Magic

The ability to do magical effects is, obviously, a cornerstone of Mage. Although the various Rotes you cast may have wide, powerful, and varied results, the system for casting is simple.

Intelligence is your primary Attribute for magical offense, Wits is your primary Attribute for magical defense.

To cast magic, simply pick a Rote and drop the required Paradox chips. You will also have to spend the required Casting Time marked on the Rote card. You never have to make a test to see if you successfully cast magic. The Rote will always work, although it may not always have its full effect. If your target is mundane – such as an average police officer, or a guy on the street, the effect is automatically successful. Also, if you’re casting a Rote on yourself, it will be successful.

If your target is another PC, or supernatural, you must beat them in a Challenge for the effect to hit. The Attribute + Ability required will be marked on the Rote card.

The opponent can dodge with his normal physical/mental/social defense, or attempt a defensive Rote if he has one.

Overpower: When casting, you can spend Quintessence to Overpower the spell. Overpowering make Rotes more potent, long-lasting, and powerful. More details will be in the description of each Rote. You may only choose to improve one aspect of the spell with each Trait of Quintessence, but may spend as many Quintessence as you want (up to as many as you have). Most aspects can be improved twice (by spending two Quintessence) although some can only be improved once. Some aspects may even require two Quintessence to improve.

For example, one Rote might have the Overpower effects ‘Double Range’ and ‘Double Number Affected’. Normally, the Rote affects one person within 10 feet. With one Quintessence, you could Overpower the Rote to affect one person within 20 feet, or two people within 10 feet. With three Quintessence, you could Overpower the Rote to affect 4 people within 20 feet, one person within 80 feet, or eight people within 10 feet.