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

[Kyoto Kid]

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

...you read it correctly.

The only way to not fall even further behind the team's Sammy, Decker, and Mage (as well keep pace with the increase in overall campaign threat level as the other PCs become tougher), is to also apply Karma to improve skills and attributes which makes saving up that big chunk of Karma for initiation and increasing MA take even longer. At the average Karma award as suggested in the BBB, that would be about 5 - 6 missions (each of which can easily last more than one gaming session) while not spending it on anything else.

It is even more discouraging when some powers/upgrades cost more than one power point.

[Bull]

...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.

It's an optional rule that is only in one printing out of 3 of Street Magic. It allows you to take a Power Point instead of a Metamagic when you initiate (Though you are limited to having Powers equal to your Magic Rating active at once... So even if you had 12 points of adept powers, if your Magic Rating is 5, you can only have 5 Power Points active at any given time).

As for whether or not it's allowed, it's Optional, so that's entirely up to your Gamemaster. There are optional rules that change the Hit number from 5 to either 4 or 6, that increase weapon damage to make the game more lethal, and applying the Rule of Six to all dice tests, not just certain Edge tests. Just because it's in a book somewhere doesn't mean it will be used.

Bull

[Muspellsheimr]

It's an optional rule that is only in one printing out of 3 of Street Magic. It allows you to take a Power Point instead of a Metamagic when you initiate (Though you are limited to having Powers equal to your Magic Rating active at once... So even if you had 12 points of adept powers, if your Magic Rating is 5, you can only have 5 Power Points active at any given time).

Incorrect.

The only such restriction is the number of ranks you may have in any single power. This in no way applies to the number you can have active at a time. In fact, unless the power is specifically activated, it is assumed to always be on anyways (I don't think you even can turn them off, outside of reducing your magic).

[Mäx]

It's an optional rule that is only in one printing out of 3 of Street Magic.

And in the only errata ever released for the book, witch actually matters more then whether or not it's in the latest printing.

[Blade]

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.

So that people who've bought these books will have stronger character than those who haven't? Is that me, or is Shadowrun falling into the 'spend $10 to get a 10% boost for your character' mentality that so (too) many RPG have?

I know it starts with Street Magic/Augmentation/Arsenal/Unwired, but at least those books tried to be more in a "more options" state of mind than in a "boost your character" one. (Even if, sadly, a lot of players favor the "boost your char" options that slipped through).

[Sengir]

http://www.facebook.com/SRMissions

New eBook released, unleashing your inner Adept! Unfortunately for Missions, it's entirely optional rules (all of the Shadowrun Options lines are), so they're not legal for use in Missions, at least not at this time (Like all optional rules, we'll evaluate them and potentially make exceptions if they seem balanced and like they will help make Missions better in the long run!)

We at NERPS Inc. are proud to reveal our new and groundbreaking product line today. As usually, using these on company grounds is strictly forbidden since we didn't bother to check if its safe to use. But don't be put off just because we as the manufacturer won't touch our own product with a ten-foot pole, please buy it.

[Grinder]

New eBook released, unleashing your inner Adept! Unfortunately for Missions, it's entirely optional rules (all of the Shadowrun Options lines are), so they're not legal for use in Missions, at least not at this time (Like all optional rules, we'll evaluate them and potentially make exceptions if they seem balanced and like they will help make Missions better in the long run!)

That's hilarious. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rotfl.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/notworthy.gif)

[Fringe]

New eBook released, unleashing your inner Adept! Unfortunately for Missions, it's entirely optional rules (all of the Shadowrun Options lines are), so they're not legal for use in Missions, at least not at this time (Like all optional rules, we'll evaluate them and potentially make exceptions if they seem balanced and like they will help make Missions better in the long run!)

Note to self: Don't buy any more of the Options line. All I ever play or GM is Missions material, and even that's fraggin' rare. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sarcastic.gif)

[Wesley Street]

So that people who've bought these books will have stronger character than those who haven't? Is that me, or is Shadowrun falling into the 'spend $10 to get a 10% boost for your character' mentality that so (too) many RPG have?

I know it starts with Street Magic/Augmentation/Arsenal/Unwired, but at least those books tried to be more in a "more options" state of mind than in a "boost your character" one. (Even if, sadly, a lot of players favor the "boost your char" options that slipped through).

Street Magic and Arsenal had a lot of boosted options and Runner's Companion kicked it to another degree of ridiculousness. I don't think it's right but boosted characters is the result of splatbooks if they aren't playtested... *cough* Players who only have access to the core rule book are going to get dinged and, yes, that isn't fair.

That said I'm actually not against the idea of Shadowrun Options... in theory. Obviously I haven't put Way of the Adept to the test yet. If you can create a a lower BP build that requires a player to lose choices but gain a bit more of an edge, I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. It does encourage PCs to pursue verisimilitude over twinked-out builds that make little in-game sense. As a GM, I would be willing to concede a slightly better and thematically consistent build over some hypothetical cyber-drake hacker mage concept that's permitted only because the rules don't say a PC can't build it.

[Mäx]

Street Magic and Arsenal had a lot of boosted options and Runner's Companion kicked it to another degree of ridiculousness. I don't think it's right but boosted characters is the result of splatbooks if they aren't playtested... *cough* Players who only have access to the core rule book are going to get dinged and, yes, that isn't fair.

There's no reason what so ever for the extra corebooks if the options given in them are all weaker then the stuff from the base corebook.

[Blade]

No, but there is if the options are different from the stuff in the base corebook. For example the spiderman (I don't remember the exact name) implant in Augmentation is not "better" than anything in the BBB it's just a new and different option. That's the kind of stuff I'd like to see more of.

[Stormdrake]

So these new "Ways" seem similiar to what the elves in Tir Na Nog have been using for the last fifty years or so. The rest of the planet is just catching up. I am refering of course to the fluff (no rules) that have been written about Tir Na Nog.

[Stahlseele]

SR3 had rules for that too, not just fluff.

[Udoshi]

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.

As far as I heard, ALL the errata got dropped from the 3rd printing.

it sounds like your printing press accidentally printed a copy of the first printing, and called it third.

And the optional rule is still in the errata file, so.

Just another notch in catalyst's LONG line of inconsistent rules.

[Stormdrake]

Have to wonder if "Way of the Adept" is an indicator of what can be expected from the as yet unreleased book on new magic.

[Smokeskin]

How about an ability for Way of the Burnout like this:

Redline Attribute (0.25 per level)
Redline Attribute Boost must be purchased for a specific Physical attribute: Agility, Body, Reaction, or Strength. It can only be purchased for attributes that are increased through bioware or cyberware.
To gain the boost, make a Magic + (Attribute Boost) + (increase from bioware or cyberware) Test. Each hit on this test boosts the attribute by 1. The boost lasts for a number
of Combat Turns equal to the twice the number of hits generated. No attribute may be boosted past its maximum augmented value (p. 68).
Attribute Boost requires a Simple Action to activate.
When the boost runs out, you must resist Drain equal to the Attribute Boost rating + (increase from bioware or cyberware) using Willpower + Body; each hit reduces the Drain Value by one. Attribute Boost Drain is Physical damage.

[Critias]

So these new "Ways" seem similiar to what the elves in Tir Na Nog have been using for the last fifty years or so. The rest of the planet is just catching up. I am refering of course to the fluff (no rules) that have been written about Tir Na Nog.

Ways (for all adepts, not just Tir na nOg ones) have existed for multiple editions, now. This was just me coming up with some crunch to go with their fluff, giving players a tangible benefit for having chosen one.

[Bull]

Incorrect.

The only such restriction is the number of ranks you may have in any single power. This in no way applies to the number you can have active at a time. In fact, unless the power is specifically activated, it is assumed to always be on anyways (I don't think you even can turn them off, outside of reducing your magic).

And this right here was one of the problems with that optional rule... It was tacked on as an afterthought in the 2nd printing, apparently, because it got a single line and no accopmanying explanations or rules to go with it.

My statement above is how it should work, and how it worked in 3rd edition (Where you could buy additional power points). I also believe that this was the intent of the optional rule as well. Of course, since no one around here seems to ever be satisfied with "intent", well... *shrug* There a reason why ultimately we didn't include it in Missions.

Bull

[Bull]

http://www.facebook.com/SRMissions

We at NERPS Inc. are proud to reveal our new and groundbreaking product line today. As usually, using these on company grounds is strictly forbidden since we didn't bother to check if its safe to use. But don't be put off just because we as the manufacturer won't touch our own product with a ten-foot pole, please buy it.

That's not it at all. Optional rules for the game are great, and can really help out individual groups.

However, for Missions, we try and avoid using Optional Rules. This makes it easier for new players coming in to know what to expect. We only include Optional Rules if they enhance the overall game, without adding any complications or complexity. I read over Way of the Adept during the proofing stage. I like it, and would possibly use it for a home game. But I have no idea how this will effect the game in the long term, it adds a slight level of complexity to Adepts, and some players have already started new characters for Missions, and since these are something that are only really useful to new characters, we're not using the new rules yet. And very likely never will, just to keep things simple.

Bull

[Sengir]

However, for Missions, we try and avoid using Optional Rules. This makes it easier for new players coming in to know what to expect. We only include Optional Rules if they enhance the overall game, without adding any complications or complexity.

You mean a centaur with articulated weapon arms controlled by a machine sprite? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
[Warning: Figuring out which dice pools apply when might be harmful to your mental health]

The policy rather seems to be that modifications of existing rules (like non-delta implants for critters) are out, but not additions working inside the existing rule framework.

[longbowrocks]

You mean a centaur with articulated weapon arms controlled by a machine sprite? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
[Warning: Figuring out which dice pools apply when might be harmful to your mental health]

Can't you tell which dice pools apply? The better ones obviously. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/spin.gif)

[Bull]

You mean a centaur with articulated weapon arms controlled by a machine sprite? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
[Warning: Figuring out which dice pools apply when might be harmful to your mental health]

The policy rather seems to be that modifications of existing rules (like non-delta implants for critters) are out, but not additions working inside the existing rule framework.

I try and moderate a little with the Missions FAQ, but... *shrug* There's a limit to what I can do shy of scrapping the entire SR4 rules set and starting over. Every game system has areas that can be broken and abused. There's not a ton that can really be done if a player insists on being a power gamer. At that point, it's up to the GM to make sure that the player's potential abuses aren't detracting from the rest of the groups fun.

Bull

[Sengir]

My point was not powergaming, but that this character would be as queer as it gets and still be completely legal for SRM. Which kinda does not fit that the permissions are based on how unexpected or complicated something is...

[Stahlseele]

You mean a centaur with articulated weapon arms controlled by a machine sprite? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
[Warning: Figuring out which dice pools apply when might be harmful to your mental health]

The policy rather seems to be that modifications of existing rules (like non-delta implants for critters) are out, but not additions working inside the existing rule framework.

Hey, it's Binky O.o

[Squinky]

I bought it from DrivethruRPG, and skimmed about. So far I love it.

It helps to add some diversity to adepts, almost giving a pseudo class system.

I would love to see something like this for Cyber characters. Seriously. I want more cyber/bio and would love some optional little tidbit to fix the adrenaline pump (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)