Talk:Spell Channeling

When I wiki'd what was essentially a discussion of Faster Casting, I eliminated the proof that Spell Channeling does not always come with a casting penalty. For example, "Some artifacts, such as the Arcane Shield, have Faster Casting +1, meaning that the item actually increases, the caster's casting speed.""

The problem with that "proof" is that I believe a Faster Casting of +1 only counters the inherent casting penalty. It should read, "Some artifacts, such as the Arcane Shield, have Faster Casting +1, which means that the inherent penalty is canceled and the item actually has no effect on the caster's casting speed." However, I don't know that for a fact. Anyone care to opine? --Ceruleus 23:09, 12 April 2008 (PDT)

What you see is what you get. If an item displays FC+1, it gives you FC+1. If the penalty is simply "canceled out" you'll won't see FC on the item at all (even if the property is technically attached to it).

Really a channeling item displaying FC+1 has a bonus of two, but it's reduced to one thanks to the channeling penalty.

There was some talk (read: complaints) in the Stratics forum regarding how items created with runic kits/hammers didn't seem to be appearing with their full set of properties. This "hidden" property was one of the explanations (along with the Mage Armor property being given to leather armor). There's a brief note on the matter in the sixth post here:

Spell Channeling: Allows the character to wield the weapon and cast a Magical spell, but increases 
the casting time slightly; item shows the "Spell Channeling" property PLUS a "Faster Casting -1" 
property that is included as part of the determination. The -1 may be offset with the Faster Casting
property on equipment, or if rolled as a property at the same time as Spell Channeling (in which 
case only the Spell Channeling Property is displayed, with no "Faster Casting" property showing - 
these are typically referred to as "SC No Penalty" or "SC-FC0" weapons). Also occurs on shields.

- Bomb Bloke 23:33, 12 April 2008 (PDT)

When the Spell Channeling property is generated on an item it always comes with -1 Faster Casting. The -1 Faster Casting disappears when the item is also generated with 1 Faster Casting. Artifacts are special because the developers specify the exact properties. Thus it is possible to have a Spell Channeling item with 1 Faster Casting or anything they want to put on it. Thus, unless it is an artifact, the item either has -1 or 0 Faster Casting. - JC the Builder 12:55, 13 April 2008 (PDT)

So would you say, "Some artifacts, such as the Arcane Shield, have Faster Casting +1, which means that the inherent penalty is canceled and the item actually has no effect on the caster's casting speed." - --Ceruleus 16:36, 13 April 2008 (PDT)

But the 1 Faster Casting does have an effect, it gives the user +1 faster casting. The properties explain what you have. If it says -1, you have -1. If it doesn't have the faster casting property it doesn't affect casting speed. If it has 1 faster casting it reduces casting time slightly. - JC the Builder 17:10, 13 April 2008 (PDT)

When dealing with normal, spawned items, Spell Channeling automatically rolls with Faster Casting -1. If the item then rolls with Faster Casting 1, the -1 and the +1 cancel each other out, leaving you with no Faster Casting displayed at all. The Arcane Shield is a special case. It probably has Faster Casting 2 on it, but 1 of that is cancelled out by the fact that is has Spell Channeling. Not to mention the fact that it was hardcoded by a dev team member at some point, and they can make an item with Faster Casting 28423049 on it if they like. --Cogniac 18:12, 13 April 2008 (PDT)

The Boomstick, Staff of the Magi and the Swords of Prosperity are other artifacts that grant FC+1 in addition to spell channeling. There may even be others, but none I can think of off the top of my head.

I've never seen a non-artifact set up that way so I suppose you could say it's only possible with artifacts (which aren't subject to any of the property limitations applied to other items - For example, only artifact mage weapons can give a penalty of less then -21 skill).

- Bomb Bloke 19:00, 13 April 2008 (PDT)

FCR?

I thought we were talking about FC not FCR. --Ceruleus 04:36, 14 April 2008 (PDT)

Er, don't mind me. Got the term "Faster Casting Rate" stuck in my head. Fixed things up.

- Bomb Bloke 05:01, 14 April 2008 (PDT)