| From: | Shadrach <_shadrach_@****.GEOCITIES.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Datajack-Game Balancing |
| Date: | Mon, 22 Jun 1998 11:40:35 -0400 |
>On Thu, 4 Jun 1998 09:57:11 -0400 Paul Gettle <<pgettle@********.NET>
>writes:
>>>Unfortunately, it does not explain at all why the most
>>>versatile object, the datajack, has MINIMAL essence impact. I imagine
>>>because thedatajck mostlyplays simsense to you, which, withoutother
>>>cyber, basically replicates normal senses.
>>I noticed that. The datajack is rather undercosted, compared to other
>>comparable pieces of ware. Take for example the cybercom link. At .4
>>essence, it's a bit of ware that lets you convert thought into word,
>>for radio transmission.
>>
>>A datajack, on the other hand, will convert your thoughts into
>>electronic commands that can run a cyberdeck, or even a datajack
>>interface equipped vehicle. That to me would seem to be a more
>>dificult task than converting conversational thoughts into audio, and
>>yet, a datajack only costs half as much essence as the cybercomm link.
>>The only explanation I can give for why the datajack is undercosted,
>>is that it's the most widespread piece of cyber, and that much closer
>>to being a mass-market item. I figure that the number of datajacks
>>implanted is at least one or two orders of magnitude higher than the
>>numbers for any other piece of ware. Cybersurgeons and cyberware
>>manufacturers have more data, and much more extensive research behind
>>lessening the impact of implanting a datajack, so that's why it's so
>>cheap.
Although it's sometimes fun to try to give reason to rules in RPG's, it usually comes down
to the question of game balance. As it does in this case. The Datajack is one of the
most useful 'ware items in Shadowrun, and for some characters (Riggers, Deckers) it is
essential. Since it is necessary for all Riggerrs and Deckers, it would be , in my
opinion, somewhat unbalancing for it to have a high essence cost; which might severely cut
into that characters cyber limit. And if you equip a non-Rigger/Decker with a Datajack,
which again has minimal essence loss, it does not hardly give that character access to all
the benefits of being a Rigger or Decker. They will be able to do some things, but will
be extremely limited. So, again, with non-Rigger/Deckers a Datajack in not all that
unbalancing either.
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</bold><color><param>0000,8080,8080</param>|..oooOOOO-<bold><italic>Shadrach</italic></bold>-OOOOooo..|
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"One learns a whole lot more from pain and suffering
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