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Might v. Parma

During several games I've seen that creatures with a low might can not touch a magus with a parma greater than the creature's might. I reviewed the rules and either I'm missing something, or else my take is the creatures can indeed touch (attack) the magus, as long as they aren't using any powers. What's everyone else's take?

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Paul Says:

Reply #12 on : Tue March 30, 2010, 07:25:54

I believe creatures with might are inherently "magical". Thus, they cannot cross the boundary unless they can penetrate it. This is the same reason they cannot enter an Aegis, or cross a ward. For a different opinion, see http://redcap.org/FAQ/FAQ2.html and go to "Does magic resistance protect against the claws or teeth of a magical creature?"

Hugh Says:

Reply #11 on : Thu April 01, 2010, 19:27:03

We've always played it the way that Paul describes but I've never looked for it in the rules. Looking at the Red Cap site it appears that the "official" version is that claws and teeth are not magical in nature even if they're attached to a magical beastie. Interesting, I think that this bears some thinking on.

Paul Says:

Reply #10 on : Fri April 02, 2010, 06:28:28

A couple of things. First, the Red Cap site, I think, claims not to be "official". I believe it contains opinions from the authors rather than the "official" policies about the game.

Second, I think "teeth and claws not magic" would be similar to saying the "edge" of an otherwise magical sword is not "magic" and so could hurt a magus even if the magic of the sword could not reach them. How does that impact things like "Edge of the Razor"? It would, however, avoid the "Pink Dot" trick (read about that in the red cap site).

I don't have a formed opinion here yet. Just observations.

Paul Says:

Reply #9 on : Fri April 02, 2010, 06:32:12

Another thought. Aegis of the Hearth says "This ritual protects a covenant in the way a Parma Magica protects a magus." And then further says, "Creatures with a Might score cannot enter the area protected by the Aegis unless they have a might higher than the Aegis."

Just more grist for the mill.

Tony Says:

Reply #8 on : Fri April 02, 2010, 10:40:40

Another twist to consider, Faith. In a past game (Albus and cast...) a low might creature could not affect Paval, who had a relic. So, does that mean he (or any other relic/True Faither) can't touch any magus or might creature? Faith Points confer a magic resistance of 10 x FP. I consider Might, Faith and Parma as magic resistance, and all behave exactly the same way.

Tony Says:

Reply #7 on : Fri April 02, 2010, 10:42:57

Yet another twist to consider. Will a sufficiantly high enough Aegis keep mages outside, (say you have a 20 and the Aegis is cast at a 30)?

Paul Says:

Reply #6 on : Fri April 02, 2010, 10:45:19

I would suggest neither of those apply. Magi and carriers of relics do not have a Might (at least, not because they are Magi or carry a relic).

Needless to say (or, I suppose, not quite needless since I took the time...) I do not consider Might and Faith and Parma the same. I do not consider Might equivalent to Magic Resistance, Might merely has a side effect of Magic Resistance.

Last Edit: April 02, 2010, 10:48:03 by Paul

Tony Says:

Reply #5 on : Fri April 02, 2010, 11:10:24

I agree that Faith, Parma and Might are different on many levels. Where they are the same is that they grant a magic resistance and this magic resistance has no distinction between each other.

After further rules readings, I agree that Aegis is specific to Might and magical effects affecting the area protected by the Aegis.

Tony Says:

Reply #4 on : Fri April 02, 2010, 11:13:28

Regarding the "Pink Dot" scenario posted on the RedCap site, I propose we all agree not to ever do that, as either players or story guides.

Kevin Says:

Reply #3 on : Thu April 22, 2010, 18:03:49

From the FAQ it looks like people are tied up logical knots. It's clear that a sword with a magical effect is blocked by magic resistance. As for the rest of it, I'm not sure.

How do we want it to work?

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