Anshar-specific Benediction of the Gods buff?

From my perspective there are 3 keys to a final decision.

1. It’s one option on a Tier I spell
2. Keep it simple
3. Avoid broken combos

As such I would say that someone under the effect of the spell has their maximum woulds increased. The primary benefit is in avoiding being vanquished by wounds. Some characters have low defenses / AR so it could be used to help keep that PC up.

There are times when an NPC has been vanquished by wounds or is in danger of it. The benediction would help the NPC as well. I can think of at least one mod where that would come in very handy.

When the spell ends the wound goes away and all real damage taken is still present resulting in vanquishing if necessary. I would allow the spell to be maintained from scene to scene if the plan is to get a critically wounded ally to appropriate healing so that a character isn’t put in jeopardy at the turning of a page.

This approach eliminates endless wounds, avoids errata (though probably still an FAQ) and seems in line with the power of the spell.

With a sweep of his hat,

Paul

I don’t think the Anshar Benediction would be used outside of a BI even with the more generous “phantom wound” interpretation. The other benefits, on average, will be far more useful.

In a BI, it would be extremely useful as a “phantom wound”. However, in some scenes, I don’t think it would be possible to keep it up for everyone in the group. In my experience, it seems like wounds in BIs are most often dealt in batches in certain encounters.

If it simply raises the max wounds, the only time I can ever see it being used is if someone is down to 1 wound left in a BI. On the other hand, it’s entirely possible they would just want to risk dropping and have someone cast Stabilize on them (healing 1-2 wounds).

It is 1 option of a tier 1 spell (so shouldn’t be too powerful) but, to me, all options need to be useful (of course, some of the others (Fire Dragon) are only situationally marginally useful).

In any case, it would be good to get an official ruling so everyone knows how it’s supposed to work.

I don’t think the Anshar Benediction would be used outside of a BI even with the more generous “phantom wound” interpretation. The other benefits, on average, will be far more useful.

In a BI, it would be extremely useful as a “phantom wound”. However, in some scenes, I don’t think it would be possible to keep it up for everyone in the group. In my experience, it seems like wounds in BIs are most often dealt in batches in certain encounters.

If it simply raises the max wounds, the only time I can ever see it being used is if someone is down to 1 wound left in a BI. On the other hand, it’s entirely possible they would just want to risk dropping and have someone cast Stabilize on them (healing 1-2 wounds).

It is 1 option of a tier 1 spell (so shouldn’t be too powerful) but, to me, all options need to be useful (of course, some of the others (Fire Dragon) are only situationally marginally useful).

In any case, it would be good to get an official ruling so everyone knows how it’s supposed to work.

I agree across the board. I think even with the phantom wound interpretation this benediction is average power in modules, but in a BI it is extremely valuable. And I think that’s OK, since it’s only really shining in rare occasions (BI’s). If it just ups your maximum, then in some ways its just briefly delaying the healing of your wounds by mend wounds, and it’s hard to run when the spell expires. With that interpretation, it’s just better to get a benediction to up your fortitude or AV to hope to either not be hit, or to not take a wound when you do. Personally, I think it is better to let this usually mediocre ability have its day to shine.

But I agree, we’ve pretty much talked it to death and all we can hope for is an official ruling.

Thanks for letting us know that it is being thought about Matt.

Thanks Matt. Can this be added to the FAQ? Also, I’d recommend putting it on the campaign site under news so that event organizers see it even if they’re not on the forums.

With a sweep of his hat,

Paul