The Dresden Files > DFRPG
Evocation Block: Block/Armor/Zone Border
Papa Gruff:
Tsunami and I have a little debate going about a problem, that doesn't seem to be covered by the rules. It's about using Evocation Blocks as a Zone Borders:
--- Quote ---Optionally, instead of block strength, you can opt to have the effect work as Armor or as a zone border instead. If you choose the Armor effect, the armor rating is equal to half rounded down) the shifts put into the spell. The advantage to doing this is that the Armor effect only ends when the spell duration ends—the armor survives a bypassing attack. (YW 252)
--- End quote ---
Tsunami wants to use one of his rote spells to create a zone border that takes form as a stone wall. He has a conviction of 5 and an earth specialization, so the power he can use for the rote comes out as +6. So far so good. He is able to create a Zone Border. But what exactly are the qualities of said border? The rules on border state, that a high wall presents an obstacle of good difficulty to overcome and thats pretty much all they say (YW 212). But does this wall of stone also stop bullets? Does it work as armor? Is it still a block? We can't reach an agreement.
My standpoint is, that a border is a border is a border, so all it really should be able to do is work as an obstacle an divide what was formally one zone into two. The reasonable opinion of Tsunami is, that a wall of stone, should stop bullets in a way a block or armor does.
I suggested using the rules for breaking stuff (YW 321) or assign an appropriate stress track to the conjured wall (YW 320). But everything we try to come up with seams either entirely overpowered or laughably weak.
What are your opinions? How would you handle this?
luminos:
Use a border as a kind of block. If someone wants to cross the border, they have to overcome the border value.
Deadmanwalking:
I'd rule that it's a zone border only, but can be used for cover in the same way as a normal stone wall (usually by Maneuvering for a "Behind Cover" Aspect).
Papa Gruff:
--- Quote from: luminos on May 12, 2010, 10:15:25 PM ---Use a border as a kind of block. If someone wants to cross the border, they have to overcome the border value.
--- End quote ---
but thats exactly the problem. a border is not a block and vice versa. A kind of block would have it's power reduced by 2 shifts only because the zone wide effect. that brings down the rote block to a +4. what you suggest is a movement block and that is not really the idea of a border... or is it? If it's not just a movement block it loses an other shift for being an attack block too ... so thats down to a +3 block. Yes?
I guess I should go to bed. My head is spinning ;)
bestial warlust:
I'd be interested in the answer on this also. The rules don't seem clear on this
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