Heyos,

As mentioned in Announcements, part of the TM messaging update is the conversion of Ice Patch from a contested spell to a pure TM spell. The mechanics were changed very drastically, but in appearance the spell should look somewhat similar. Here is a summary of the changes:

1. Contest is now TM instead of SvA.

2. The spell will always knock the target down if it hits, rather than potentially causing only balance loss.

3. The spell inflicts damage based on the TM contest, rather than being entirely random. The more skilled you are, the more damage is done.

4. The spell no longer causes immobilization, and the stuns are a product of the TM calculations rather than being arbitrarily assigned by the spell.

None of its restrictions were specifically changed, though the penalty for affecting quadrupeds (which never really worked very well) was removed. Those that are immune to cold and that have no legs will still refuse to slip and fall.

Ice Patch is indeed losing a lot of its power as a disabler, but it does gain some worthwhile advantages, especially if you have the skill but not the stats. A guaranteed knockdown with damage is arguably better than the previous spell's chancy and often random effects. It also offers those specializing in the Water book a chance at a higher-tier TM spell.

I do realize that the changes to this spell will be quite unpopular with some of you. The mandate for change, however, indicated that the spell either lose its damaging potential to remain SvA or become full TM to keep its damage. I decided that removing the damage while keeping it as a disabler was utterly unrealistic and would steal quite a bit of charm from this classic.

In the end, I found it far more palatable to convert the spell to full TM and retain some of its potential as a disabler rather than cling to it as if it were the guild's only disabling spell and trying to find some way of forcing it to fit the new paradigm.

You're welcome to disagree and debate the decision among yourselves, but bear in mind that this is a permanent change and I did not make this choice lightly. What's done is done, and I think it's better to look forward to new and better things than to cling to the fading past.

I will be keeping an eye on the new version of the spell, so if there are specific issues with this version of Ice Patch not working the way it should, feel free to let me know.


- GM Wythor

What goes up
is futile --
unless it goes out