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Post by foxroe on Oct 13, 2014 18:23:51 GMT -6
I'm a bit perplexed by the rule on page 14 of Volume 2 (v3) about spell-casting in melee. As I read the rule, if a spell-caster loses the initiative, whether they are hit or not, they lose the spell. Shouldn't that read something like: "Magic spells can be cast successfully in the turn that melee is joined if the caster wins initiative; otherwise, the caster is interrupted and his spell is ruined if disrupted before completion."
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Post by waysoftheearth on Oct 13, 2014 19:43:36 GMT -6
As I read the rule, if a spell-caster loses the initiative, whether they are hit or not, they lose the spell. Hey foxroe, thanks for raising this question I think your reading of the DD rule is as it is intended. This comes directly from Chainmail which says: In order to cast or maintain any spell a Wizard must be both stationary and undisturbed by attack upon his person. (Chainmail p32). The implication is that spell casting is not possible in melee. The magic-user must therefore remain outside of melee combat in order to cast spells; otherwise he becomes a "regular" combatant in the general hand-to-hand fighting (not a good situation to be in with AC 9!). FWIW, Holmes also implies this same interpretation of the CM rule: "A magic-user must concentrate on his spell so he cannot cast a spell and walk or run at the same time, and he certainly cannot cast a spell while engaged in combat." (Holmes, p13)
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Post by foxroe on Oct 14, 2014 6:30:05 GMT -6
I think your reading of the DD rule is as it is intended. This comes directly from Chainmail which says: In order to cast or maintain any spell a Wizard must be both stationary and undisturbed by attack upon his person. (Chainmail p32). The implication is that spell casting is not possible in melee. The magic-user must therefore remain outside of melee combat in order to cast spells; otherwise he becomes a "regular" combatant in the general hand-to-hand fighting (not a good situation to be in with AC 9!). FWIW, Holmes also implies this same interpretation of the CM rule: "A magic-user must concentrate on his spell so he cannot cast a spell and walk or run at the same time, and he certainly cannot cast a spell while engaged in combat." (Holmes, p13) Ah, I see now. I was looking at it through the lens of later editions I suppose.
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Post by Stormcrow on Oct 14, 2014 10:37:54 GMT -6
The rule is there for the same reason that magic-users can't wear armor: because it's not part of the trope.
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