[RPG]: Ancient Magic, reviewed by Joe Sala (4/4)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/12/12913.phtml

Joe Sala's Summary:

The latest Ars Magica book is not a \"must\", but it will enrich any Saga.

Go to the full review for more information.

[Dan Davenport]

Thanks for the review, Joe!

So overall, are the magic styles presented in this book more <u>powerful</u> than Hermetic magic, or are they mostly valuable in their capacity to do things Hermetic magic cannot?

[guessmyname]

Originally Posted by Dan Davenport

So overall, are the magic styles presented in this book more <u>powerful</u> than Hermetic magic, or are they mostly valuable in their capacity to do things Hermetic magic cannot?

Well, I'd argue that's not the question. Y'see, no one practices the styles in their ancient form any more, so the only way to get their effects is to research them and integrate them into Hermetic theory. So comparing them to Hermetic magic isn't really appropriate; if you've integrated one of the systems you've made Bonisagus's system more flexible or powerful.

That said, most of the systems in the book are designed to bend or break one of the Lesser Limits of magic. Some systems, like Adamic language, just make the Order's casting more powerful overall, but most make it easier to do things that Hermetic mages find difficult or impossible.

[Joe Sala]

Originally Posted by guessmyname

Well, I'd argue that's not the question. Y'see, no one practices the styles in their ancient form any more, so the only way to get their effects is to research them and integrate them into Hermetic theory. So comparing them to Hermetic magic isn't really appropriate; if you've integrated one of the systems you've made Bonisagus's system more flexible or powerful.

I can't explain it better.

[the GreyOrm]

This is interesting. How does the "breakthrough" points system work?

(It sounds similar to something I developed for d20 in "The Way of the Magus", so I'm curious how the idea was implemented here.)

[Joe Sala]

Originally Posted by the GreyOrm

This is interesting. How does the "breakthrough" points system work?

Atlas Game's website has a preview of this book which includes the introductory chapter. So you can check it yourself.

Just remember that Ars Magica is a game designed to play campaigns that last for decades in game terms, so the integration process is slow.

[the GreyOrm]

Originally Posted by Joe Sala

Atlas Game's website has a preview of this book which includes the introductory chapter. So you can check it yourself.

Ahhh, excellent. Thank you for the pointer!