[SKILL] Spellcraft

[Alvirin]

It would be nice if spellcasters with some training in spellcraft could sense that they have entered a dead magic zone.

[Selveem]

I think it would also be nice for spellcraft attempts on spells you don't know and ones you do get bonuses to increase the gain on those spells:

For instance, I don't know flame arrow. I am fighting some Vampires with my party in a famous mansion owned by a Lich. The Vampires get frustrated and begin casting flame arrows at my party. After storming through the mansion enough times, I learn flame arrow by watching the components used, the manner in which it's casted (somatic), and the words spoken (verbal) [all with multiple successful spellcraft checks]. As I continue to use the spell, I become more adept at casting it. Being exposed to others casting the spell also increases my ability to study them doing so on successful spellcraft checks.

This would also increase the ability for teaching roleplay. Supplementing 'training' with the actual casting. That would also mean that spell circles would also aid in training. Groups of wizards who meet up and share spells - show the different ways they have learned to perform them and the like.

[Sairaven]

I do have a question, related to but not in the same thought process.

Why do fighters have spellcraft available as a skill? Honestly, I wonder at the difference between "A wizard casts an unknown spell at you. You explode in a ball of fire" and "A wizard casts fireball at you. You explode in a ball of fire."

Both have me exploding in a ball of fire. Knowing it was fireball really didn't help that much...

[Selveem]

I do have a question, related to but not in the same thought process.

Why do fighters have spellcraft available as a skill? Honestly, I wonder at the difference between "A wizard casts an unknown spell at you. You explode in a ball of fire" and "A wizard casts fireball at you. You explode in a ball of fire."

Both have me exploding in a ball of fire. Knowing it was fireball really didn't help that much...

Technically, if I see a mob is about to cast a touch-ranged spell on me, I could flee.

[Glim]

Fighters get spellcraft at a much higher level I believe because, obviously, it is not a skill natural to them.

It reflects a fighter having fought against spellcasters so much that they can match the words being spoken or the components being used to the effects.

[Sairaven]

I get that, Glim.

But my question was why do I want it? A fireball is still a ball of fiery death and pain if I know the name of it or not.

And yes, touch spells might give me a chance to interrupt him or run, but again, why would I want to learn it? I honestly can't see a point other than "I need to go learn something."

[Glim]

You might not want it. But other's might. It might be in their roleplay to have it. If you don't care to know what spell is being cast... fine, don't learn it. You don't need to know. But other people might want to.

[Oghma]

I always saw it as a language that you could learn to read and understand magic. magic.

[Glim]

That's a pretty good analogy, Oggie.

Why learn orcish? Whether they are saying JHHJEjkasheushsd or I will kill you, the effect is the same (they kill you).

Then why learn spellcraft? To know what spell they just cast on you, or cast on your friend, or cast on themselves.

Some people don't learn orcish. It's not in their roleplay. This is the same.

[Selveem]

I get that, Glim.

But my question was why do I want it? A fireball is still a ball of fiery death and pain if I know the name of it or not.

And yes, touch spells might give me a chance to interrupt him or run, but again, why would I want to learn it? I honestly can't see a point other than "I need to go learn something."

I don't know how you play your fighter, but if your warrior is especially talented and experienced, he would choose to save his bash for when that enemy is about to cast enervation instead of when he or she is about to cast burning hands.

[Glim]

It would be nice if spellcasters with some training in spellcraft could sense that they have entered a dead magic zone.

Ack, didn't address the original topic. Bad Glim!

What do you mean by a dead magic zone? A room with a no magic flag?

If you do, I dunno if this would make sense. I think some places are flagged no magic without much of an IC reason. Usually the reason is something like, the wards here are designed to prevent casting.

Also, couldn't you figure this out just by trying to cast a spell?

[Sairaven]

Does attempting to cast a spell in a dead zone wipe the spell from your memorization?

[Hviti]

No, it gives you an echo like "you cannot cast here" (not sure of the exact wording - it may vary depending on the area and builder).

[Tobias]

hmm what if wizards could use spellcraft with the right penalty checks have something in combat like +counter spell that if turned on and spellcraft made a successful check would auto cast something that would hinder or negate the effects of a spell. That would be helpful in spell duels and the like since a keen mage who can recognize a spell might be able to cast a counter spell jsut in time like someone casts fireball and another mage cast polar ray or ice storm that would render the magical flames with magical ice and render it harmless into something like faerie fog or revealing fog -chuckle-

[Glim]

I know we used to have cm +counterspell or something. I also know it was broken and disabled, I believe. Does it still exist or been fixed?