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 Targeting an active focus from the astral |
 Mar 18 2007, 08:06 PM
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#26
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Moving Target  Group: Members Posts: 668 Joined: 4-September 06 Member No.: 9,304  |
Well, one big flag for me, is when the mage has one or more foci active all the time.
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Mar 19 2007, 03:32 AM
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#27
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 458 Joined: 28-March 05 From: NA/UCAS/IN/ Member No.: 7,246 |
Just as a side note, I didn't say my char would have them all active all the time, but when he knows a manipulation spell is going to be needed soon, tick that focus over to active, then deactivate it when it's no longer needed. The laziness factor is a good point though, and has even been noted in flavor text in at least some of the books.
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Mar 19 2007, 05:10 AM
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#28
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Cybernetic Blood Mage Group: Members Posts: 3,472 Joined: 11-March 06 From: Northeastern Wyoming Member No.: 8,361 |
Well personally I'm more lenient then RAW seems to suggest that I be with Foci Addiction, the way I read RAW, even using one Focus a large portion of the time is enough to start warrenting addiction checks.
However, if a Mage is using various Foci for basically everything that he does, and yes, Bonding to one Foci per Spell cast is a big flashing neon warning sign for me, and even at the Mild version, he is looking at -2 to the same rolls that I mentioned before and it is the start of the slipperly slope, unlike Mild addictions to drugs or BTLs which are largely flavor, even a mild addiction to Foci has teeth that hurt. And I'm fine with that because unlike BTLs and drugs, the Mage has invested a part of his soul to the various Foci that he is abusing. Now, to the cyber/bio-ware issue, well personally I don't see any balancing problems at all, Mages are just as free to install cyber as mundanes are and in fact I think that its stupid not to do so with a few choice pieces. You have however, given me an idea for a NPC that is addicted to surgery, thanks. |
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Mar 19 2007, 05:23 PM
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#29
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Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,333 Joined: 19-August 06 From: Austin Member No.: 9,168 |
You are free to feel that way. However, the rules for Focus Addiction are quite clear, and are in Street Magic. Presumably, Foci were built and priced and balanced in a world where the Focus Addiction rules are used by the book. If you toss out part of that, you may need to curb foci a bit. To be specific: Mild: At this level of addiction, few magicians recognize they have a problem. Mild focus addicts keep their foci active more often and use them regardless of whether they need the extra power or not Moderate: the magician refuses to take off or turn off foci under any circumstances, and many become obsessed with gaining more foci to supplement their abilities. Severe: Magicians at this level of addiction are out of control, constantly using their magical abilities to tap into the foci. Burnout: This is the same as a Severe addiction, except the addict has been in this state for some time and is experiencing the tell-tale signs of habitual use on his aura. Using foci at this level of addiction is physically painful for the addict, but even this comes as welcome relief from the hell the character’s body has become. So a mage that has foci running constantly pretty clearly hits Mild, and may hit moderate or severe, depending on the GM. And if you don't think Americans have a Car addiction, I'd suggest you haven't spent enough time overseas, or watched a city try to institute real mass transit. New York is about the only place in the US I'd buy doesn't have a car addiction. |
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