Talent Knack Question: What's My Rank?

Discussion on playing Earthdawn. Experiences, stories, and questions related to being a player.
Post Reply
Tattered Rags
Posts:374
Joined:Mon Nov 28, 2016 12:04 am
Talent Knack Question: What's My Rank?

Post by Tattered Rags » Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:23 pm

I'm slightly confused by knacks that reference the knack's rank.

For example, Mind Blade has a damage step equal to the Mind Blade Rank. What is Mind Blade's Rank? You can't improve knacks. Does a knack's rank equal the governing Talent's current rank? Natural rank? Rank when knack was learned? 70 bajillion?

Also, if there is a reference in the ED Companion, please point me to it. I couldn't find it.
Adventure I'm running:
Under the Stars

Adventure GM post-mortem:
Under the Stars Postmortem

Tattered Rags
Posts:374
Joined:Mon Nov 28, 2016 12:04 am

Re: Talent Knack Question: What's My Rank?

Post by Tattered Rags » Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:33 pm

Also, since I've got your attention, Wind Bow doesn't create the missile, right, just the bow?
Adventure I'm running:
Under the Stars

Adventure GM post-mortem:
Under the Stars Postmortem

User avatar
Mataxes
Posts:745
Joined:Sat Nov 26, 2016 10:39 pm
Location:The Great Library
Contact:

Re: Talent Knack Question: What's My Rank?

Post by Mataxes » Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:44 pm

I'm at the day gig so I can't point to page references, but here are answers:

References to "rank" refer to the rank of the governing talent at the time the knack is used, except when the knack is learned as a skill (where possible). In that case, you use the "skill" rank of the knack.

And yes, WInd Bow creates the weapon, but not ammunition.
Josh Harrison - josh@fasagames.com
Earthdawn Developer, Forum Admin

Personal Website: www.loremerchant.com

Tattered Rags
Posts:374
Joined:Mon Nov 28, 2016 12:04 am

Re: Talent Knack Question: What's My Rank?

Post by Tattered Rags » Fri Oct 12, 2018 6:01 pm

Mataxes wrote:
Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:44 pm
I'm at the day gig so I can't point to page references, but here are answers:

References to "rank" refer to the rank of the governing talent at the time the knack is used, except when the knack is learned as a skill (where possible). In that case, you use the "skill" rank of the knack.

And yes, WInd Bow creates the weapon, but not ammunition.
Both kinda the answers I expected. Thanks.

When someone (anyone!) gets a chance, I'd still love a page reference. I'm just not seeing it, but I'll look again.
Adventure I'm running:
Under the Stars

Adventure GM post-mortem:
Under the Stars Postmortem

Tattered Rags
Posts:374
Joined:Mon Nov 28, 2016 12:04 am

Re: Talent Knack Question: What's My Rank?

Post by Tattered Rags » Fri Oct 12, 2018 6:31 pm

At first I thought this was overpowered. If someone had Melee Weapons at 15, that's a damage step of 15 in the shape of any weapon. But if they have Melee Weapons of 15, is it unreasonable to think they don't also have a thread item broadsword forged 10 times? Even a magic dagger forged only 10 times might be better, depending on the magic.

More balanced than I initially thought.
Adventure I'm running:
Under the Stars

Adventure GM post-mortem:
Under the Stars Postmortem

Panda
Posts:172
Joined:Mon Nov 28, 2016 5:30 am

Re: Talent Knack Question: What's My Rank?

Post by Panda » Fri Oct 12, 2018 6:58 pm

This is covered on p. 76 under the note following the talents entry.

Tattered Rags
Posts:374
Joined:Mon Nov 28, 2016 12:04 am

Re: Talent Knack Question: What's My Rank?

Post by Tattered Rags » Fri Oct 12, 2018 7:05 pm

Panda wrote:
Fri Oct 12, 2018 6:58 pm
This is covered on p. 76 under the note following the talents entry.
Thanks!
Adventure I'm running:
Under the Stars

Adventure GM post-mortem:
Under the Stars Postmortem

Post Reply