Transform Self spell and shapeshifters

[Bill the barbarian]

11 minutes ago, lordabdul said:

Why is it a bad idea?

The idea of being able to deal out as much damage as a properly statted Humakt can at the percentage he is capable of freaks some out. Others take the trance thing and when combined with extension on Truesword  figure some mental damage has to be accruing by being in trance season after season. 

More at Egregious Munchkinnerry!

Edited December 15, 2019 by Bill the barbarian

[Austin]

13 minutes ago, lordabdul said:

43 minutes ago, Crel said:

Further, the context taken pretty universally on here in rules discussions about Trance spells has been that they are capable of Extension (and that doing so is a bad idea)

Why is it a bad idea?

As I understand it, the authors' intent to the [Weapon] Trance spells is that you can only do that thing while they're active. This wasn't included in the core book spell descriptions, but that was an oversight. Arrow Trance in the Glorantha Bestiary provides some description of how they intend Trance spells to work.

So, if you Extend a Trance spell for Extension 2+ (a day or more) you'll start struggling with thirst, hunger, and lack of sleep since you're only able to wait for more things to Weapon.

[gochie]

23 hours ago, Crel said:

As I understand it, the authors' intent to the [Weapon] Trance spells is that you can only do that thing while they're active. This wasn't included in the core book spell descriptions, but that was an oversight. Arrow Trance in the Glorantha Bestiary provides some description of how they intend Trance spells to work.

So, if you Extend a Trance spell for Extension 2+ (a day or more) you'll start struggling with thirst, hunger, and lack of sleep since you're only able to wait for more things to Weapon.

I confirm that this was clarified here, on the forums. Otherwise it is probably the most powerful thing you can do as a starting character.

[g33k]

On 12/14/2019 at 5:04 PM, Crel said:

...

So, if you Extend a Trance spell for Extension 2+ (a day or more) you'll start struggling with thirst, hunger, and lack of sleep since you're only able to wait for more things to Weapon.

More to the point, you won't struggle.

You'll stand there, thirsty, with a full waterskin at your side... waiting for a foe you can Sword-or-Axe-or-Arrow-or-Weapon (I presume other Cult-specific Weapons may be Trance'able at some tables, or p'raps forthcoming in future supplements).  You won't go LOOKING for more foes, though you'll move to engage a foe you can see, or move to clear a sight-line for unobstructed bow shot, and similar.

You'll stand there -- if Extended long enough, and if no foes happen by -- until you're dehydrated, with that same full waterskin at your side.  You'll stand there until you drop in your track from dehydration (or freeze in the cold, or otherwise succumb to physical failure), all while self-care solutions are immediately available to hand, and trivial to use.

Those in [Weapon] Trace can ONLY do their weapon-thing skill, and immediately-proximate things (e.g. in Arrow Trance, the Aldryami can IIRC cast healing magic on their Elf-Bow if it gets damaged).