*Nods at Transient Guest* Harry Dresden is replaced by Granny Weatherwax

[Wjowski]

Yes, but the reason it's normally not done is because it's a really bad idea, not because it doesn't work.

Though it still doesn't explain why even guys like McCoy and the Merlin still need those fancy staves and jewelry.

[Omegalith]

Though it still doesn't explain why even guys like McCoy and the Merlin still need those fancy staves and jewelry.

Not really: It helps.

Just like Harry casts fire spells without his blasting rod a few times and complains about how much harder it is.

Plus, a better mage can make better focus items, so by the time you've got to that level you can make staves and jewelry of legendary quality.

[Wjowski]

Not really: It helps.

Just like Harry casts fire spells without his blasting rod a few times and complains about how much harder it is.

Plus, a better mage can make better focus items, so by the time you've got to that level you can make staves and jewelry of legendary quality.

At this point I must admit I'd forgotten what we were originally arguing about.

[The Drunkard Kid]

The Blackstaff seems to give McCoy some degree of immunity to the negative psychological/physiological effects of breaking the Laws of Magic, in exchange for at least a temporary physical corruption. OTOH, Granny doesn't suffer any sort of negative side-effects from doing things that would arguably count as breaking the Laws of Magic, so if that still holds true, then she's at least got that much open to her.

As for taking on an army, the last time she faced down with a horde of vampires, she brought a phoenix with her, after screwing around with their minds by possessing her own blood. That should help in the Changes situation (if it ever came to that, which it won't because that situation isn't remotely applicable to her), assuming she can get a similar set up.

OTOH, if she talks to Uriel and he manages to convince her that there is a benevolent God out there, then she will probably jump into His service and go full out Knight Templar and have to be put down by the Council and/or the Church, going by her comments to that effect in Carpe Jugulum.