Addendum Clarification: Game Ability

Status
Not open for further replies.
In the new addendum, "Game Ability" was defined inconsistently and is used at "121: Prison: No Game Abilities, including High Magic abilities, may be used while under a Prison effect."
This potentially creates a contradiction:
Gaseous Form, P69 of book: "... The monster can be affected by attacks while doing this threecount and if it uses any Game Abilities such as Phase or Resist Magic, the three-count is blown and one use of the gaseous form skill is expended along with the Game Ability."
Phase, P71 of book: "Some creatures can become non-corporeal for an instant, avoiding an attack as the Dodge skill, and announcing “Phase.” Unlike Dodge, Phase can be used even if the creature is completely immobilized, such as if in a Confine, Entangle or a Paralysis."

((Edit line 1, since it is apparently impossible for regular users to reply in ARC threads (edit indicated in italics, original text read "not defined (still) but." (We apparently don't have strikethrough text as an option.))
- The fact that "Game Abilities" is only defined in the glossary is poor technical writing, and even then it is defined in a manner that contradicts the wording in other parts of the book, which is the crux of the question being asked. P159 states that Game Abilities are those purchased with build, but P69 includes Phase as a Game Ability. This is either erroneous, or a Build cost for Phase needs to be included on the appropriate chart. Since I don't believe that Phase is intended to be purchased by PCs, descriptions like that under Gaseous Form and other Monster Abilities should be rewritten to say what they actually mean. This should also shore up the "Innate Spell Tree" discussion one way or the other.)
 
This post is to inform you that your question is currently being discussed by the ARC and once some clarification has been made, will be posted here (removing this post). Depending on the level of clarification and discussion (and potential involvement of the Owners or other national staff, if needed) this may take time.
 
'Game Abilities', for items not otherwise defined under PC-obtainable abilities and skills, cover anything 'times per day' which is used at the owner's determination as well as natural weapons. For NPCs this would include:
-Duplicates of PC 'Game Abilities', such as 'Dodge 1x/day' or 'One-Handed Edge'
-'times per day' abilities which they may choose whether or not to activate, such as 'Phase 1x/day' or 'Entangle 1x/day'
-Ability to strike or block with Claws
-Ability to rip from various binding effects

It does not cover any abilities an NPC might have which are not activated a certain number of times per day, or which they have no choice when to use or not to use. For example, NPC 'Game Abilities' does *not* include:
-'times per day' abilities which automatically activate, such as 'Magic Guard 1x/day' or 'Vengeance 300 points 1x/ever when affected by a Killing Blow'
-Monster strength
-Threshold
-Natural Armor
-Immunities
-Vulnerabilities

Effects delivered via the Magic and Arcane qualifiers and the mechanism of activating a Magic Item are both exempt from negative effects which restrict Game Abilities. For both, you must be able to at least move your mouth to vocalize (though the Magic and Arcane qualifiers may be used while under effect of a Silence).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top