From:	U-Gene <C14101@*******.BITNET>
Subject:	Re: Mage bias
Date:	Wed, 5 Apr 1995 09:11:45 EDT

Bob Oaton writes:
>> U-Gene writes...
>> <snip> about Billy the phys ad gunfighter and Kernal the street sam
>> <snip> about Billy being best shot in the party...
>> (I believe someone mentioned Phy ads weren't as tough as sammies?)
>
>Tough? Compare Billy to the Kernal. My guess is that, while Billy could well
>be the a better shot(i.e. higher firearms skill), a)he can't take a bullet
>as well...

Well your right there. (bod=4 and of course no cyber or bio) :)

>b)doesn't have NEAR the combat pool the Kernal has...

About the same. (billy 9, kernal 10. I believe)

>c)doesn't have as wide a variety of skills...

About the same. Kernal spent most Karma on stats and aquiring a good drive
skill (just got VCR 1 not to long ago). Billy has SCUBA and you wouldn't have
guessed it, SURFING! 2 or 3 dice I think. (The group had participated in
Paradise Lost and Billy couldn't help himself)

>d)is slower...

Not by much. Although I use the house rule Phys Ads can by wired reflex
equivelant costing 2,3,5 magic points. I feel they got the shaft here.

>e)doesn't see as well at night...

Billy sees better then the Kernal at night. Billy has natural low-light
vision (bought with Magic) which I believe reduces darkness penalties.

>f)anything else that will be evident once you look at the character sheets.

I looked at the character sheets, and they looked relatively even. Although
Billy is a better shot, the Kernal can take more damage.
But looking again I'd say in most combat situations, the Kernal does have
an advantage.

>But you know what? I have to congradulate whoever plays Billy for being his
>own character. Kudos to ya, whoever you are!

Billy is played by my brother Matt. His charater never uses anything other
Warhawks, his custom made lever action rifle, and his newly acquired double
barrel shotgun, all traditional western guns. (Well, he's been forced by
other players to use a silenced Predator occasionally since his other weapons
can't be silenced!) I thank you for your compliment on Matt's behalf.

Thanks Bob for posting to this posting. I believe, as do most of my players
that a good character concept is most important of all in making a character.

Kernal: "What are you doing behind me?"
Billy: "I figured I'd get cover bonus. <grin>"