Post originally by Andrew Cermak at 2004-01-12 14:04:56
Converted from Phorums BB System

Two things to keep in mind when it comes to the Requires a Skill Roll Limitation (RSR) and Magic Systems:

First, if a GM has made RSR a standard element of her campaign, she's probably done this because it's important to maintaining the flavor of magic she wants for her campaign. In that case, the GM isn't likely to just let anybody buy the "Master" version of a spell just because it's cost effective.

If I was running a campaign with an RSR Magic system, I'd at the very least require a character to have bought their Magic Skill up to a level that I felt represented "Mastery" (20- sounds about right) before letting them buy off that limitation, and then I'd probably put a restriction on top of that. For example, I might require that characters buy the non-Master version of each spell and use it until such time as they score a "critical sucess" on their skill roll for that spell. With their "Mastery" of the spell thus demonstrated, I might thereafter let them buy off the RSR limitation on that spell.

Second, characters can get bonuses to their Magic Skill Rolls by taking extra time to cast the spell, and Fantasy Hero suggests giving bonuses for using particularly exquisite materials in the casting (p. 252). You can use these as guidelines for other ways to improve skill rolls; maybe pouring extra END into the spell could give bonuses to the Skill Roll, for example.