The Way of the Adept released, PDF only; 15 pages, $4.95 Options

[Sephiroth]

When in doubt, I include page numbers for anything I refer to. Some folks still have the book, some folks still use the rule, so I try to be inclusive and reference it (page number and all, to make life easier on anyone looking for it).

It's not that the optional rule is referenced and its page number cited that I'm confused about. What I'm confused about is why the optional rule is cited and included when it was apparently removed from the 3rd SM printing (though why it would have been removed I have no idea). It seems like contradictory editing.

[Smokeskin]

it was apparently removed from the 3rd SM printing (though why it would have been removed I have no idea).

It really did need to go. I know it was just optional, but sometimes you have to protect people from themselves.

[Critias]

Does the invisible way adept power really give +1 bonus to the entire Stealth group per 0.5 power point?

Sorry 'Skin, missed this earlier.

Several of the new powers function basically like Kinesics for ____________ (Athletes, Invisible, what-have-you). So, yes. With a limit of 3 ranks, and unavailable as a discounted power (which is a small advantage Speaker's/Kinesics still has over them), you can get a couple extra dice to several skills at once.

[Muspellsheimr]

Actually, you didn't. That optional rule only appears in the 2nd printing of Street Magic. It was removed from the 3rd printing for some reason, so it's tecnically no longer a valid optional rule.

If I remember correctly, all errata was removed from the 3rd printing.

Basically a major fuckup. Unless of course you liked the pre-errata blood spirits.


Edit:
As for that rule, it is absolutely necessary to make adepts playable outside a few niche roles. The supposedly unbalancing aspects of magic are from other sections of the system (read 'unlimited' advancement)

[Patrick Goodman]

It really did need to go. I know it was just optional, but sometimes you have to protect people from themselves.

Excessive emphasis is mine.

No. No, you don't. Few things piss me off more than someone thinking they need to protect me from myself. It's not their responsibility; their responsibility, as writers and developers of the game I play, is to give me rules to emulate things in the game so that I can do what I want. That includes giving me optional rules. If I abuse them, it's my own damn fault, and the fault of my GM for allowing me to abuse them.

But don't dare to presume that I need protection from myself.

[Fringe]

Wow, I threw the drek into the oscillator with that typo!

Way of the Adept, p. 14, Favored Powers callout:
"Remember, that favored powers are chosen based on Magic attribute, not Power Points (for those using the optional rule that allows adepts to gain a Power Point rather than a Metamagic upon Initiation)."

Apparently, the optional rule is now optional again--the new book says so...unless it's time for a release-day erratum! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Actually, you didn't. That optional rule only appears in the 2nd printing of Street Magic. It was removed from the 3rd printing for some reason, so it's tecnically no longer a valid optional rule.

Still in the Errata though... But that is funny. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Critias]

It's not that the optional rule is referenced and its page number cited that I'm confused about. What I'm confused about is why the optional rule is cited and included when it was apparently removed from the 3rd SM printing (though why it would have been removed I have no idea). It seems like contradictory editing.

Because, like I said, some folks still have it and use it. It comes up on Dumpshock and the SR forums pretty often, folks are aware that it exists, and -- in a book all about optional rules in the first place -- I was out to clarify (since it's possible folks are running adepts with that optional rule).

[Sephiroth]

Because, like I said, some folks still have it and use it. It comes up on Dumpshock and the SR forums pretty often, folks are aware that it exists, and -- in a book all about optional rules in the first place -- I was out to clarify (since it's possible folks are running adepts with that optional rule).

I see. That's reasonable. To be clear, I was not trying to sound accusatory about your editing or anything; my accusations were more based around the bizarre removal of the rule from 3rd printing of SM.

I do have another clarification question though:

Confi dence Man
Cost: 1
Speaker’s Way Adepts Only
Adepts of the Speaker’s Way are known for being able to make
their marks believe in anything. Those with this power have the
particular ability to make their allies believe in themselves. It may
affect one friendly target per use, supplying them with increased
effectiveness as the adept increases their confidence in their own
abilities. Using this power requires a Full Action, and allows the
adept a Charisma + Leadership roll, with a threshold equal to the
threshold of the test they wish to help with. ...

What's a Full Action? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[Critias]

Alright, that one just slipped through. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Smokeskin]

Excessive emphasis is mine.

No. No, you don't. Few things piss me off more than someone thinking they need to protect me from myself. It's not their responsibility; their responsibility, as writers and developers of the game I play, is to give me rules to emulate things in the game so that I can do what I want. That includes giving me optional rules. If I abuse them, it's my own damn fault, and the fault of my GM for allowing me to abuse them.

But don't dare to presume that I need protection from myself.

I was kidding about the protection, it is a game not a carcinogen (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

But honestly, that one strikes me as too unhinged to be an optional rule.

[Jhaiisiin]

What's a Full Action? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

I'm guessing it's a your entire pass. All simple and complex actions you would need to take. So maybe Exclusive action? Can't be doing anything else?

[Critias]

I'm guessing it's a your entire pass. All simple and complex actions you would need to take. So maybe Exclusive action? Can't be doing anything else?

Nope, I'll cop up to it, this one's just a screw-up on my part. I got my Free/Simple/Complex actions wires crossed with Free/Half/Full actions, the terminology used in some other games. It's not some new SR term, it's just a mistake on my part, that made its way through editing and playtesting (likely because it's not an obvious typo or grammatical error), and for that I apologize. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dead.gif)

Pretend it reads Complex.

[Bull]

If I remember correctly, all errata was removed from the 3rd printing.

Basically a major fuckup. Unless of course you liked the pre-errata blood spirits.

Yeah, I know. Not entirely sure what happened there.

But, I gotta run with certain assumptions for Missions, including that the most recent rulebooks are the correct ones (And rely on errata, or lack thereof, of the most recent books... Errata referencing older books doesn't help too much).

In the end, being optional meant we could ignore it either way, but still...

Bull

[CanRay]

Thanks... Just... Thanks.

Now my head hurts worse than usual. I'd go to the brain specialist, but he wears a napkin on his head and rubber boots.

[Wesley Street]

If this is going to be a trend, I'd like to see a future "Way of the Samurai" supplement with lower-BP builds for pre-constructed cyberware packages - Cyber Runner, Spec Forces Trooper, Cyber Assassin, The Six Million Nuyen Street Samurai, Cyber Logician, etc. Otherwise we're going to see further proof of this game falling prey to the "magic trumps all" mentality that's already infecting it.

[CanRay]

Magic does trump a lot. Hense the first rule: Geek the Mage First!

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Magic does trump a lot. Hense the first rule: Geek the Mage First!

Yep, that just cannot be emphasized enough... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wobble.gif)

[CanRay]

It's a major equalizer in combat and Shadowrun situations. It makes you target number one. With everyone and their cyberdog gunning after them at the first reveal.

[Kyoto Kid]

...OK so does the optional Power Point/Initiation Grade rule apply or not.

Having played an adept for nearly a half year (bi-weekly sessions), and not being able to scrape enough Karma together (something like 31 for that first initiation + increase to MA) to get the first additional power point, I found it it rather discouraging. This was one of the reasons I dropped 4th ed. as progressing as an adept was just too bloody slow. Meanwhile spellcasters could learn new spells, acquire foci, fetishes, and learn new metamagics to enhance their abilities, all without necessarily having to improve MA.

For me, this optional rule (if it is indeed applicable) is a welcome improvement for it makes Adepts more attractive to play when one can actually see them progress in her prime abilities in a more reasonable amount of time.

[Grinder]

If this is going to be a trend, I'd like to see a future "Way of the Samurai" supplement with lower-BP builds for pre-constructed cyberware packages - Cyber Runner, Spec Forces Trooper, Cyber Assassin, The Six Million Nuyen Street Samurai, Cyber Logician, etc. Otherwise we're going to see further proof of this game falling prey to the "magic trumps all" mentality that's already infecting it.

Yep, same here.

[Grinder]

Having played an adept for nearly a half year (bi-weekly sessions), and not being able to scrape enough Karma together (something like 31 for that first initiation + increase to MA) to get the first additional power point, I found it it rather discouraging. This was one of the reasons I dropped 4th ed. as progressing as an adept was just too bloody slow. Meanwhile spellcasters could learn new spells, acquire foci, fetishes, and learn new metamagics to enhance their abilities, all without necessarily having to improve MA.

31 karma points just for the first initiation grade? Seems to be a mistake on your part (don't have my books here, but I'm sure the karma costs for initiation are somethin like new iniation grade x 3 or something like that).

[Critias]

31 karma points just for the first initiation grade? Seems to be a mistake on your part (don't have my books here, but I'm sure the karma costs for initiation are somethin like new iniation grade x 3 or something like that).

Initiation plus Magic Attribute increase is the complaint, not just the Initiation, unless I'm misreading KK's post.

[longbowrocks]

If this is going to be a trend, I'd like to see a future "Way of the Samurai" supplement with lower-BP builds for pre-constructed cyberware packages - Cyber Runner, Spec Forces Trooper, Cyber Assassin, The Six Million Nuyen Street Samurai, Cyber Logician, etc. Otherwise we're going to see further proof of this game falling prey to the "magic trumps all" mentality that's already infecting it.

Bump.

[Grinder]

Initiation plus Magic Attribute increase is the complaint, not just the Initiation, unless I'm misreading KK's post.

I see. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/embarrassed.gif)