FX BASICS

Contents

• Arcane Magical Writings - To decipher an arcane magical writing, a character must make a successful Spellcraft check (DC 20 + the spell's level).
• Arcane Spells - Arcane spells involve the direct manipulation of mystic energies.
• Area - Some spells affect an area. The caster selects where the spell starts,...
• Casting A Spell - To cast a spell, the character must be able to speak (if the spell has...
• Casting Time - This entry tells how much time is needed to complete the casting of a spell once it is begun.
• Components - Every spell has at least one type of component that the spellcaster must provide at the time of casting.
• Descriptive Text - A spell's descriptive text explains how the spell works or what it does...
• Descriptors - Descriptors are a way of classifying spells (often from different schools) that have some common characteristic.
• Display - When psionic powers manifest, secondary displays usually accompany the primary effect.
• Divine Magical Writings - Divine spells can be written down and deciphered just as arcane spells can (see Arcane Magical Writings, above).
• Divine Spells - Unlike arcane spells, divine spells draw power from the strength of the spellcaster's beliefs.
• Duration - The Duration entry of a spell description tells how long the effect of the spell lasts.
• Effect - Some spells create or summon things rather than affecting things that are already present.
• How To Read A Power Description - In most significant respects, manifesting a psionic power follows the same rules as casting a spell.
• How To Read A Spell Description - Spells have a number of defining characteristics that distinguish each spell from the others.
• Interrupting Fx Users
• Key Ability - The first line beneath the power's name provides the key ability associated with the power.
• Level - The relative power of a spell is indicated by its level.
• Manifestation Time - Manifesting a psionic power is either an attack action or a full-round action, depending on the power.
• Manifesting A Power - Psionic advanced classes describe how many powers each class knows by level,...
• Power Failure - If a character tries to manifest a power in conditions where the characteristics...
• Power Point Cost - All powers of a certain level have the same power point cost.
• Power Points - A power's cost is determined by its level, as shown below.
• Power Resistance - Power resistance is a special defensive ability that protects against psionic powers.
• Preparing Arcane Spells - The rules for which spells, and how many spells, an arcane spellcaster can cast are given in the class description.
• Preparing Divine Spells - The rules for which spells, and how many spells, a divine spellcaster can cast are given in the class description.
• Psionic Powers - A psionic power is a one-time psionic effect manifested by a psionic character or creature.
• Range - Each psionic power has a range, as listed in the power description.
• Saving Throw - Most harmful powers allow an affected target a saving throw to avoid some or all of the effect.
• School - The first line beneath the spell's name provides the school (and perhaps also a subschool) that the spell belongs to.
• Spell Failure - If a caster ever tries to cast a spell in conditions where the characteristics...
• Spell Resistance - Spell resistance is a special defensive ability that protects against spells.
• Spells - A spell is a one-time magical effect. Magic is used by individuals with...
• Target - Some spells have a specific target or targets. A caster uses these spells...
• Target, Effect, Area - These terms are defined and used the same as they are for spells.
• The Spell's Result - Spells and Critical Hits: A spell that requires an attack roll can score a critical hit.