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{{about|a list of frequently-asked questions|a list of articles that address frequently-asked questions|[[:Category:FAQ]]}}
{{about|a list of frequently-asked questions|a list of articles that address frequently-asked questions|:Category:FAQ}}


If you would like a beginner's introduction to Ars Magica, please see our [[Welcome to Ars Magica]] page.
If you would like a beginner's introduction to [[Ars Magica]], please see [[Learning to Play]].


These questions, and answers, come from the Ars Magica [[Fan Community]].  The answers are unofficial but represent the best judgment of a large body of experienced players.
These questions, and answers, come from the Ars Magica [[Fan Community]].  The answers are unofficial but represent the best judgment of a large body of experienced players.
== Basic Questions ==
* What is [[Ars Magica]]?
* What is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabletop_role-playing_game tabletop roleplaying game]?


== The Ars Magica Product Line ==
== The Ars Magica Product Line ==
* When will there be an [[Ars Magica Sixth Edition]]?
* Is Ars Magica [[Upcoming products#Dead|out of print]]?
* [[Upcoming products|What are the future plans]] for Ars Magica products?
* What [[Products]] are available?
* What [[Products]] are available?
* [[Upcoming products|What ArM5 products are planned]] for the near future?
* Which Ars Magica book(s)[[Buying Guide | should I buy]]?
* Which Ars Magica book(s)[[Buying Guide | should I buy]]?
* [[Upcoming products#Frequently-Asked_Questions|Can one of the authors or playtesters leak details of (upcoming product)]]?
* [[Upcoming products#Frequently-Asked_Questions|Can one of the authors or playtesters leak details of (upcoming product)]]?
* Is there a [[D20 Ars Magica | d20 conversion for Ars Magica]]?
* Is there an [[D20 Ars Magica | OGL / D20 conversion for Ars Magica]]?
* Why do some of Ars Magica supplements have [[Hardcover | hard covers]] (and others have soft covers)?
* Why do some of Ars Magica supplements have [[Hardcover | hard covers]] (and others have soft covers)?
* What is the [[History of Ars Magica | history]] of the Ars Magica game?
* What is the [[History of Ars Magica | history]] of the Ars Magica game?
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* What is the [[Medieval Paradigm]]?
* What is the [[Medieval Paradigm]]?
* How is Ars Magica related to the [[World of Darkness]] (also known as Storyteller) games?
* How is Ars Magica related to the [[World of Darkness]] (also known as Storyteller) games?
** What is this about [[House_Tremere#Vampires | Tremere and vampires]]?
** What is this about [[House_Tremere#House_Tremere_and_Vampires | Tremere and vampires]]?
* How do I say (something) in [[Latin#HowToSay | Latin]]?
* How do I say (something) in [[Latin#HowToSay | Latin]]?
* In Ars Magica, are the [[Pagan Gods | pagan gods]] Magical, Faerie, or what?
* In Ars Magica, are the [[Pagan Gods | pagan gods]] Magical, Faerie, or what?
* Can you recommend some good [[Suggested Reading | reading material]] that can inform or inspire my Ars Magica game?
* Can you recommend some good [[Suggested Reading | reading material]] that can inform or inspire my Ars Magica game?


== [[Fan Community]] ==
== Fan Community ==
* Does Ars Magica have an active [[Fan Community]]?
* Does Ars Magica have an active [[Fan Community]]?
* [[size of the fan community | How many people]] make up the Ars Magica community?
* [[Fan_Community#Size_of_the_Fan_Community | How many people]] make up the Ars Magica community?
* How can I [[Fan_Community#FindPlayers | find a troupe]] to join?
* How can I [[Fan_Community#Finding_Players | find a troupe]] to join?
* Can one of the authors of (upcoming supplement) [[Products#LeakDetails | give us some inside details]]?
* Can one of the authors of (upcoming supplement) [[Upcoming products#Frequently-Asked_Questions | give us some inside details]]?
* Can I [[Writing Supplements | write a supplement]] for Ars Magica?
* Can I [[Writing Supplements | write a supplement]] for Ars Magica?
* [[Line Editor | Who is in charge]] of the Ars Magica product line?
* [[Line Editor | Who is in charge]] of the Ars Magica product line?
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Newcomers may also find the introduction to [[Game Mechanics]] informative.
Newcomers may also find the introduction to [[Game Mechanics]] informative.


* What are the differences between [[ArM5 Fourth Edition and Fifth Edition]]?
* What are the differences between [[Ars_Magica_Fifth_Edition#Differences_Between_Fifth_Edition_and_Fourth_Edition|Fourth Edition and Fifth Edition]]?


=== Rules Status ===
=== Rules Status ===
* [[Ars_Magica_Fifth_Edition#Errata|Are there Errata for Fifth Edition?]]
* [[Ars_Magica_Fifth_Edition#Errata|Are there Errata for Fifth Edition?]]
* I need an [[Rules#Official_Ruling|official ruling]] on (X)
* I need an [[Rules#"Official"_Rules_Answers|official ruling]] on (X)
* [[Ars_Magica_Fifth_Edition#Why_Removed|Why has (rule X) been removed from Fifth Edition?]]
* [[Ars_Magica_Fifth_Edition#Frequently-Asked_Questions|Why has (rule X) been removed from Fifth Edition?]]
* [[Ars_Magica_Fifth_Edition#Why_Changed|Why was (X) changed in (new edition / new product)]]?
* [[Ars_Magica_Fifth_Edition#Frequently-Asked_Questions|Why was (X) changed in (new edition / new product)]]?
* Are the [[Ars_Magica_Fifth_Edition#Continuity | older Tribunal books]] still useful?
* Are the [[Ars_Magica_Fifth_Edition#Continuity | older Tribunal books]] still useful?
* Will Atlas make available free downloads with [[Ars_Magica_Fifth_Edition#Free_Conversion | conversion stats]] for older supplements to Fifth Edition?
* Will Atlas make available free downloads with [[Ars_Magica_Fifth_Edition#Free_Conversion | conversion stats]] for older supplements to Fifth Edition?
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* Are the [[Minor Story Flaw|Minor Story Flaws]], like Blackmail and Animal Companion, really Flaws?
* Are the [[Minor Story Flaw|Minor Story Flaws]], like Blackmail and Animal Companion, really Flaws?
* Do Virtues that affect the way a character gains experience points - Wealthy, Secondary Insight, Elementalist, and so on - affect [[Experience Points#Starting|starting experience points]]?
* Do Virtues that affect the way a character gains experience points - Wealthy, Secondary Insight, Elementalist, and so on - affect [[Experience Points#Starting|starting experience points]]?
* Does the [[Puissant Ability]] Virtue affect what the character can teach and write? Does Puissant [[Magic Theory]] let a character use more vis in the lab?
* Does the [[Puissant Ability]] Virtue affect what the character can teach and write? Does Puissant [[Magic Theory (Ability)|Magic Theory]] let a character use more vis in the lab?
* How exactly does the [[Fast Caster]] Virtue work?
* How exactly does the [[Fast Caster]] Virtue work?
* What are the [[Shapeshifter Statistics|statistics for a shapeshifter]] (such as a [[House_Bjornaer|Bjornaer]] magus or a character with the [[Shapeshifter]] Virtue) in beast form?
* What are the [[Shapeshifter Statistics|statistics for a shapeshifter]] (such as a [[House_Bjornaer|Bjornaer]] magus or a character with the [[Shapeshifter]] Virtue) in beast form?
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* Shouldn't there be a die roll for non-fatiguing [[Spontaneous Spell|spontaneous magic]]?
* Shouldn't there be a die roll for non-fatiguing [[Spontaneous Spell|spontaneous magic]]?
* What is the [[Fast Cast Spontaneous Spell#Initiative|fast-casting speed roll]] (p. 83) for?
* What is the [[Fast Cast Spontaneous Spell#Initiative|fast-casting speed roll]] (p. 83) for?
{{anchor|Casting_from_text}}
* Can a magus [[Casting From Text | cast spells directly from a text]]?
* Can a magus [[Casting From Text | cast spells directly from a text]]?
* How does [[Multiple Casting]] work?
* How does [[Multiple Casting]] work?
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=== Combat ===
=== Combat ===
* Do Wound and Fatigue Penalty penalties apply to [[Soak#WoundPenalties]] totals?
* Do Wound and Fatigue Penalty penalties apply to [[Soak]] totals?
* Do Wound Penalties apply to [[Wound Recovery]] rolls?
* Do Wound Penalties apply to [[wound recovery]] rolls?
* Where are the rules for [[Crossbow | crossbows]]?
* Where are the rules for [[Crossbow | crossbows]]?
* The rules in [[Covenants]] say it takes a very long time to [[Crossbow#Reload | reload a crossbow]]. Are those times realistic?
* The rules in [[Covenants (Fifth Edition)|Fifth Edition Covenants]] say it takes a very long time to [[Crossbow#Reload | reload a crossbow]]. Are those times realistic?
* Why would anyone want to use a crossbow, when [[Longbow#CompareToCrossbow | longbows are so much better]]?
* Why would anyone want to use a crossbow, when [[Longbow#CompareToCrossbow | longbows are so much better]]?
* Where can I [[House Rules Links | find house rules]] for [[Crossbow | crossbows]] and/or [[Longbow | longbows]]?
* Where can I [[House Rules Links | find house rules]] for [[Crossbow | crossbows]] and/or [[Longbow | longbows]]?
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== Legacy Page ==
== Legacy Page ==
The history of this page before July 21, 2012 is located at http://legacy.redcap.org/page/faq
The history of this page before July 21, 2012 is located at [[Legacy:Faq]]
[[Category:FAQ]]

Latest revision as of 19:43, 4 November 2016

If you would like a beginner's introduction to Ars Magica, please see Learning to Play.

These questions, and answers, come from the Ars Magica Fan Community. The answers are unofficial but represent the best judgment of a large body of experienced players.

Basic Questions

The Ars Magica Product Line

Mythic Europe

Fan Community

Fifth Edition

Newcomers may also find the introduction to Game Mechanics informative.

Rules Status

Characters, Abilities, and Virtues and Flaws

Spells

Forms & Techniques

Spell Effects

Casting Spells

Questions on Specific Spells

Magic Resistance, Penetration, and Parma Magica

Most of the following questions are addressed in detail in the (lengthy) article on Magic Resistance.

Magic Resistance Mechanics

Penetration Mechanics

  • Do wards have to penetrate in order to keep out a creature with Magic Resistance?
  • Does Aegis of the Hearth have to penetrate in order to keep out a creature with Magic Resistance?

Design of Magic Resistance

Laboratory

Books, Study, and Experience

  • What is meant on p. 165 by " Summae: Source - Quality and Level?"

Combat

Miscellaneous Rules Questions

Fourth Edition (and earlier editions) Questions

  • How does the Parma Magica work in Fourth Edition?
  • Is Perdo Imaginem too easy?
  • "How do I use Range, Duration, and Target?"
  • Can my wizard create ritual spell to lift an entire mountain five hundred feet into the air permanently? If so, what level would it be?
  • Can a magus create a golem and switch minds with it and thus escape old age?
  • Is ice part of Aquam, or what?
  • "Is combat busted?"
  • A sample combat

Legacy Page

The history of this page before July 21, 2012 is located at Legacy:Faq