SR5 Control Actions/Thoughts Spells, how do they work mechanically Options

[j2klbs]

Hi all,

Manipulation spells allow the target to take a Complex action to generate hits to count against the original hits. However, the Control Action/Thoughts spells force the target to take actions that the spellcaster dictates. This seems to be a problem. There are a few ways I could interpret those spells.

1. The target takes the actions immediately on the caster's initiative. This could work except for the fact that then one could use this to have a friendly street sam act twice as often which seems abusive.

2. The target can ignore the mandated action because he is entitled to resist the spell. This makes the spell worthless.

3. The target must take the mandated action but gets a bonus complex action to resist the spell. If this were the intent, why call it a "complex action" in the first place - just state that the target gets to make the check not counting as any kind of action.

I'm really not sure how these spells are supposed to be used in terms of when the actions occur. Any insight you can offer would be appreciated.

Regards,
~Jason