FixTheSolarCharmTrees/WhirlwindOfSearingBlows

Official Charm

Whirlwind of Searing Blows</b>

<b>Cost: 7 motes, 1 Willpower
Duration: One scene
Type: Supplemental
Min. Melee: 4
Min. Essence: 3
Prereqs: Fire and Stones Strike

Increases damage on weapon by user's Permanent Essence rating for a scene. Less than exceptional weapons fall apart at the end of one scene; only weapons made of the Five Magical Materials can stand up to repeated uses of the Charm. - Castebook: Dawn, p. 74

Clebo's version

Whirlwind of Searing Blows</b>

<b>Cost: 5 motes
Duration: One scene
Type: Simple
Min. Melee: 5
Min. Essence: 3
Prereqs: Fire and Stones Strike

As the weapon itself is imbued with essence and power, the Solar improves her capability to deal damage. The weapon glows with an illuminous power of a torch. For the rest of the scene, the weapon's damage is increased by her Melee score, and the minimum damage rolls are equal to her permanent Essence score. Alternatively, the scores can be interchanged, so that damage is increased by Essence score, and minimum damage is her Melee score. This choice is made when the charm is activated, and cannot be changed without re-activating the charm again. Furthermore, the weapon becomes unbreakable for the rest of the scene. Weapons charged with this power invariably breaks at the end of the scene, unless it is made of one of the five magical materials.

Clebo's version

1. Clebo

Comments

Again, I have powered up an expensive charm to keep up with the recent MA publications. In this case, the comparison is Violet Bier of Sorrows. Also, the possibility to choose strategy improves the usability of this charm for those who do not rely on dealing massive damage, but pinging the opponents to death instead. Furthermore, the name of the charm is confusing, I thought it improved the number of attacks made or somesuch. I suggest, Essence-laden Weapon Technique. Also, I thought the type and duration was strange in the official version, supplemental and scene-long. Seems odd to me. Thus, I made the charm simple, instead of supplemental, and increased the minimum Melee score. I'm sure that some of you have comments on the cost, similar to the Iron Skin Concentration debate. Finally, I'd be more than happy to vote for more clever and original versions. - Clebo

Under Power Combat, everyone gets their permanent Essence rating in minimum damage dice anyway, making that particular choice in your Charm mechanics a little dubious. I see no reason not to simply make the second option the default; other than that your version seems fine. ~ Grandmasta

Suppose I don't use Power Combat, then? Not everyone does. ~Andrew02

Purple Beer style is unbalanced, in my opinion, and thus I don't like to balance anything based on it. It should be way, way higher than what it is... the rest of the celestial martial arts all have less pure power. I do like this charm, but I'd probably make it a (stackable ^_^) extension of WoSB, since solar trees are often like that.
-- Darloth

Your comparison is adequate the day that WOSB disallows armor and strictly limits your weapon choices. Looking at the benefits of MA and ignoring the limitations is a sure route to the mistaken cry of "MA R UBER" that too many people call out. -- BillGarrett