Mystic Adepts, How does this work? Options

[etherial]

Though mystic adepts must split their Magic between Magic-based skills and adept powers, it says that for all other purposes, including the limits of adept powers, the mystic adept uses his full Magic attribute. Does this mean that a mystic adept with Magic 6 who has allocated 2 points to Magic skills and 4 points to adept powers can cast Force 6 spells without flinching?

The Magic points allocated towards Magic-based skills counts for all aspects of those skills. This includes: Magic-linked skill tests (Summoning, Spellcasting, Enchanting, etc.), overcasting, and maximum spell Force, for example.

For power points and Magic when used by adept powers, only the points allocated towards adept powers apply. This includes Attribute Boost Tests and the like.

For all other purposes -- i.e., non-Magic-linked skills -- the mystic adept's full Magic attribute is used: pressing through astral barriers, initiation grade limit, Masking metamagic, and so on.

So in the example above, the maximum Force he can cast at is 4, and anything over Force 2 is Physical Drain.

This is pretty much the opposite of what they say in SR4A on p. 195. Which should I ignore?

Also:
Killing Hands (SR4A, p. 196) makes your Unarmed Combat do Physical damage. Elemental Strike (SM, p. 176) allows you to enhance your Strike with Elemental Effects. The description for the Electricity Elemental Effect (SR4A, p ) says it does Stun. Does this override the Killing Hands' Physical Damage?

[Ancient History]

The FAQ is 3 years out of date; use p.195.

Killing Hands (SR4A, p. 196) makes your Unarmed Combat do Physical damage. Elemental Strike (SM, p. 176) allows you to enhance your Strike with Elemental Effects. The description for the Electricity Elemental Effect (SR4A, p ) says it does Stun. Does this override the Killing Hands' Physical Damage?

Since it modifies the Killing Hands, I'd say yes.

[JoelHalpern]

So what does SR4A p.195 say? As this was not technically an errata, it does not appear in the 4A errata description.
Thank you,
Joel

[Ancient History]

The difference is that while you do divvy up your Magic rating between Magical Skills and Adept Powers, you still use your entire Magic rating for all purposes - highest Force spells without overcasting, highest rating on adept powers, pressing through wards, etc.

[JoelHalpern]

Thanks AH. That is much simpler, and avoids lots of arguments. Maybe a little to powerful, but that is always a personal judgment call.
Yours,
Joel

[Saint Sithney]

Maybe a little to powerful, but that is always a personal judgment call.

Do make sure you spell out these personal calls beforehand with any player they'd directly effect.
It's a real kick in the pants for a player to find out he's been nerfed after he hits the streets.