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Message no. 1
From: "Like, dude, where's the firefight?" <MURRAYMD@******.BITNET>
Subject: Why is Game Balance such a bad phrase?
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 92 07:26:39 CET
Hoi Kiddies;
I have been reading these posts from various assorted people trying
to explain why bioware should and should not hurt mages. I think I have
seen all the hair-brained pseudo reasons for each side posted. Yet those
defending the current rules have tried to dance around the central tenet of
why the rules are fine:

GAME BALANCE

Ha! I said it! Game balance game balance game balance! Can't
make me take it back! Ha ha ha!
I grant you magic, bioware, and cyberware don't exist and any
explanations are weak when compared to reality, but these things are just
subjects in a game. The game is supposed to be fair way to role-play in a
certain enviroment: Shadowrun. The rules are the way they are for a couple
of reasons. One of the reasons why the rules are such is game balance.
The reason why mages have to pay essence for bioware is the same reason why
mages in D&D couldn't wear armor or weild a lot of weapons: game balance.
Do you want super initiated mages running around with a whole mess of
bioware? I don't. Mages are fine the way they are. (As compared to SR1
rules where they were way too powerful, IMNSHO.) Do you want Edge Running
street sams laughing off manabolts while blazing away with their assault
rifle? I don't. (Even though I love street sams.)
Folks, before you decide to discuss the meta-physical implications
of goofing with the way magic works, sit back and think what that will do
to the game. When you mess with the rules of the game, you alter the
reality of the Shadowrun universe. The game is fine, don't try to fix it
if it ain't broken.
I'm not saying rules may not need tweeking, but that should only be
done to the needs of the playing group. If you don't like the rules for
bioware and mages, then either:
1) Deal with it and suffer.
2) Change the rules a smidge.
If you change the rules a little, count on a noticeable shift in
your game. This may be good, or it may not...

And another thing, ...! Hang on, this has gone long enough. I
think you guys get my point.

**************************************************************************
* Matt: You shot him!!!! | Matt Murray at the University of Dayton *
* Chris: No I didn't. It | MURRAYMD@******.BITNET *
* was a gunfight. | MURRAYMD@******.OCA.UDAYTON.EDU *
* He forgot his gun.| "Like, dude, where's the firefight?" *
*------------------------------------------------------------------------*
* Star Fleet Battles Battletech Shadowrun Space Marine AD&D *
**************************************************************************
Message no. 2
From: "Psuedo-Combat Mage" <KSDKW@******.BITNET>
Subject: Re: Why is Game Balance such a bad phrase?
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 92 23:35:26 -0900
> Hoi Kiddies;
> I have been reading these posts from various assorted people trying
> to explain why bioware should and should not hurt mages. I think I have
> seen all the hair-brained pseudo reasons for each side posted.
^^^^^^
>>>>>[First off do not take my name in vane (not all the ideas were mine
anyway
). Next, I would like to say that, that was a very nice and well thought out
post. However, you go on to say that 'if you don't like the rules to change
them'. Some groups may accept that....then you join a new group....they don't
accept it. Then, being the mage you are in this case, you have to make some
minor adjustments to your character. Which can be a pain in the but. Sure I
agree that it is game balance but it just doesn't sound right that ONLY mages
have essence taken off. In AD&D you can have mixed characters can you not?
Like a magic-user/fighter that can have the magic and the weapons/armor of a
fighter? So why couldn't I, a combat mage, have the same type of advantage?
It seems to be more then just a question of game balance but also what is fair.
Don't you think? I still want to hear more opinions on this.]<<<<<
--Psuedo <8:39:11/10-30-53>

||===================================================================
||Dave W. /Alias=Psuedo<Combat Mage Extrodinare>/ ||
|| ||
|| // He who hunts dragons too||
||KSDKW@****** // long becomes a dragon ||
||KSDKW@*****.ALASKA.EDU \ \ // himself. ||
||KSDKW@*****.ALASKA.EDU \ \ // Neitche ||
|| \ X/ ||
===================================================================||
Message no. 3
From: Chris Siebenmann <cks@********.UTCS.TORONTO.EDU>
Subject: Re: Why is Game Balance such a bad phrase?
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 92 01:24:58 -0500
While I would not go quite as far as Matt Murray, I will echo his
sentiments: making the rules on essence loss more favorable for mages
changes (and perhaps tips) an important balance in Shadowrun. Think
about the consequences for your campaign before you make this change.

The same holds for changes to lessen Essence's impact on the cybered,
and/or make it more useful to have a low essence.

I suppose this is a general rule: Make changes only with your eyes
open. Think about it first.

- cks

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Thwap!