Archmage mastery of shaping question

[Cinta]

Hello All,
So as I understand based on the bgtscc wiki description, Mastery of Shaping doesn't work with most conjuration and mind effecting spells.
I didn't chose any archmage feat yet so I don't know, is this the case on the server also?
If yes, what is the reason for that?

Thinking on power balance reasons, I wouldn't think that evocation spells are that weaker than e.g. conjuration, so I don't understand why would it be needed to make such an advantage for one school.

On RP reasons, I don't see the difference between a fireball and an acid fog in this regard, why would you be able to control the targets of the first, but not the second? Not working for enchantment spells are even more strange for me, as those effect the minds of individuals directly, and not taking an effect by changing the properties of the environment.

Anyway, I am pretty new in playing a wizard anywhere in DnD, so it can happen that I overlooked something... =)

[chad878262]

It may actually be more about what can be done with scripting (not sure, not a dev). Basically cloud spells that apply x damage/malus per round may not be able to continue drawing from the Archmage shaping and thus wouldn't work right. Same might be said for Save or X spells.

A dev could answer for sure, but the other 'simple' explanation might be that it was developed based on PnP. However, I do not know if that is true or not. My guess would be it is one of the two that would be the culprit for why the ability only works for certain spells.

[Pimple]

Mastery of Shaping: The archmage can alter area and effect spells that use the following categories: burst, cone, cylinder, emanation, or spread.

The alteration consists of creating spaces within the spell's area or effect that are not subject to the spell. The minimum dimension for these spaces is a 3 foot cube. For example the archmage could cast a fireball and leave a hole where his ally stands, preventing any fire damage. Furthermore, any shapeable (S) spells have a minimum dimension of 5 feet, instead of 10 feet. This ability costs one 6th-level spell slot.

To be honest I have no idea what would constitute an emanation or spread spell?

[Sun Wukong]

To be honest I have no idea what would constitute an emanation or spread spell?

Burst, Emanation, or Spread

Most spells that affect an area function as a burst, an emanation, or a spread. In each case, you select the spell’s point of origin and measure its effect from that point.

A burst spell affects whatever it catches in its area, even including creatures that you can’t see. It can’t affect creatures with total cover from its point of origin (in other words, its effects don’t extend around corners). The default shape for a burst effect is a sphere, but some burst spells are specifically described as cone-shaped. A burst’s area defines how far from the point of origin the spell’s effect extends.

An emanation spell functions like a burst spell, except that the effect continues to radiate from the point of origin for the duration of the spell. Most emanations are cones or spheres.

A spread spell spreads out like a burst but can turn corners. You select the point of origin, and the spell spreads out a given distance in all directions. Figure the area the spell effect fills by taking into account any turns the spell effect takes.