FAQ Update, or, SR v4.5 Options

[SaintHax]

Since we are playing version 4.5 of the rules, why don't we put something in the FAQ to fix the problem of spirit's abilities and scaling. Obviously a F6 spirit getting 12 dice to use an ability defended by only one stat and no skill (e.g. Fear) is unbalanced. It would seem to me that a spirits skills being F/2 would be a good enough patch.

Now, you maybe saying that SRM is not here to add rules. That we are still playing core (not optional) SR 4. Except...

1. No used gear
2. Some banned qualities
3. Build point flexibility for some secondary characters
4. Fence value based on misunderstood math-- you don't "fence" legal items, those are sold.
5. Contact not needed for fencing
6. Social roll not used for fencing-- so much easier
7. Forced 4:1 buy rule for extended tests
8. Diminishing returns (GM discretion item per RAW) always in effect
9. Skill training circumvented
10. Learning spells test circumvented
11. New rule created for your contacts getting gear
12. Healing rules circumvented between adventures-- and as someone who took a Deadly wound twice in SMR00, this is a big change.
13. Created rule for hiring a weaponsmith
14. Oredeals for initiates are restricted
15. No mind affecting spells
16. No possession traditions
17. No item creation

While I agree some are necessary (and some are crazy), we clearly have no problem with altering and even adding rules. The banning of core rules, is pretty much us saying that Catalyst screwed up here. While I agree-- which is why the post about spirits both has merits and is satirical for the purpose of saying "woe, slow down"-- I find it odd that a Catalyst backed group is able to make these implications.

FYI, mages are unbalanced-- possession mages cause problems when the GM doesn't understand them. Like during a SRM Scramble and allowing a F6 spirit to mount someone and go unnoticed.

Another note: if SRM can fix the SR4 issues I'll still play, but currently I'm planning on taking a hiatus from it until SR5 comes out. While this FAQ change did nerf my voodoo shaman with astral haze idea, the rules themselves are the most streamlined of all SR's, but the most broke. Melee sucks hard, social skills don't scale, and spirits are so broke it's unreal.