Re: Magic/Tech (Attn: A. Sibal)

In <URL:news:local.spelljam> on Thu 26 Jan, Loki wrote:
> Hey,
> I just aquired some sourebooks for use in Dragonstar and it immediately
> struck me how useful it would be for a few of y'all. The books detail purely
> magical variants of robots (an evolution of golems), computers, spellware,
> and many other high"tech" items and weapons that would be useful. Well put
> together works, although they REALLY amp up the power levels (Magic Blasters
> MUAHAHAHAHAHA!)
> 
> Anyway the works in question are
> Arsenal
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0972135804/104-1180465-0067137?v=glance&n=283155
> Factory
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0972135812/104-1180465-0067137?v=glance&n=283155

First off, I haven't read these works. (Though I would quite like
to.)

But, one of the reasons that the DnD Technologist class (link
below, maybe 3rd Ed version someday!) was written was due to all
the approaches to tech that had come out of TSR, the things in
the "Temple of the Frog" in the original DnD rulebook "Blackmoor",
and the module S3 "Expedition to the Barrier Peaks", being good
examples.

It is quite easy to have all sorts of tech, particularly weapons,
which look fun, and this in particular seems to apply to magi-
tech, but doing tech in such a way that it doesn't trash the game
balance of the campaign that you wish to run, in particular
deadly weapons, and maybe over-effective defences, is another
matter.

The availability of sensor kit that can reduce the need for
careful investigation, or in the worst case completely short-
circuit the DM's scenario, or things like robots that act as
extra bodies you can put between your PCs and harm, can be other
factors.

Of course, it is possible that they have got the balance right in
these books, and if so then I will be pleasantly surprised, but
very few people seem to have managed this over the history of the
hobby. In particular in books with titles similar to "Arsenal".

(You are, of course, at liberty to believe that the Tech spec
makes a mess of things as well! [grin] )


> Hope they help. I'd love to compare notes once I have had a chance to really
> dig through them in depth.
> 
> Peace,
> George "Loki" Williams

-- 
Dreamer
dreamer@??????.?????.??.uk
http://www.romsys.demon.co.uk/