Analyze Device, ...how it works Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Outline Switch to: Standard Switch to: Linear+

[Machiavelli]

I think this is one of the most underestimated or ignored spells in the whole magic-section. Regarding the description, the spell gives you bonus-dice for operating any device the spell is cast on. But how far does this go? If i cast this spell on a commlink, does it mean that i am capable of hacking, electronik warfare and everything else that would be possible with this gadget, and if i cast it on a firearm, does it help to shoot? My comrades argue that the spell just gives you a clue how to dissemble/assemble the gun, attach upgrades etc. but if the spell would be that limited, it wouldn´t be worth the karma to learn it. Because you can only use bonus dice above the OR-frontier, it is limited enough in my point of view. So i´d like to get your experiences. Do you use this spell and if you do so, how?

[Dakka Dakka]

@hahnsoo: the errataed ORs of SR4A only go up to 5+ but this is still a lot.

@MikeKozar: The description is pretty unambiguous. If you get enough hits you get bonus dice, operating a gun includes shooting it as does swinging a sword. According to the description this bonus is unlimited, but, besides having to roll that many hits, you need a force equal to OR+hits to actually use them.
To me this is not unbalancing. Especially since you need two additional hits to overcome the sustaining penalty unless you use a focus or quickening. This penalty persists for all actions not involving the device.

This is the same problem as with the sprites' power Diagnostics. From the name you do not deduce that this actually helps using the device but the description says otherwise.