From:	Chris Maxfield cmaxfiel@****.org.au
Subject:	Improved Reflexes, Adepts, and truly inane questions.
Date:	Thu, 05 Aug 1999 17:39:10 +1000

> > Lemme get something straight here on Physical Barriers because right
> > now I have a combat mage lined up for play: The Physical Barrier spell
> > actually sets up a Barrier (with a score equal to its Rating, plus one
> > for every two successes), right? Wouldn't this mean that a combat mage
> > with a Force 5 Physical Barrier and 4 successes is rolling with a
> > Rating 7 Barrier? And this thing has double its Rating against
> > Firearms, so that means the aforementioned mage is literally
> > bulletproof, right? Does it count as Hardened? With the exception of
> > magic, rockets, missiles, autocannons, and explosives, what would be
> > able to hurt this guy? Sure, I know about the space limitations, but
> > some mages like to destroy more than others...

As modified by the SR3 Errata, all barrier spells only produce a barrier
with a rating equal to the force of the spell. As long as one success was
achieved in the sorcery test, all the other successes are irrelevant.

The Barrier Rating of a barrier, with respect to firearms, only doubles for
determining success in blasting *large* holes in the barrier - not for just
shooting through and hitting someone on the other side.

The Force 5 Physical Barrier spell will only produce a Force 5 Barrier
which will only bounce hold-out ammo.

At 21:58 2/08/99 -0700, Rand Ratinac wrote:
>Hardened only applies to armour. A barrier isn't armour. You use the
>standard barrier rules. And yes, this thing is nasty, but if he pulls
>it out, you can pull out the big guns too. Y'think corp guards or cops
>who can't hit the scuzz aren't going to call in the cavalry? Even this
>guy is gonna go pale if they start pulling out the big weapons.

I do not believe this is correct. A Physical Barrier (or Armour) spell is
described as having a "barrier rating" not a "composite armour
rating".
Anything with a Barrier Rating is subject to the Barrier rules on p124 of
SR3 which includes the rule that if an attack's base power does not exceed
the Barrier Rating then it is stopped cold. Anything with a Barrier Rating
is the equivalent of Hardened.


Chris