An Adept Adjustment, A fix for the Sam/Adept debate? Options

[Thain]

For the record, I do not think there is anything "wrong" with the Adept as written in the BBB. That said, they are slightly weaker compared to a Samurai. The following tweakto existing rules should, if my thinking is correct, give them something the Samurai does not have any ability to replicate: variable special abilities.

Please examine and critique honestly. Supportive and helpful input welcomed, to avoid a flame war can we keep discusion about wheiter or not Do adepts suck right now? outside of in this thread. Add to that debate here.


An Awakened character who invests his power into physical abilities rather than Magic-linked skills is referred to as an adept. This is represented by the character's Power Points. These reflect the amount of magical energy tied into the character's physical abilities, such as enhanced reflexes, improved senses, or superior health. Characters who take the Adept quality during character creation get a number of Power Points equal to x1.5 times their Magic attribute. Additional Power Points can be gained by increasing the character's Magic attribute through the expenditure of Karma or by initiation.

Example
Karate Karl, a physical adept martial artist has Magic 5, Essence 6, and the Adept quality. This gives Karate Karl 7.5 Power Points.

His sensei, Kurosawa-sama, is a physical adept martial artist of greater wisdom and experince. He has Magic 6, Essence 6, and the Adept quality, `natch. Kurosawa-sama has 9 Power Points.

The Adept's Awakened self-image is tied directly to their Essence, which limits their ability to channel their Power into their bodies. An Adept may only have a number of active powers whos Power Point total is equal to their Essence or Magic attribute, whichever is lower.

The Adept may, typically with meditation and self-reflection, renew their own self-image and "reassign" their Power Points. Doing so takes one hour per Power Point that is "renewed," if the Adept is only renewing a fraction of a Power Point, it takes only a fraction the normal time. This self-reflection also requires a Magic + Assensing (2) test.

Example
Karate Karl, with his 7.5 Power Points knows the following powers:

Combat Sense II (1.0 PP)
Improved Infiltration II (0.5 PP)
Improved Dodge II (0.5 PP)
Improved Reflexes II (3.0 PP)
Improved Unarmed IV (2.0 PP)
Killing Hands (0.5 PP)

However, he may only have 5 Power Points active at anyone time.