Very well- in terms of furlongs per fortnight, that is. Not so well in terms of barleycorns per jiffy, though. 
The big problem with one submunition sucking in others is that they all start from the same place, and leave at roughly the same speed. How do you ensure that a) one hits the enemy, and b) the rest are still available to re-vector?
Targeting with Argus is quite possible, since it's half the point of the system. The problem is that what I can automate is rather limited; I could do the mathemagical equivalent of 'See this target? Your vector is the least-distance bearing from where you are to its current location', and let Mal do the updating, but the result would be rather lacking. Probably could be fooled into running into me, for one thing, or into walls at the very least. There is a reason why mages learn to guide shooting spells personally- the human element is what puts the 'smart' in 'smart missile'.
That one's on the agenda, but requires a good bit more control.
I like this concept. Probably wouldn't work against a prepared enemy, but it sounds like the sort of cheap trick I'd want to have a bushel or two of handy.
But how effective is matter at blocking magic? My understanding/headcanon is that ripping up firmament to block magic is a lot like trying to block synchro cannon shots with iron shields. If you get a big enough one, it's possible... but there are better ways to do it. Charging with a hunk of land in front of me would be both obscuring my view and not protecting me all that much.
**********
"Hey, Little Bro! How's it going?"Sigh. Not again.
I paused the simulations I had going, and turned my Absurdly Comfy Chair (tm) around. Sure enough, there was Sein... the top half of her, at least, sticking out of the ceiling like, well, something that hangs upside-down from ceilings.
I've been mathing for two days straight. I can't metaphor right now.
"...grinding to a screeching halt, as they usually do when I'm interrupted. Come to bother your older brother some more?"
Since the end of the rescue mission, Sein and I had fallen into a pattern. She'd show up at the strangest times, through whatever surface she thought would be most amusing at the time, and make cracks about my apparent relative youth.
Try saying that one three times fast.
I'd, of course, pretend to be upset about that or shocked about her sudden entrance (or, on one memorable occasion, both), and then rub her nose in the fact that I've been alive for about fifty times as long as she has. Once we had the formalities out of the way (so to speak), we'd move on to other things.
"Yep!" She dropped out of my ceiling, landing in a crouch. The crouch left her in a perfect position to spring forward, leaping straight at me with her arms outstretched. It was a remarkably fast maneuver, and it left me completely blindsided.
The next thing I remember was being wrapped in a remarkably affectionate hug. I'm a bit of a hypocrite; I don't generally like to be touched, but I've always had a weakness for a good hug... and what Sein was lacking in technique, she more than made up for in feeling. I would've gladly savored the experience- my first hug in a year and a half or so- if I'd been given the chance.
Unfortunately, I'd rezzed up a rolling chair, and Sein had leapt at me rather forcefully. We went sliding backwards for half a second before the chair finally overbalanced, flipping over onto its back. Sein and I tumbled on a bit further, coming to a stop right next to the wall in a tangle of limbs.
Neither of us said anything for a few seconds. Sein had hit her head on the wall, so she had a good excuse. Me, on the other hand...This is the PERFECT time for a deadpan snide remark. Which one, though? I don't think she's ever heard of Twister, so that's out. Don't want to imply anything untoward, so there goes the next four ideas. Quick, say something!
"Ow."
I really dropped the ball on that one.
My Unitarian Jihad Name is: Brother Atom Bomb of Courteous Debate. Get yours.
I've been writing a bit.
The big problem with one submunition sucking in others is that they all start from the same place, and leave at roughly the same speed. How do you ensure that a) one hits the enemy, and b) the rest are still available to re-vector?
Targeting with Argus is quite possible, since it's half the point of the system. The problem is that what I can automate is rather limited; I could do the mathemagical equivalent of 'See this target? Your vector is the least-distance bearing from where you are to its current location', and let Mal do the updating, but the result would be rather lacking. Probably could be fooled into running into me, for one thing, or into walls at the very least. There is a reason why mages learn to guide shooting spells personally- the human element is what puts the 'smart' in 'smart missile'.
That one's on the agenda, but requires a good bit more control.
I like this concept. Probably wouldn't work against a prepared enemy, but it sounds like the sort of cheap trick I'd want to have a bushel or two of handy.
But how effective is matter at blocking magic? My understanding/headcanon is that ripping up firmament to block magic is a lot like trying to block synchro cannon shots with iron shields. If you get a big enough one, it's possible... but there are better ways to do it. Charging with a hunk of land in front of me would be both obscuring my view and not protecting me all that much.
**********
"Hey, Little Bro! How's it going?"Sigh. Not again.
I paused the simulations I had going, and turned my Absurdly Comfy Chair (tm) around. Sure enough, there was Sein... the top half of her, at least, sticking out of the ceiling like, well, something that hangs upside-down from ceilings.
I've been mathing for two days straight. I can't metaphor right now.
"...grinding to a screeching halt, as they usually do when I'm interrupted. Come to bother your older brother some more?"
Since the end of the rescue mission, Sein and I had fallen into a pattern. She'd show up at the strangest times, through whatever surface she thought would be most amusing at the time, and make cracks about my apparent relative youth.
Try saying that one three times fast.
I'd, of course, pretend to be upset about that or shocked about her sudden entrance (or, on one memorable occasion, both), and then rub her nose in the fact that I've been alive for about fifty times as long as she has. Once we had the formalities out of the way (so to speak), we'd move on to other things.
"Yep!" She dropped out of my ceiling, landing in a crouch. The crouch left her in a perfect position to spring forward, leaping straight at me with her arms outstretched. It was a remarkably fast maneuver, and it left me completely blindsided.
The next thing I remember was being wrapped in a remarkably affectionate hug. I'm a bit of a hypocrite; I don't generally like to be touched, but I've always had a weakness for a good hug... and what Sein was lacking in technique, she more than made up for in feeling. I would've gladly savored the experience- my first hug in a year and a half or so- if I'd been given the chance.
Unfortunately, I'd rezzed up a rolling chair, and Sein had leapt at me rather forcefully. We went sliding backwards for half a second before the chair finally overbalanced, flipping over onto its back. Sein and I tumbled on a bit further, coming to a stop right next to the wall in a tangle of limbs.
Neither of us said anything for a few seconds. Sein had hit her head on the wall, so she had a good excuse. Me, on the other hand...This is the PERFECT time for a deadpan snide remark. Which one, though? I don't think she's ever heard of Twister, so that's out. Don't want to imply anything untoward, so there goes the next four ideas. Quick, say something!
"Ow."
I really dropped the ball on that one.
My Unitarian Jihad Name is: Brother Atom Bomb of Courteous Debate. Get yours.
I've been writing a bit.