Wildcard Magery is a type of magery that functions similar to Ritual Magery but eliminates needing the Ritual Magic or Thaumatology skill.
Special Note[]
Unlike other forms of Magery which do not add to wildcard spells[1] Wildcard Magery expressly does[2]. It is the only exception to the general rule that a Talent doesn’t improve skills covered by or defaulted to the wildcard.
As presented in Thaumatology, it was recommended that "Each spell defaults to the appropriate college skill at a penalty equal to 1/3 of its prerequisite count, rounded to the nearest whole number." (sic)[2]
Ironically. despite the statement "This idea may not be especially balanced", that is actually more balanced than then Power-Ups 7's suggestion to GMs that the default be to "let casters attempt any spell within the college at full skill, relying on casting time, energy cost, and Magery level for balance."[3]
GURPS Power-Ups 7: Wildcard Skills seems a little confused about how fractions work as it states "If that seems over-generous, the GM may use prerequisite count divided by two, three (as suggested in GURPS Thaumatology), or more, rounding as he sees fit." But the larger the divisor the smaller the fraction is (ie 1/3 is less then 1/2)[4]
To keep balance, it may be prudent to treat Wildcard Magery as if it was a Wildcard Advantage and charge 3x standard magery's cost especially if the 'defaults to College! at full skill' option is in effect.
Since under any of the available set of rules Magery 0 doesn't provide a skill bonus it will still costs [5] adjusted for any limitations or enhancements.[5]
Comparison Examples[]
- Standard Magery: Morgan Silvercloak has IQ 15, Magery 2, 12 points (attribute-1) in Ritual Magic or Thaumatology, and 12 points (attribute-1) in the Air College! skill. He therefore has Air College!-14, and can cast Purify Air at skill 14, Shape Air at 14, and Lightning at 14. Ritual Magic or Thaumatology must be improved for Air College! to be improved.
- Wildcard Magery: "Thaumaticus-Z6G has IQ 15, Wildcard Magery 2, and 12 points in the Air College! skill. He therefore has Air College!-16, and can cast Purify Air at skill 16, Shape Air at 15, and Lightning at 14."[2]
- Wildcard Magery w/ College! at full skill option: Orlozax Damonar has IQ 15, Wildcard Magery 2, and 12 points (attribute-1) in the Air College! skill. He therefore has Air College!-16, and can cast Purify Air at skill 16, Shape Air at 16, and Lightning at 16.
Magic!, Theurgy!, Wizardry![]
Magic!, Theurgy! (Power Investiture), and Wizardry! (Magery) all work the same. In addition to eliminating the need for the Ritual Magic or Thaumatology skill these eliminate needing to learn the colleges directly. Otherwise they function with Ritual Magic's standard spell cast at a penalty equal to the spell’s prerequisite count.
See Also[]
References[]
- ↑ Power-Ups 7: Wildcard Skills pg 16, 24
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Wildcard Colleges", Thaumatology pg 75
- ↑ GURPS Power-Ups 7: Wildcard Skills pg 5, 16.
- ↑ GURPS Power-Ups 7: Wildcard Skills p. 16
- ↑ See Necron Maximara on how to do this