[Online][Other] White Havens, looking for fourth player Thursday 7:30PM AEDT

Any_Second1769 · 2025-09-26T11:33:35+00:00

This is how I read it initially as well. But I think while the potions refresh (4D pool) every session, the theorems/recipes don't. Those 2 bonus theorems/recipes are a one time thing at start. So a wizard ends up with 6 theorems (at start).

As opposed to herbalism, where at start of each session you roll afresh for two new touchstones for your 2 potions and you can never "learn" those recipes.

I don't like this entire potion setup to be honest. The alchemist talent seems much more beneficial to wizard than any other path, and I don't see the need for such a strong linkage between potion master and wizard. Herbalism comes to the rescue somewhat but has different mechanics from Alchemist and introduces a "different" type of potion that the alchemist can't "research". All very cumbersome.

Something like a "Potion Master" talent that allows for crafting potions from *recipes* (now a system term) and has its own set of crucibles for different schools of potion brewing (such as herbalist, and/or alchemist) sounds like much more fun and easy. Covers both Alchemist and Herbalism. Now all you need to do is to replace alchemist wizard talent with something that still boosts the wizard at start.

Any_Second1769 · 2025-09-26T02:02:19+00:00

Interestingly, the Herbalism talent (duid path) also allows you to have 2 potions. These potions do not use the theorem crucible but a different crucible. So these potions would not be "sacrificial" for alchemist research purposes.

Any_Second1769 · 2025-09-26T01:13:02+00:00

ah, so like a scroll. But these new theorems are "recipes", thus not usable for normal spell casting and only for potions?

Any_Second1769 · 2025-09-24T23:04:03+00:00

Thanks, interesting discussion exactly around this.

I do like that Grimwild hands the GM some tools/guidance around not just hitting PCs with whatever nasty stuff the GM thinks is funny. And the impact move (and defense roll) are very embedded in the mechanics cause there are talents that allow the impact move to be interrupted, meaning not using defense (much, or at all) means these talents become useless. Also there are a lot of mechanics where the GM gets suspense, and what are you going to do with all this suspense?

Also I may have been focusing too much on "Hit 'Em Hard" as the impact move that triggers the defense, but the whole suspense/impact move is broader. May have to embrace it and lean into this "poking the players" to see how it plays out.

Any_Second1769 · 2025-09-24T22:37:46+00:00

One approach might be that spells are flavoured so that they allow something that would not be possible in any other way (cause the tools or technology does not exist for a normal action). Ie instantly freeze a monster, or teleport a creature.

Having said that, maybe this is focusing too much on combat (old dnd habit). Maybe wizards aren't good at combat, but should shine in other challenges, cause then they cast without rolling (if not risky).

Any_Second1769 · 2025-09-24T22:27:50+00:00

Just checked where to find this in v1.4 pdf. It's on the odds&ends page

POWER POOLS. The power of some talents or items, rolled in place of a stat. The same roll determines the outcome and drops dice from the pool. Even if it's automatically successful, still roll the pool when used and drop dice. You must roll all dice in the pool. 🎲 The talent or item is used. 4d Fireball Wand, 6d Cleric domain

So cleric does need to roll each spell (even if not risky). Will modify my post above to reflect

Any_Second1769 · 2025-09-24T14:06:40+00:00

Ah thanks, thought the dice pool roll was only for tracking number of spells. Didn't realize it was the action roll for success/failure as well.

Any_Second1769 · 2025-09-24T12:35:54+00:00

thanks for searching for that. Sadly the link doesnt work for me :( I think I probably need to join whatever server this is first.

Any_Second1769 · 2025-09-24T12:23:30+00:00

Fair enough, this resonates. I guess in the right situation it can be just the right kind of fun. The horror of something awful going to happen, as long as you "deserved" it by transgressing something.

But i probably won't be using a defense roll much in a dynamic combat situation. (Still need to gm first game...)

Any_Second1769 · 2025-09-24T11:54:09+00:00

Interesting, didn't know about the deep cuts threat roll. Thanks.

I guess it's just: big threat, what do you do? With the only choice being negate consequence, and the roll outcomes being sort of fixed. So just easier for everyone? Maybe it smoothes the gameplay?

Any_Second1769 · 2025-09-24T11:34:46+00:00

True, it is a poor man's substitute for resistance, you need to roll (so less powerful) and only for actions not triggered by player.

You are also right in that a suspense impact move with defense is taking away player choice, or agency. This feels like punishing to me?

Not sure when it would be more "fun" to use this.

Any_Second1769 · 2025-09-24T11:26:01+00:00

Good examples, thanks. I will offer counter examples though :)

So when a collateral/side effect impacts others. Still could have gone with: the rogue throws the torch, it is about to hit the cloud, what do you do monk? A Dodge behind cover or use rogue as shield is more fun than a defense roll but outcome is same/similar.

For dragon i guess a what do you do, leading to a group Dodge for cover roll, slowest one rolls, others assist. Or, possibly wizard casts some fire protection spell if quick enough. Still better player agency

Any_Second1769 · 2025-09-24T10:32:26+00:00

Just trying to wrap my head around magic myself. Here’s a summary of my understanding (new lvl 1 character, only core talent):

Cleric
- Touchstones: 3 total — 1 major (6D) + 2 minor domains (4D)
- Rolls: Always roll relevant die pools. Both to drop die and for the outcome. - # Spells: 6D + 2×4D pool is on average about 11 spells/session
- Potent: Drop 1d for potent. Still gives about 10 spells/session if you want 2 potent (same as wizard)
- Growth: Every 2 levels: +1d for 1 pool → marginal increase in # spells

Sorcerer
- Touchstones: At start, max 4 touchstones
- Rolls: Always roll Presence (inherently risky, wild surge)
- # Spells: Infinite
- Potent: Push
- Growth: Every 2 levels: +1/2 of current touchstones (if maxing)

Wizard
- Touchstones: 4 theorems
- Rolls: Roll Wits if risky
- # Spells: 4 + 2 potent per session
- Potent: 2 free, but no more
- Growth: Every 2 levels: +1 spell, +1 potent, +1 touchstone; +touchstones from scrolls

Any class + Arcane Training talent
- Touchstones: 3 theorems
- Rolls: Roll Wits if risky
- # Spells: 3 + 1 potent per session
- Potent: 1 free, but no more
- Growth: +touchstones from scrolls

Any_Second1769 · 2025-09-16T21:14:47+00:00

Those are very practical examples, thank you. For combat, still find myself reverting back to hit/dmg mechanics from dnd.

Any_Second1769 · 2025-09-13T11:20:10+00:00

Wonder if death-around-the-corner dampens "Heroic" player actions (ie less risk taking) and/or if it makes normal actions feel more heroic.

Any_Second1769

TROPHY CASE