So, I've read through the Ki chapter pretty thoroughly, maybe not-so-much the one on Magic, but there are a couple of things that stand out that don't quite click in my brain. I apologize if these issues have been brought up before.

In relation to Ki, could someone please explain to me how Optional Characteristics work when it comes to designing Techniques? The rules on it seem kind of vague, and my brain is torn between two interpretations.

For example, if I wanted to give myself a Technique that included a +50 bonus to initiative, it would normally cost me 2 Ki points from my Agility pool. However, if I wanted to switch which pool it came from (Dexterity, for example), it adds to the cost (by +1). Does this mean that the entire Agility cost gets converted and then modified (for a total of 3 Dexterity Ki), or are points transferred one at a time and modified individually (resulting in 4 Dexterity Ki)?

As for magic, the concept of Magic Level is eluding me. According to the table on page112 of the core rulebook, a mage with Intelligence 8 has a maximum Magic Level of 30. Does this mean that a starting character automatically has Magic Level 30 as a consequence of his Intelligence, or is there an expenditure of DP needed in order to gain Magic Level?

And one more question that just came to mind. Unless I'm mistaken somewhere, a character needs "The Gift" Advantage in order to use magic (summoning as well?), and an expenditure of Martial Knowledge is needed in order to gain the "Use of Ki" Ability before gaining access to other Abilities and Techniques. What about Psionics? Is there some option/cost characters need to take before they can use psychic abilities?

Thanks in advance for any replies on these subjects.

GrayJester23 said:

You need either:

1. Access to One Discipline [page 15] or
2. Access to Natural Psychic Power [page 16] or
3. Free Access to Any Psychic Discipline

You don't nead the gift to use summoning abilities, but if you are going to play a summoner then I would suggest you take either the gift or see supernatural.

GrayJester23 said:

The optional characteristics for Ki Techniques, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, is splitting the Ki cost. The Primary stat has to remain but other can be added to reduce the cost on that one stat, albeit with the modifier listed. That's why most Techniques shown have a couple abilities and a cost coming from 3 different stats.

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As for magic, the concept of Magic Level is eluding me. According to the table on page112 of the core rulebook, a mage with Intelligence 8 has a maximum Magic Level of 30. Does this mean that a starting character automatically has Magic Level 30 as a consequence of his Intelligence, or is there an expenditure of DP needed in order to gain Magic Level?

The answer to this one is both, The character would begin with that level of ML, but could increase it at a rate of 5 ML per 5 DP at 10% of their alotted DP.

For the Ki costs, the secondary cost is if you wanted to add another characteristic to the pool to help pay Ki costs. In your example, you'd add one additional Ki to the total cost, then could split the 3 Ki up between Dex and Agility as you wished, so you could pay 2 Dex. Ki and 1 Agi. Ki to pay for the ability, or could pay 3 Dex. Ki, or 2 Agi. and 1 Dex. (though why you'd choose that option, I'm not entirely sure, as it'd be cheaper then to just not do the Dex Ki).

For the Magic Level, keep in mind the ability to spend DP on ML is not in the base book, it's in Arcana Exxet, which isn't out in English yet. It's a rule translated from the Spanish version, but they do have the same one regarding MK in Dominus Exxet. Essentially, you can pay DP for ML at the rate of 5 DP for 5 ML, with the stipulation you may only spend 10% of your DP, and that it gets figured into DP spent on Supernatural Abilities.

If you do not (or the GM doesn't allow you to) spend DP on ML, you only have the ML determined by your Intelligence, and the only way to raise it is by increasing your Intelligence with the characteristic point you get every even level.

First, I can't understand why a GM wouldn't allow an OFFICIAL RULE (spending DPs for ML) to apply simply because it's written in a different language.

Second, always in Arcana Exxet is an Advantage roughly translated as GRADUAL MAGIC LEARNING that costs 2CP and grants +5ML each Level. If you're GM is not allowing you to play NON-human races (like Sylvain, Duk'Zarist, or Devah), your starting INT cannot be higher than 10, meaning that spending 2CP on a +2INT would grant you +50ML, meaning Gradual Magic Learning becomes better than a "simple" +2INT only after your character reaches Level10. Nevertheless, nothing impedes stacking of Improved INT AND Gradual Magic Learning...

Arikail said:

So what you're telling me, just for sake of clarification, is that the Optional Characteristic modifier is applied to the base cost, but then that total can be divided between the two stats as the creator sees fit?

And for Magic Level, if a character starts with an Intelligence of 10 and therefore 50 ML, does that mean he or she automatically starts with all 25 spells he or she is entitled to?

as to whether the character starts with all of the spells they can have is up to the GM. the book even suggests that GMs running more casual games should not allow their spellcasters to spend all of their magic levels right away, but under normal situations then they would be allowed to spend their ML all at the beginning.

as for the ki, yes, once you add the additional cast to the pool you can put any of the ki cost split between the other characteristics, or even put them all into the additional one if you want, you don't have to leave one in the original if you don't want to.

Thanks to everyone for the information, it's all been very helpful. My friend has started up a game, and this has helped me clear up some issues with my character (a technician). I'll definitely be stopping back if I need any more answers.