Re: [RQ-Rules] Spell criticism : Transmogrify.

From: Adam Benedict Canning (dahak@dahak.free-online.co.uk)
Date: Thu 13 Dec 2001 - 18:19:19 EET


> Date: Fri, 07 Dec 2001 17:15:36 -0500
> From: Tal Meta <talmeta@optonline.net>
> Adam Benedict Canning wrote:
> >
> > A characters new stats are based on those in there original form,
> > subtract any fixed additions to the stat in the normal
> form, divide
> > the remainder by the number of dice rolled for that stat
> in the normal
> > form and multiply by the number of dice used in the new
> form, then add
> > any fixed component for the new form. Round numbers
> towards the new
> > species average for that stat. D3's count as half dice
> D4's as 2/3's
> > of a dice, D8's as 4/3 of a dice.
>
> Yuglflunccck.
>
> I don't want to do math that complex on a tax form, why
> would I want to
> do it in a game?
>
>
> I prefer Sandy's version, i.e.:
> TRANSFORM TO [species]
> Attack, Touch, Maintained
> (though some will be Exotic)
> This spell is only available to certain specialists.
> It acts like
> Shapechange (q.v.), but instead of restricting which creature is
> transformed, it dictates the species to which the target is
> transformed.

The problem with sandy's version is "Shapechange does not alter any of
the target's statistics, including SIZ. "

Which means you end up turning people into huge toads with human
levels of strength.

Unlike being a werewolf for example which actually effects your stats.

It would be simpler just to say roll for stats as per the new form,
but I wanted to retain the characters relative abilities when they
changed. Otherwise a undexterous human [compared with other humans]
could end up becoming a very dextrous cat [compared with other cats.]
And permanent Stat mods become a problem.

Note that the transform for any given instantiation of the spell are
fixed and not that bad once calculated. Though I can see your point
about some of the transforms looking scary, but that was the cost of
trying to describe the effect in as generic a form as possible.

Transmogrify Human to Lion stat effects reduce to SIZx2, DEX+6,
(STRx5/3)+12 all other stats remain the same.

If you can think of a better way of achieving my objectives I'd like
to know, but half sized lions and massive toads don't quite feel right
to me.

Adam


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