Re: So, who can operate Major and Minor Helms at 3.5e?

On Mon, 31 Jul 2006, Dreamer wrote:

> In <URL:news:local.spelljam> on Mon 31 Jul, Dante Inferno wrote:
>> I'd say the problem is not with the fact that non-magic users can't use
>> the helm, but with the fact that as soon as you sit down all your spells
>> are gone. I think one of the caster level or slow spell draining
>> propositions would be a much better idea than allowing anyone to sit on
>> the helm.
>
> In theory a nice idea, but in practice powering a Helm is such a
> major proposition that anything less than: all your magic, or all
> your magical powers, both for the day, or a chunk of your life-
> force (which may kill you on a daily basis); may well not be
> enough.

But it makes for very lousy gameplay. Either the helmsman is an NPC, then 
the players don't get the fun of operating a ship themselves, or a PC 
spellcaster is a useless character if there's a "surprise" encounter.