imported>DAID: /* Open Casting */

2024-09-21T13:23:26Z

Open Casting

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{{Verbinfo
|verb = CAST
|type = System
|system = Magic
}}

{{boldmono| CAST }}is a [[verb]] used to initiate magical [[spell]]s. Each spell must be {{boldmono|[[PREPARE]]d}} before being {{boldmono|CAST}}. Players should be fully aware of which spell their characters have prepared before {{boldmono|CASTing}}, as there are no safeguards preventing casting offensive magic at one's self or companions. Likewise there are no safeguards against casting defensive magic at enemies.

== Usage ==

*{{boldmono|CAST}}
::''Casts the [[#Open Casting|open/untargeted cast]] version of a prepared spell if such a version exists; otherwise, casts the spell with the caster's self as the target.
::'''''Warning''': For attack spells which have no open cast version, there is no safeguard against harming oneself!''
*{{boldmono|CAST {target} }} or {{boldmono|CAST AT {target} }}
::''Casts a prepared spell at the specified target.
*{{boldmono|CAST TARGET}}
::''Casts a prepared spell at the predetermined target if the [[TARGET (verb)|TARGET]] verb was used. If not, a new target will be selected automatically.''

Casting a spell usually incurs 3 seconds of [[cast roundtime]], during which the caster may not attack or cast other spells but can still move around or change stance.

== Alternative Casting Verbs ==

Some spells have different modes that can be activated with alternative verbs.

*{{boldmono|[[CHANNEL]]}} - ''Casts an enhanced version of a spell, typically a [[warding]] attack. Incurs 3 seconds of hard [[roundtime]].''
*{{boldmono|[[EVOKE]]}} - ''Casts a different version of a spell, for example switching between elements or [[bolt]]/warding. Does not incur hard roundtime.''
*{{boldmono|[[INCANT]]}} - ''Combines the prepare and cast steps into one command and can also be customized by spell to automatically cast a specific alternative version of a spell (open cast, channel, or evoke).''
*{{boldmono|[[SUMMON]]}} - ''Specifies a type of creature or object for summoning spells.''

== Open Casting ==

An '''open cast''' spell is one for which the caster does not specify a target when {{boldmono|CAST}}ing, in contrast with '''focused''' (or "closed") casts where the caster chooses a single target. Open cast spells may either affect an entire room (in some cases even adjacent rooms) or a limited number of characters or creatures. Many of these spells are [[area of effect]] spells.

Some spells have both open and closed cast versions. For example, [[Energy Maelstrom (710)]] has both an open and a focused version. The open version when {{boldmono|CAST}} can damage any creature in the room, the {{boldmono|EVOKE}}d version will hit all targets (including non-grouped players), and the focused version only damages a specific target.

Some open cast spells have a skill-based limit on the maximum number of targets. One such spell is [[Pious Trial (1602)]], which has a maximum number determined by the caster's training in [[Spiritual Lore, Blessings]]. With no skill ranks in lores, the caster can only attempt to affect a single target even when open casting.

==Multicast==
{{main|Multicast}}
{{:Multicast}} For example, a [[cleric]] with 25 ranks of [[Spiritual Mana Control]] can cast two shots of [[Spirit Warding I (101)]] simultaneously:

<pre{{log2}}>
>prepare 101
You gesture while calling upon the lesser spirits to aid you with the Spirit Warding I spell...
Your spell is ready.

>cast rolton 2
You make a complex gesture at a rolton, increasing the potency of your spell.
A light blue glow surrounds a rolton.
</pre>

==See Also==
*[[Verb:INCANT|INCANT]]
*[[Verb:CHANNEL|CHANNEL]]
*[[Verb:EVOKE|EVOKE]]
*[[Verb:CAST/saved posts|Saved posts]]
*[[MANA (saved post)]]

[[Category:Magic]]

Verb:CAST - Revision history

imported>DAID: /* Open Casting */