otto@whuxle.UUCP (George V.E. Otto) (10/16/83)
When a Fighter and a MU go at it, I treat it much as any other combat, except that the number of segments of the spell are traded off against the speed factor of the fighter's weapon: 1) The MU announces the *number of segments* of the spell to be used, but not the spell itself. 2) The MU and Fighter roll initiative to see who starts moving first and by how many segments (the difference between their rolls). 3) The loser of the initiative roll adds the difference to the speed factor of the weapon (if the fighter) or the number of segments of the spell (if the MU). 4) Both sides apply their normal dex adjustments to these numbers. The resulting number for each tells the segment each will affect the other. The rest is standard resolution of conflict. All the above assumes that both characters are confronting one another already, that the fighter has weapon in hand and the MU has any needed components also to hand. Of course any time needed to move closer, turn around, or take something out of a pocket will induce a segment penalty as a result of that action. I always prefer MU's to have their spell selected in some clear way (perhaps by having it written down on a sheet of paper, or on an index card pulled from the MU's magic book (really just a 3-by-5 index card box) but not announcing the spell until it goes off. That is why I only ask for the *number of segments* in step 1 above. I have seen DM's who probably reacted unconsciously suddenly spread their monsters apart when they were told that a MU was about to drop a fireball on them. By only knowing the segment that a spell is to go down, the DM can show where the monsters are at the given segment, then the MU can announce the spell. George Otto AT&T Bell Labs, Whippany ------------------------