For those spells/blessings that are not opposed, say Magic Dart for example, is the check only modified by the difficulty modifier on the card and conditions with no basic difficulty? The Action Card definitions make clear the upper left indicator is not the challenge level of the action but a modifier.

So, for example, if you're not engaged, there's no way with Magic Dart you can generate the 2 bane outcome (this applies to some other spells too). Unless there are circumstance misfortune dice at work.

I thought unless checks specifically said they were special only count number of successes they were always against either a fixed or opposed challenge level but I can't find anything about this for spells. If you treated them like Ranged Attacks it would be starting Easy, 1d?

Rob

Per page 2 of the Errata/FAQ:

Actions: Default Challenge Level
Unless indicated otherwise, the default challenge level for Melee
Attack and Ranged Attack actions is Easy (1d). Unless indicated
otherwise, the default difficulty for other actions, such as casting a
spell or invoking a blessing, is Simple (0d). The GM is still the final
arbiter of a task’s challenge level, and may adjust these to suit the
story and the particular task at hand.

Deltabob said:

Actually that's a bit misleading. You also need the second paragraph:

"An action that is listed as “vs. Target Defence” is not an opposed check – it is based on the Easy (1d) default difficulty, similar to how Melee Attack and Ranged Attack actions are resolved. In addition to this default difficulty, the dice pool may be modified by the target’s Defence rating, as well as by the action’s difficulty modifier."

As such, a Spell that is listed as "vs Defence" like Magic Dart has a default difficulty of Easy (1d) similar to a Ranegd Attack, not Simple (0d).

This is supported by the example of the Great Fires of U'Zhul. It has an deafult difficulty of Easy (1d) for being a "vs Defence" Action, +1<P> for its difficulty modifer and +1 for Defence.

Thanks, silly me not checking FAQ.

Though Magic Dart is not a vs Defence spell in its text so would be "Simple" 0d. Handy then, 5 Willpower wizard can use it two rounds running for auto damage at no risk before having to channel (5-3 =2, +1 end of round = 3 again to use it next round). Foes will be wanting to close with that wizard.

Rob