So, in order to cast a specific spell, you build a Chain comprising relevant Minor or Major links. You can only cast a spell with as many links in it as you have levels (although i'm calling them Ranks).

You choose which links you know at chargen and add to them as you gain Ranks.

So, for example, to cast Deflect Missiles, you need the Air, Plant and Earth Major links.

In addition to Major links, there are Minor links, that affect the parameters of the spells - range/area of effect, duration, no of targets.

So, although there are clearly defined spell effects and a formula to cast it, you can change those effects by adding Minor Links.

To take the Deflect Missiles example above (which is a 3 link spell - you need to be Rank 3 to cast its most simple form), the caster has the Ivy Minor link, which adds 5 feet radius to the spell effects of spells that utilise the Plant Major link at Rank 2, and increases the number of targets at Rank 3.

The caster adds the Ivy link to the spell, which is now a 4 link spell (luckily, the caster is Rank 4). He has a choice of adding to AOE or number of targets. He chooses number of targets. He can deflect 2 missiles with this spell if he suceeds at a Rank 4 spellcasting check (the number of Links in the Chain).

The trick with fleshing this out is to create realistic Chains for spells effects that don't all become high-level because they comprise of multiple types of magical effect.

I've seen this somewhere...  Ars Magica perhaps? Maybe, dang I think I've lost it.

It's is however basically the core rules of HERO System power construction with 'magic like names' used in place of that's system more 'comic book' like names for the powers and their modifiers.

Quote from: gleichman;545469I've seen this somewhere...  Ars Magica perhaps? Maybe, dang I think I've lost it.

It's is however basically the core rules of HERO System power construction with 'magic like names' used in place of that's system more 'comic book' like names for the powers and their modifiers.

Yeah, Ars Magica tries to nail things down whilst still being somewhat freeform in nature.

Quote from: One Horse Town;545471Yeah, Ars Magica tries to nail things down whilst still being somewhat freeform in nature.

HERO does it while not being freeform. The cost in the work need to construct the effects is greater as a result. And the terms used in the game aren't 'magical' although one could of course change them to fit.

Quote from: One Horse Town;545471Yeah, Ars Magica tries to nail things down whilst still being somewhat freeform in nature.

I was going to say Ars Magica but it also reminds quite alot of Pathfinder's "words of power" subsystem also. I'm intrigued.

Ars Magica, GURPS Improvised Magic, Fudge's The Gramarye, etc. etc.  It's not a new concept.

Ultimately, it's just another form of effects-based point buy.  Those are always a disaster.

This doesn't sound like a Point-Buy system as much as a Skill System, you can learn other magical links as you gain in level.

The problem with this type of spell system is that you have to create a huge amount of pre-generated spells so your GMs can get a feel for the system enough to make their own.

I like the concept though Dan, do you have a rudimentary list of the links?  A system like this is usually scientific in nature, what kind of basis are you using to define the links?

Also, are you talking about adding links while casting or when creating the spell formula?

Quote from: daniel_ream;545486Ars Magica, GURPS Improvised Magic, Fudge's The Gramarye, etc. etc.  It's not a new concept.

Ultimately, it's just another form of effects-based point buy.  Those are always a disaster.

It's not point buy at all it's noun---->verb---->adjective----> and level.

If your spell's maximum number of links is capped by your Rank, it's a point buy system.  Your point budget is your Rank, and you're buying effects ("links") with it.

It's a trap. Don't fall into it.

Quote from: daniel_ream;545539If your spell's maximum number of links is capped by your Rank, it's a point buy system.  Your point budget is your Rank, and you're buying effects ("links") with it.

It's a trap. Don't fall into it.

You're quite welcome to fuck off if it doesn't interest you.

Quote from: CRKrueger;545500This doesn't sound like a Point-Buy system as much as a Skill System, you can learn other magical links as you gain in level.

The problem with this type of spell system is that you have to create a huge amount of pre-generated spells so your GMs can get a feel for the system enough to make their own.

I like the concept though Dan, do you have a rudimentary list of the links?  A system like this is usually scientific in nature, what kind of basis are you using to define the links?

Also, are you talking about adding links while casting or when creating the spell formula?

Frankly mate, replies so far have convinced me that this place is full of autistic fuckwits who can't stop from shitting themselves in public.

PM me if you're really interested. I can't be arsed anymore.

Go back to talking about people talking about stuff.

Quote from: One Horse Town;545545Frankly mate, replies so far have convinced me that this place is full of autistic fuckwits who can't stop from shitting themselves in public.

I wonder what I did wrong this this time... likely mentioning HERO... replying at all...

Quote from: gleichman;545579I wonder what I did wrong this this time... likely mentioning HERO... replying at all...

Not you, Brian. I'm aware that what i'm proposing isn't new and that it's a variation of stuff from other games.

I'm just a bit fed up with creative threads (make your own mind up whether this is creative or not) being subsumed by stuff that is basically random people talking about what other random people have said on the internet.

Well, that and threadcrapping.

Quote from: One Horse Town;545581Not you, Brian. I'm aware that what i'm proposing isn't new and that it's a variation of stuff from other games.

I'm just a bit fed up with creative threads (make your own mind up whether this is creative or not) being subsumed by stuff that is basically random people talking about what other random people have said on the internet.

Well, that and threadcrapping.

Ah. Sadly it's the nature of the medium. I can take only short exposure myself.

Let me know in PM if you're interested in HERO like structured version of your idea. If you're looking for something more free-form, I'm not really a good resource.

Quote from: One Horse Town;545581Not you, Brian. I'm aware that what i'm proposing isn't new and that it's a variation of stuff from other games.

I'm just a bit fed up with creative threads (make your own mind up whether this is creative or not) being subsumed by stuff that is basically random people talking about what other random people have said on the internet.

Well, that and threadcrapping.

I live to threadcrap, but never ever in creative threads.
Ever.
Remember the hit point thread? That marks my last attempt to post about mechanics here.