From:	mneideng@****.caltech.edu (Mark L. Neidengard)
Subject:	Re: just a thought
Date:	Tue, 26 Mar 1996 11:29:42 -0800 (PST)

According to Marizhavashti Kali:
> Then our definitions of munchkin will have to strongly differ. However,
> speaking of penalties; if you read the rules in the back, you will find
> that any who carry this equipment will likely develop multiple
> neurological difficulties and rapidly become unplayable.

It is possible that I'm taking an overly broad definition of munchkin; it's a
loaded term, but loaded in a way that expresses my personal opinion.
Obviously some group of people thought it was balanced, or it wouldn't have
made it into the book. =)

> Yes, this *has* dissuaded the "munchkins" in my game from taking such
> equipment. He stayed with Wired Reflexes.
>
> > Make its Essence cost greater and I might not protest so loudly. Cutting
> > back the Quickness bonus would also not be amiss (maybe to half a point per
> > half a level of Move by Wire).
>
> I see no difficulties with the Essence cost or Quickness bonus. The brain
> damage is a sufficient balancer.

Well, MBW 4 gives a total of +10 to reaction, +1 combat pool, and +4d6 to
Initiative, increases running speed by 12 meters per combat turn, and +4 dice
to those Athletic tests (possibly increasing running speed and dodging
capability) still further...that means the user is probably going to go at
an average of 30 or higher on Initiative, with Initiatives in the 40's not by
any means out of the question. The neurological damage is a considerable
barrier to such a system working, but if it _does_ work...well, let's just
say that you need a better Sentry gun than the ones listed in the book. =)

As for the Essence problem, if you (again talking about the top end) beta the
MBW 4, you've only spent 3.87 Essence, leaving room for all manner of other
nasty gadgets. =)

The price and availability alone do keep the MBW out of the hands of most PC's,
and the difficulty of finding someone will implant the stuff basically makes
it a NPC-realm item anyway. Very effective for creating "monsters", though
the system already supports quite a few of these. =) The idea is not
completely bad, it just is a lot more powerful than other competing items in
the game.
--
/!\/!ark /!\!eidengard, CS Major, VLSI. http://www.cacr.caltech.edu/~mneideng
"Fairy of sleep, controller of illusions" Operator/Jack-of-all-Trades, CACR
"Control the person for my own purpose." "Don't mess with the Dark
Elves!"
-Pirotess, _Record_of_Lodoss_War_ Shadowrunner and Anime Addict