Strands of Astral Power. Worth it?

Dedas · #1 April 25th, 2008, 04:26 AM

With a high magic scale and invaders with low MR it should be more effective.

Tuidjy · #2 April 27th, 2008, 06:53 AM

So not worth it! On this turn, I have at least 30 enemy mages in my dominion,
sitting outside my castles. Not a single enemy mage found!

What is the point, seriously? A spell that only detects mages, but is easily
defeated by magic resistance, and neither dominion 10, high penetration, or
extra levels help. Serves me right for using it for the first time in MP.

Dedas · #3 April 27th, 2008, 07:01 AM

What is your magic scale?

Sombre · #4 April 27th, 2008, 07:36 AM

You're right that is pretty stupid. The one thing you can count on mages having is decent mr.

Tuidjy · #5 April 27th, 2008, 07:49 AM

It is drain 2, but what does it matter? As if +2 or +3 to penetration would
make a difference. I have no SCs at under 22, and no mage under 20... I doubt my
opponents do. So instead of MR 23, they would be MR 20 if I had magic + 3. Woo!
Then I'd have made a killing... Unless there is a way to reduce the enemies' MR
beyond the measily +2 from magic 3, this spell is worthless.

Oh, and when I said 30 mages, I lied. In just one province, there's about 50
astral mages... and not one was detected.

Dedas · #6 April 27th, 2008, 08:00 AM

Astral mages have extra MR due to astral you know so it is no wonder the spell doesn't work.

As for +1-3 difference in MR matters? Well not if you have 20 MR against the base check against 10. But a standard mage with 13-15 MR in your dominion with magic 2 (for example), that takes it down to 12 or 13 is a big difference - just look at the table in the manual for the chances of penetration.

sum1lost · #7 April 27th, 2008, 01:39 PM

Astral mages are automatically protected against Strands, I believe.

Tuidjy · #8 April 27th, 2008, 08:47 PM

> Astral mages are automatically protected against Strands, I believe.

Actually, no. Astral mages are the one that Strands is supposed to feeblemind.
But because the caster does not seem to benefit from extra levels, penetration
items, or dominion strength, astral mages laugh at the spell. I have at least
eighty (80) mages in my dominion, and on the last turn, my caster failed to
detect a single one.

> a standard mage with 13-15 MR in your dominion with magic 2 (for example),
> that takes it down to 12 or 13 is a big difference

I never play with Magic 2, but I am reasonably sure that it is -1 to MR, not -2.

Dedas · #9 April 28th, 2008, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Tuidjy said:
It is drain 2, but what does it matter? As if +2 or +3 to penetration would
make a difference. I have no SCs at under 22, and no mage under 20... I doubt my
opponents do. So instead of MR 23, they would be MR 20 if I had magic + 3. Woo!
Then I'd have made a killing... Unless there is a way to reduce the enemies' MR
beyond the measily +2 from magic 3, this spell is worthless.

Oh, and when I said 30 mages, I lied. In just one province, there's about 50
astral mages... and not one was detected.

Nope, he says he has drain 2.