Fantasy Craft Second Printing Q&A Thread

[Krensky]

He'll be casting level 4 spells according to what?

When evaluating PC abilities, do not compare them to other PCs. Compare them to NPCs. A NPC caster has much fewer spells, often a lower skill bonus, and typically far fewer Spell Points.

[QDI]

Okay, thank you

I still find it a bit odd that, at level10, with two feats and other investments, it just helps against level 1 and 2 spells from (I-V) spellcasters and is useless in other cases. Something scaling with levels (like a malus to opponents spellcasting checks) might have been smoother.

Maybe more play (FC is globally awesome) will change my mind.

[Sletchman]

Well, the insight bonus from Basic skil mastery isn't included in your "Intimidate Bonus" (only ranks and Strength modifier) so the only way to boost your Spell Defense is Prodigal skill (more ranks) or a high Strength.

I can't see any possible reason why not.  The only reason the book has Intimidate (Str) listed as the bonus is to show that that's the attribute in question - because Intimidate normally uses Wisdom.  The book certainly doesn't say "equal to your intimdate ranks plus strength modifier" - it says Intimidate bonus, and that definitely includes feats and other benefits (magic items for one).

For what it's worth, when I played a fire ogre I was effectively immune to spells cast by Standard NPCs.

[QDI]

Well, from page 63 :

SKILL BONUS
A character’s bonus with a skill is equal to his ranks in it + modifier with the skill’s key attribute (which may be negative).

For me, it doesn't include Insight or other bonuses.

[Forcegypsy]

Unless something has changed, crafty generally uses only two terms when referring to skills. Skill rank, which is the amount of raw skill points used for the skill, and skill bonus which is skill rank plus everything else (attribute, insight, gear, magic,etc...). If they mean you to exclude any modifiers they'll call it out specifically.

[Number Three]

Except that, as QDI mentions

A character's bonus with a skill is equal to his ranks in it + his modifer with the skill’s key attribute (which may be negative).

Which... really gimps the Skill Mastery chain, IMO, reduces the effectiveness of any class ability that derives from that value, and screws with things like Team Checks, where the lowest or highest skill bonus might not be after factoring in permanent bonuses like insight and gear.  Sounds like the definition needs to be expanded, but I can't change the RAW, only the RATT.

[Krensky]

While that's definitely the rule as written, I'm inclined to think that considering how the term is used elsewhere that the intent is probably closer to taking the whole non-discretionary bonus to the roll.

Also, remember that Spell Defense from multiple sources stack and the Fire Elder is essentially an Ogre Mage. The Spell Defense element of the feat is one benefit of many, and it's up to you to make it as relevant as you like. They make great Mage Hunters (using the feat in AC) if you're willing to give up casting. That SD kicker makes a number of spells, abilities, and effects that grant SD almost an immunity.

[meadicus]

SKILL BONUS
A character’s bonus with a skill is equal to his ranks in it + modifier with the skill’s key attribute (which may be negative).

It also says on the same page that the player makes a skill check by "rolling 1d20 and adding his appropriate skill bonus" (emphasis mine). So I would certainly rule the insight bonus applies as much anywhere else that says 'skill bonus' as it does there.

[Krensky]

SKILL BONUS
A character’s bonus with a skill is equal to his ranks in it + modifier with the skill’s key attribute (which may be negative).

It also says on the same page that the player makes a skill check by "rolling 1d20 and adding his appropriate skill bonus" (emphasis mine). So I would certainly rule the insight bonus applies as much anywhere else that says 'skill bonus' as it does there.

To me, the description of Team Checks on p 66 is the most convincing that this is the case, because basing that strictly on Ranks and Attribute Bonus makes the mechanic produce wonky, counter intuitive results. So I would say that the term is misused in a lot of places, or it's supposed (like a lot of things) to be the total bonus to the roll.

[QDI]

Thank you all for your help !

Also, remember that Spell Defense from multiple sources stack.

Where did you read this information?

I've looked up the books and the internet without success...

[Coyote0273]

Even, if at level 10 I am facing a spellcaster, he will cast level 4 spells so he will have to beat a 25 Spellcasting DD if he wants to affect me (Spell Defense or not).

This also assumes he will *only* be casting level 4 spells. From experience, most characters don't only use their most powerful spells, especially with such a limited casting pool to go from.

[Coyote0273]

Thank you all for your help !

Also, remember that Spell Defense from multiple sources stack.

Where did you read this information?

I've looked up the books and the internet without success...

Unless it is specifically stated otherwise, everything in Crafty games stack. Everything.

[Antilles]

However, Spell Defense has bugger all to do with spell level, just casting DC. If an NPC is capable of casting a level 4 spell reliably, he's also able to bypass a <25 Spell Defense reliably, no matter what level spell he casts.

Also, as for Spell Defense stacking... I'm of the mind that they don't, since they to me read more like 'threat range 19-20' instead of 'increase threat range by 1', if you understand what I mean by that.

[Krensky]

Not only does pretty much anything from different sources stack, most stuff is retroactive. If you gain another +1 Int bonus, you gain another your Career Level in Skill Points. Similarly, if you take Spell Library you learn new Spells when your Lifestyle goes up. There are a few other things like that, but those are the two most people used to other d20 games miss the most.

[Krensky]

Also, as for Spell Defense stacking... I'm of the mind that they don't, since they to me read more like 'threat range 19-20' instead of 'increase threat range by 1', if you understand what I mean by that.

I do, but DR from different sources, say from a chainshirt and Fortunes of War, stack and they read the same.