Spellcasting
Spellcasting Cheat Sheet (Except Indirect Combat Spells)
Attributes & Skills Needed
-
Magic – Used to create your spellcasting dice pool
-
Spellcasting Skill – Specific to your tradition
-
Willpower – Used to resist Drain
-
Optional: Mentor Spirit modifier, Spellcasting Focus rating
Spellcasting Variables
-
Spell – The spell you are casting
-
Force – Desired Force of the spell (up to 2× Magic)
-
Mentor Spirit Bonus – If applicable
-
Spellcasting Focus – Optional, can add hits or reduce Drain
-
Wound Modifier – Subtract from dice pool if injured
-
Your Hits – Rolled by you
-
Defender’s Hits – Rolled by target if living
-
Actual Hits – Hits after comparing to spell Force and resistance
-
Drain Damage Value (DV) – From spell or calculated by GM
Spellcasting Steps
Step 1: Build Your Spellcasting Pool
-
Choose the spell you wish to cast and select its Force.
-
Add your Magic Attribute to your dice pool.
-
Add your Spellcasting Skill to your dice pool.
-
Add Mentor Spirit bonus if applicable.
-
Optionally, add Spellcasting Focus rating if not saved for Drain resistance.
-
Subtract any Wound Modifiers.
Step 2: Roll the Pool
-
Roll your dice pool.
-
Count your hits.
-
If you glitch, notify the GM.
Step 3: Determine Actual Hits
-
Take the lesser of your hits and the spell’s Force; this is your Actual Hits.
-
If the target is living: GM rolls resistance pool and subtracts from Actual Hits.
-
If the target is non-living: GM compares Actual Hits to the spell’s threshold.
-
If Actual Hits ≤ 0 or fails threshold → spell fails, skip to Drain resistance.
Step 4: Report Hits
- Tell the GM your Actual Hits and Force. GM applies effects based on the spell.
Step 5: Calculate Drain
-
Start a new dice pool: Willpower + Drain Resistance Attribute.
-
If Spellcasting Focus wasn’t used earlier, add it now.
-
Roll the dice pool. Each hit reduces Drain DV by 1.
Step 6: Apply Drain Damage
-
If Drain DV > 0 after resistance:
-
Physical if Force > Magic
-
Stun otherwise
-
Quick Reference Table
| Step | Action | Pool/Calc |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Build spellcasting pool | Magic + Spellcasting + Mentor Spirit + Focus - Wounds |
| 2 | Roll dice | Count hits, check glitch |
| 3 | Determine Actual Hits | Min(Hits, Spell Force) – Resistance hits (if living) → Actual Hits |
| 4 | Report hits | GM applies spell effects |
| 5 | Resist Drain | Willpower + Drain Resistance (+ Focus if not used) |
| 6 | Apply Drain | DV > 0 → Physical if Force > Magic, else Stun |