From:	Marizhavashti Kali <xenya@********.com>
Subject:	Re: just a thought
Date:	Tue, 26 Mar 1996 15:11:24 -0800 (PST)

On Tue, 26 Mar 1996, Mark L. Neidengard wrote:

> 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. =)

Truly... And yes, Munchkin is a loaded term. I dislike its usage for most
purposes simply because it fails to communicate the desired meaning.

> > 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

+2 Combat Pool...

> 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. =)

Well, I've seen abusive cyber-characters which can easily reach the same
bonuses *without* MBW 4, or that much essence, thanks to the Bioware in
Shadowtech.

> 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. =)

Pricey.

> 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.

Yes, it is powerful. But what of the cyber monster with WR3, Enhanced
Articulation, Muscle Augmentation 4, Suprathyroid, +6 Reaction Enhancer,
Encephalon 3, and that level 2 bioware intelligence boost... There is
more, I'm certain, but this is just a start. Then again, you did say the
system already supports quite a few monsters.

Deirdre M. Brooks | xenya@********.com | Marizhavashti Kali
"Whose religion is this?" "It's not a religion, it's a cult."
"Whose cult
is this?" "It's Hubbard's cult, baby." "Who's Hubbard?"
"Hubbard's dead,
baby. Hubbard's dead." -Meme-