Most useful rotes in-play?

[Wolfwood2]

So having played a couple of wizard characters now, I'm still struggling when writing up my evocation rotes.  I'm never really confident that I've designed them "right", not so much as reagrds to the rules as to what makes a good rote.

So I'm asking folks with actual play experience using rotes.  What have you found most useful in game?  When have you broken something out and said, "Boy, I'm glad I had that as a rote?,"?  Do they really matter at all?  Is there a trick where maneuver rotes or protection rotes are more useful?

[BumblingBear]

So having played a couple of wizard characters now, I'm still struggling when writing up my evocation rotes.  I'm never really confident that I've designed them "right", not so much as reagrds to the rules as to what makes a good rote.

So I'm asking folks with actual play experience using rotes.  What have you found most useful in game?  When have you broken something out and said, "Boy, I'm glad I had that as a rote?,"?  Do they really matter at all?  Is there a trick where maneuver rotes or protection rotes are more useful?

Rotes are really more useful if your discipline/control isn't very high.

I never really had a whole lot of use for them because after stacking aspects to make an attack, it was worth the risk to just roll instead of using a rote.

[UmbraLux]

Useful combat rotes are pretty much limited to blocks and maneuvers.  You'll have to roll attacks anyway so making them a rote doesn't really help.  In some ways, rotes are most useful outside of (physical) combat.  Modulating or amplifying your voice is useful in social situations, veils / blocks can be useful in variety of tasks, and something as simple wind or force based telekinesis can see a lot of use.  

[HumAnnoyd]

Veil has been the most useful for my Warden so far since it has got him out a jam or two.

[andreww]

*raises thread from the dead*

Apologies for the thread necromancy but I was skimming through the forums in preparation for our Dresden game restarting this weekend and wanted to see what peoples views were on this.

Personally I think having a good selection of rotes is pretty essential.  I cannot undervalue the benefit of not having your casting roll have to reach your discipline success.  Given the average 0 benefit from the Fate dice and the limited number of Fate points most Wizards will have to spread around (leaving aside compels) this is a major benefit.  Never having to worry about damage from backlash to make sure your cast goes off and only having to worry about hitting is huge.

I would also really cast doubt on the benefit of casting blocks, at least personal shield type spells.  Do many people actually use these?  They take up your entire action for the turn and only last one turn, an encahted reflexive item does everything they do but better by not taking up your action. 

What are other peoples experiences of using personal shields?  Do you bother, do they make a difference or do they just slow you down?

[zenten]

I would also really cast doubt on the benefit of casting blocks, at least personal shield type spells.  Do many people actually use these?  They take up your entire action for the turn and only last one turn, an encahted reflexive item does everything they do but better by not taking up your action. 

What are other peoples experiences of using personal shields?  Do you bother, do they make a difference or do they just slow you down?

The caster in my game doesn't use "personal blocks".  She puts extra shifts in to cover a whole zone (or zone barrier depending) and uses it strategically that way to provide cover.  This is highly situation dependant on when she does this, and I can't really give a generic answer on when she would.  If it's the standard forum "you're all on a big empty field shooting at each other" she does an attack instead.

[Masurao]

I would also really cast doubt on the benefit of casting blocks, at least personal shield type spells.  Do many people actually use these?  They take up your entire action for the turn and only last one turn, an encahted reflexive item does everything they do but better by not taking up your action. 

I think their value is somewhat lessened by the fact that most wizards in game are part of a group of players. In the novels, Harry is usually up against a load of thugs all by himself. Like Zenten said, if you can use such a spell to provide protection/block for multiple people on your side, then their value returns.

Then again, they are great for narrative purposes. The wizard steps out into the open, calls out the gunwielding thugs, they blast away at him and he is unharmed. He laughs maniacally and madness ensues. (Or something similar...)

Also, I am afraid I must inform you, that I called 1-900-WARDEN

[The Mighty Buzzard]

Also, I am afraid I must inform you, that I called 1-900-WARDEN

I think you mean 1-800-WARDEN.

1-900-WARDEN is Luccio's phone sex line.  Don't judge.

[Masurao]

I think you mean 1-800-WARDEN.

1-900-WARDEN is Luccio's phone sex line.  Don't judge.

I was doubting which one to take... Damn me for not investigating US culture more on Wikipedia!

[toturi]

I think you mean 1-800-WARDEN.

1-900-WARDEN is Luccio's phone sex line.  Don't judge.

Given the likelihood of the line being hexed, calling either number is likely to connect to the other. But it is all good.