From:	Mockingbird mockingbird@*********.com
Subject:	Mage vs. Samurai as beginning characters using only SR3 books
Date:	Fri, 2 Jul 1999 11:19:53 -0500

----- Original Message -----
From: Arcady <arcady@***.net>
To: Shadowrn <shadowrn@*********.org>
Sent: Friday, July 02, 1999 3:17 AM
Subject: Mage vs. Samurai as beginning characters using only SR3 books


> Using only the following books:
>
> Shadowrun 3rd
> Magic in the Shadows
> Shadowrun Companion
>
> Is a Samurai inherently weaker than a mage?
>
> Is it possible to build a samurai who is equivalent in power level to
mages.
>
> As Beginning characters only in both cases.
>
> So this is not a general question but only for that specific case.
>
> After my ruling against beta and delta ware one player is complaining that
I
> am thus making it impossible for a samurai to be equal in power level.
> I disagree but am curious to know if I am alone in that opinion.
>

Though I have not completely read all three of those books, I would have
to say no. If your player feels they are, ask for concrete examples (i.e. I
can only kill one person at a time, but the mage gets an area effect spell
off and kills twenty.) It sounds to me like a case of a player trying to
twist your email (specifically the part about a Sam on Shadowtech is
equivilent to an initiate) to covince you to let them use that book. Sams
and mages are different, not less powerful, not more powerful, but
different. It's like comparing oranges to lemons. They're both fruit,
they're both made into juice, but which is better?

Hope this helps,
Mockingbird