

[Lord Garth]

How Sound you guys go about using directed spells with no arms or hands?

Well, it really, really depends on WHY the player would want to do that. If it was a one-time only thing, group tied up by a bunch of pirates or something of the such, I'd go Spell Mastery, increase the number or rounds required to do so or something of the such. Otherwise, say the mage wants to carry a shield and a rapier, no. You need at least a hand to use directed spells. Can you cast it? Well, there's ESF penalties for it. But can you throw the bolt? Not according to the spell description.

[GrumpyOldFart]

Otherwise, say the mage wants to carry a shield and a rapier, no.

I might even allow that one... but I'd point out that even in "triad" spells, where it's actually all a single action, the spellcaster suffers from splitting his attention multiple ways. So sure, if you want to cast a spell with the "point of focus" as your eye, or the tip of your nose, or whatever... yeah, you can.... but the rapier and shield aren't really any help for purposes of defense while you're doing so, you'll be counted as stunned and unable to parry for purposes of combat while you're casting it.

And you still have to commit to extra skills, like Spell Mastery, in order to get even that much.

[Nders]

The character that made me start pondering has had both arms and legs amputated by evil advesaries.

[yammahoper]

All things considered, if he survived having his arms and legs removed, he should retire   

[GrumpyOldFart]

Maybe he's going adventuring to make enough money to get them put back. 

[markc]

A PC who has his arms and legs amputated is called ... ... ... ... Bate.


MDC

[yammahoper]

Maybe he's going adventuring to make enough money to get them put back. 

No, no.  Having the coin BEFORE risking life and limb is the best approach.  Don't want to get caught hoping for a, uh...handout.  Layhealers charge a lot for four animated limbs, and artist charge a great deal to carve them, not to mention the paint job.  Can a limb act as rune paper? 

[markc]

Limb = rune paper, IMHO no but weapon/battle/armor/short term runes I am ok with.
MDC

[Cory Magel]

A PC who has his arms and legs amputated is called ... ... ... ... Bate.
MDC

Isn't it "Matt"?