[gurps] Regular vs Melee type spells question

[Eric Funk]

Assuming gurps 4e


> From M11 on Regular spell types:
>
> "If you cannot touch the subject, apply
> a skill penalty equal to your distance in
> yards from the subject; e.g., -5 at five
> yards. Figure distance at the moment you
> roll the dice for the spell."
>
> I've been playing this as Doolish casts
> at no penalty if he's next to the subject.
> Now I'm wondering if there should be a -1
> to skill if I'm not touching the subject.
>
> If we do decide to go this way, then I
> have a question about what I need to do
> to touch a subject that doesn't want to
> be touched?  I initially thought it would
> require a roll to hit; but that would
> make it no different than a Melee type
> spell.  from M11:

at less than 1 yard (3 feet), then the penalty is 0. A GM may enforce that 
<1.5 yards (1 1/2 feet) is required to round down to 0.

this is a reason to carry a Staff-enchanted two yard staff (see box p. 13). 
A full staff eliminates -2 in distance penalties for Regular spells, thus 
targets up to two yards away are effectively at "0" range for Regular 
spells.


> "Melee spells “charge” your hand or
> magic staff (see box) with harmful ener-
> gies that affect the first target you
> strike. These spells require two skill
> rolls: a roll against spell skill to cast the
> spell, and a normal melee attack roll to
> hit the target with your hand or staff."


> So, I can see it one of two ways.
> A. It requires a normal melee attack roll
> to touch someone who doesn't want to be
> touched.  A successful melee attack roll
> is required to successfully cast a Melee
> type spell.  A successful melee attack roll
> is not required to successfully cast a
> Regular type spell, but there will be a -1
> distance penalty to the effective skill of
> the spell.

yes, yes and no to your sentances.

> B. Casting a spell *and* attacking on
> the same round is what Melee type spells
> allow you to do.  Simply touching someone
> you're close to, for the purposes of a
> Regular type spell, is a free action that
> does no damage in and of itself.  The hit
> location will be of the "whatever target
> presents itself" (aka randomly selected)
> nature.  In general, you can't cast a
> Regular type spell and do damage with a
> melee attack in the same round.

no.
read M11, right column, paragraph 2:
cast the spell, then "On your /next/ turn, hold the spell or attack with 
it."

-
Eric Funk
"Knowledge Brings Fear" -- Motto of Mars University, Futurama