Use the tier associated with whatever tradition you are casting it from. If you happen to have both traditions, pick one.
Personally, I didn't have a problem with the original proposal. I'm just proposing a slightly outside the box solution to one of the more recent debates within this topic.


Scott

I also found the errata to be perfectly acceptable.

Besides that you could be forced to use two strain values or two speed values as both of the new values?

As John pointed out, combining two very fast but exhaustive spells (low speed, high strain) meant the new spell having (high speed, high strain) every single time. Using the Martial Technique's method, it should be possible to get a distribution of low, medium, and high for both values.

Plus, as was pointed out by someone else too, consistency between AMT and AS is a good thing.

The main issue with the proposal was that it had no basis in realism. Again, the 'general' example was if you combine 2 very fast spells with high strain you end up with an interruptible spell with high strain. It made no sense. The numbers may come out the same when you have 2 spells with similar speed (strain) costs, but that doesn't make the methods the same.

John

True, but of you look at the final values...across the board they were faster and in some cases only +1 strain over the original spell..

AWM also had the additional weapon speed cost added to the final numbers, a factor missing with spells.

Maybe use the AWM method + a modifier?

Not sure a modifier is needed. Spells don't have a 'modifier' on their speed when cast as Base Spells. the "Speed" of the spell is basically the same as a Weapon Speed + maneuver modifier in many cases.

John

If going with the A:MT method, no modifier is needed.
Recovery <> Strain for a penalty, and higher Strain overall is a GOOD thing for balance. The Strain in general is much higher for some spell combinations.

While under Recovery, you can still use Base Attacks or a Manoeuvre without a Recovery (ie: continue the same attack mode).
While under Strain, you can't do any other spell without dealing with the strain somehow, potential Vanquishing yourself. This would also help slow down Minion spellcasters (where there are dozens of the annoying **** throwing something like Black Tongue at you).

Spell Speed isn't the issue; its the low strain value attached to them. If spellcasting is dominating tables, more strain = lower casting tempo and more varied attack methods.

Ok going with the A:MT speed/recovery system...

changed the CTN to Equal to the sum of both CTNs - 13

Any chance to consider a scaling CTN based upon Tier?

Sum of CTN's - 13 means a CTN of 29 when combining 2 Tier II CTN 21 spells. Not likely to be cast.

John