From:	Greg Childress <greg@***.EDU>
Subject:	Re: [SR3] Drain
Date:	Thu, 3 Jul 1997 19:46:25 -0400

At 05:09 PM 7/3/97 -0400, Nightlife wrote:
>Don't even try it the stun equal nearly being dead. Stun fades espically
>with the vanilla rules using stim patches. As for when is better to be
>knocked out rather than dead. Almost every game that I'm involved in.
>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Nightlife Inc.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

No, I think I will try it... if you don't mind

What is the target number for a serious stun wound?
Why, it's +3, just like the physical wound
How about the initiative adjustment?
Well, imagine that -3, just like physical damage
As far as knocked out vs. nearly dead;
if you fall unconscious to the ground in the middle of a fire fight after
casting spell that didn't even begin to damage the opposition then guess
what... you are dead
But wait, stun damage heals faster than physical
Sure, one box an hour; "Excuse me, angry SWAT guys, could you give me an
hour to rest please?"
Still there ARE stim patches...
"The magician makes a Magic test against a target number equal to the
patch's rating. If the test fails, the magician must follow the
procedure for possible essence loss as if he had taken a Deadly wound"
BBB pg 250

Yeah, that's just great, no worries about stun damage now

Look, maybe an alteration in the system is necessary, maybe even good. My
beef is with THIS alteration. Incorporating staging numbers seems like a
good idea to me, not to mention one that would be as easy to implement as
the F/2-F change. Frankly I don't think that there is anything wrong with
the basic game mechanics of magic. The problems are really with the theory
and explanation. The system as it is vague and confusing on issues like
the mechanics of relationships in astral space, where the Physical Adepts
fit into the picture (Initiation for Physads SUCKS for the amount of Karma
involved, but it's the only way to grow magically so you're just stuck) It
is the theory and background that needs to be clarified and compiled in any
new tome discussing the SR magic system.


<greg>

"You slump to the ground just as a grenade
roles into the room"
"Well, I'm just damn glad I'm only
unconscious!"