From:	Philip Hayward <Philip.Hayward@***.UK>
Subject:	Re: Potential
Date:	Thu, 20 Apr 1995 13:21:51 +6000

Jani wrote:
>> Huh? You put a low priority on Attributes, make Will high, buy a couple
>> of spell locks, and lock Increase Reaction and Willpower. Etc. etc.
>
> Yeah and loose then in the first 5 minutes of play :) There are
> a lot of weird mage-dudes flying the astral you know.

Are those the ones who rely on spel locks, or those who take them out
for amusement.

>>> It's a bitch making a mage and very rarely does it turn out the
>>> way you want it.
>
> I fully agree, but thats the price for versatility. The system is
> fine as it is.

Thats right, but you can get some rather nice characters if you do it just
right. (I said nice not powerful, by nice I mean all the different aspects
that make up the character fit together well to make a good shadowrunner.)

> Well both our mage players think that the char gen system forces
> the players to make one dimentional mages - but as I said thats the
> price you pay for all that versatility. Do sammies complain about
> their cyberpsychosys :)

It does tend to but it is possible to make a different style of mage/shaman
I like to think mine was more than one dimensional. Judging from what I
hear of others mine is damn unique, but I like it that way.

>> And once they start Initiating ... !

> Why would anyone want to initiate beyond grade 0 anyway. It costs
> LOADS of karma and all you get for it is masking. Why not just
> increase your attributes/skills... ?

I tend to agree, it is overrated, My shaman is still not initiated
though he tends to soon (and would go no higher than 1 or 2) most
of the metamagic cost karma - quickening, anchoring. These have similar
disadvantages to spell lock (ie how to burn karma) leaving masking,
centering, shielding and access to metaplanes.
Masking, centering and metaplane access do not really improve much beyond
obtaining them at grade 0. Shielding is useful but is equal to
magic pool + grade I think so I can increase that by concentrating on
sorcery (I have 7 now) and obtaining a power focus. I agree level 3
is better than level 1 but not for the karma spent.

Jani wrote:
>> Essense draining situations are always good for that. The magical
>> equivalent
of having your vehicle shot all to hell. Only it's harder
>> to Repair.
>
> Are you out of your mind !!! Essence drain is permanent !

As is magic loss. But they are still a viable means of stemming a
PC's power albeit a rather drastic means. The sort of thing you'd
keep for reserve (or use against a munchkin) I'd love to hear of a
non-permanent loss (other than foci) as essence/magic loss is the
the only thing to really affect physads

Phil
<Philip.Hayward@***.UK>