V9: Casting

This page is part of the Official Amtgard V9 Alpha-Playtest Rulebook.

• The Amtwiki is the official home and primary source for Amtgard V9 Rules as of February 25, 2023.
• These rules are currently in Open Alpha Playtest. See the Playtest Disclaimer for more details.
• To learn more about Amtgard V9 Development, please visit Amtgard.com.
• To view the current Amtgard V8 ruleset, please see the Amtgard V8 Rulebook.

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Casting (How to use Abilities)

In the game of Amtgard, there is no functional difference between abilities that represent a physical feat and those that represent magic or spells. As such, following terms are interchangeable when referring to abilities:

• “ability” and “spell”
• “user” and “caster”
• “using”, “casting”, and “incanting”

HOW TO CAST - STEP-BY-STEP

A Wizard attempts to cast a spell.

In order to use or “cast” an ability, you must complete the following steps. If any part of this process is interrupted, performed incorrectly, or if an effect suddenly prevents you from casting, the casting attempt fails and no effects will occur. If you wish to attempt to cast the ability again, you must restart from the beginning.

1. Don’t Move Your Feet: You must not move your feed while casting. Casting is immediately interrupted if you move your feet in any significant way. Minor movements, such as adjusting your balance, will not interrupt casting. Some effects can allow abilities to be cast while moving.


2. Have a Free Hand: You must have a Free Hand for the duration of your cast. Casting is immediately interrupted if you no longer have a Free Hand. Abilities marked with ⬗ do not require a free hand.


3. Identify the Target: When casting a verbal or enchantment ability on another player, you must clearly point and state their name or a unique descriptor that precisely identifies them.
   • Ideal descriptors include class-name, clothing, and/or carried items.
   • Insensitive or derogatory nicknames/descriptors are not acceptable.
   • Pointing can be done with weapons or items in hand. It does not need to be your Free Hand.
   • Pointing is only required while you are identifying the target. The pointing does not need to be maintained throughout the cast.
   • You are responsible to make their best effort to convey your intended target fairly and in good faith via a combination of both spoken word and pointing/gesturing.
   • Strike-based abilities such as Spellballs, do not require a target since the target is defined by striking them.
   
   
4. Say the Ability-Specific Incantation: Speak the unique, ability-specific lines listed in the Incantation section of the ability description.


5. Speak Loud and Clear: All spoken components must be said loud and clear enough to be heard and understood within 50ft or by the target, whichever is closer. If the target is closer than 20ft, the casting must still be heard and understood clearly out to at least 20ft.
   • Mispronunciation, improper wording, omitting words, insufficient volume, or a gap of more than two seconds between words will interrupt casting.
   • Always remember that battlefields can be chaotic and each player will process sensations differently. Casters and their targets should act in good faith when determining what is loud or clear enough. When in doubt, refer to the Battlefield Etiquette.
   
   
6. End with the target in Range and Line of Sight: The target must in Range and Line of Sight at the moment the incantation is complete. If so, the ability will impart its effects on to the target. If not, the ability fails and has no effect.


7. The Ability is Expended: One use of the ability is expended as soon as the incantation is finished, even if the target is immune, resistant, out of range, out of line-of-sight, or otherwise unaffected by the ability.