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If a mage is under the effect of Bio-Manipulation Pain, is he still able to cast a spell?
(B-M Pain causes 1 pt of damage every minute, as well as terrible pain which has substantive combat penalties.)

The Game Master wrote:If a mage is under the effect of Bio-Manipulation Pain, is he still able to cast a spell?
(B-M Pain causes 1 pt of damage every minute, as well as terrible pain which has substantive combat penalties.)

Nothing canon that I'me aware of, but I'd say that it counts as being under attack, which would (as per RUE 179-180 iirc) mean that the mage can only cast level 1-5 invocations, not higher level spells.

The Game Master wrote:If a mage is under the effect of Bio-Manipulation Pain, is he still able to cast a spell?
(B-M Pain causes 1 pt of damage every minute, as well as terrible pain which has substantive combat penalties.)

no, severe pain breaks concentration, I think.

I thought a book updated this and it now takes 8 or more points of damage to disrupt a mage's concentration and prevent spell casting?

Glistam wrote:I thought a book updated this and it now takes 8 or more points of damage to disrupt a mage's concentration and prevent spell casting?

yes, but it's not the damage so much as the wracking pain. damage isn't the ONLY thing that disrupts casting.

Pages 53 and 54 of the Palladium Fantasy book "Mysteries of Magic Book 1: The Heart of Magic" have the information I was remembering, and is worth a read. According to that section, no, Bio-Manipulation Pain is not enough to cause a mage to break the concentration of their spell.

Glistam wrote:Pages 53 and 54 of the Palladium Fantasy book "Mysteries of Magic Book 1: The Heart of Magic" have the information I was remembering, and is worth a read. According to that section, no, Bio-Manipulation Pain is not enough to cause a mage to break the concentration of their spell.

That's also what I was refering to, and nothing in there contradicts what I said. it lists a lot of things that can break ones contcentration. it says that taking 8 points of damage or more will do it, not that that is the only thing that will do it, and goes on to list other distractions which can do it. It's reasonable to say "agonizing pain" is sufficent given the guidelines there.

I disagree. You can still fight and act while under the effect of Bio-Manipulation: Pain, so you can still cast spells.

Whether or not BM:Pain disrupts spell casting is up to the individual GMs. So both NS and G are correct in their GM outlooks on this.

Though this still begs the question of why one would use anything other than bio-manipulation: Paralasis. it completely stops fighters AND says explictly it stops casters from casting too. there's really no reason to ever use anything else.

Nekira Sudacne wrote:Though this still begs the question of why one would use anything other than bio-manipulation: Paralasis. it completely stops fighters AND says explictly it stops casters from casting too. there's really no reason to ever use anything else.

Might not stop another psychic.

Killer Cyborg wrote:

Nekira Sudacne wrote:Though this still begs the question of why one would use anything other than bio-manipulation: Paralasis. it completely stops fighters AND says explictly it stops casters from casting too. there's really no reason to ever use anything else.

Might not stop another psychic.

Actually it says explictly they can only use psionics if they have LoS. use paralasis, and sinse they can no longer move their head, step out of their LoS.

Under a strict reading, they couldn't even use non Line of Sight psionics like a bursters fire aura or group mind block, but that's probablly a bit too literal.

Nekira Sudacne wrote:

Killer Cyborg wrote:

Nekira Sudacne wrote:Though this still begs the question of why one would use anything other than bio-manipulation: Paralasis. it completely stops fighters AND says explictly it stops casters from casting too. there's really no reason to ever use anything else.

Might not stop another psychic.

Actually it says explictly they can only use psionics if they have LoS. use paralasis, and sinse they can no longer move their head, step out of their LoS.

Pretty good plan.
I guess if they use telekinesis, the GM might let them change their line of sight.

Under a strict reading, they couldn't even use non Line of Sight psionics like a bursters fire aura or group mind block, but that's probablly a bit too literal.

Agreed; that's too strict.

pain vs casting, eh?

I say if they failed the psionics save, then no casting. damage isn't relevant when you're in crazy amounts of pain. though of course you could also allow a second save vs pain, specifically.

I think the point of the power is to debilitate without causing massive physical trauma anyway.

This would be a great use for the 'Save vs. Pain' mechanic.....

I use it all the time in my games, but my players experience a lot of pain, so...yeah