[X] My Assistant

[Nerdynick]

So the way weapon foci work is that the attuned wearer activates it and channels his magic through it, thereby making it dual natured. Why couldn't a mage or adept do this with a suit of armor properly enchanted for such things?

Just a theory for discussion. I know it would screw with a lot of the game's mechanics, but would this work in the fluff?

Sorry if this has been brought up before, but my search-fu is failing miserably today.

[Fortinbras]

It's harder to enchant processed and artificial things, like kevlar. As a Shadowrunner, your armor is more likely going to look like a cullender after a few runs than anything else, so there goes your foci.

You theoretically could turn your armored jacket into a foci or fetish, but I don't see how that would be superior to a ring or wand or grass skirt.

[Udoshi]

I believe the easiest way to make an armor focus, under the current rules, is with a Sustaining focus, on a mage with the Armor spell. Or possibly reinforce. I know there's one that raises existing armor value.

Or, possibly, a Custom Enchantment.

[Nerdynick]

I was considering a sustained armor spell, but that wouldn't protect from astral combat since its not dual natured.

I suppose, rules wise, it would be closest to the Mystic Armor adept power. But I was more wondering if this would be possible in the fluff.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

I was considering a sustained armor spell, but that wouldn't protect from astral combat since its not dual natured.

I suppose, rules wise, it would be closest to the Mystic Armor adept power. But I was more wondering if this would be possible in the fluff.

You do know that there is an Astral Version of the Armor Spell, right? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Fortinbras]

And you do know that making armor dual natured doesn't make it protect the you astrally the way mundane armor does, right?

[HunterHerne]

And you do know that making armor dual natured doesn't make it protect the you astrally the way mundane armor does, right?

Of course not. But allowing "armour foci" would allow for a boost in astral defence.

And, I've thought about this, mostly because I was a D&D player before SR. The only reasonable thing I can think of is that the armour foci adds dice to damage resistance, but doesn't impact what counts for reducing damage from physical to stun, much like Weapon Foci don't add directly to damage.

Also: It doesn't necessarily have to be armour, but a ring, if the GM allows it, but the GM could also figure to restrict it, much as weapon foci are restricted to things you hit people with, and can't be used with ranged weapons.

[Fortinbras]

How so?

[HunterHerne]

The actual foci boost would increase dice on the resistance test for both astral and physical combat.

[Mäx]

How so?

Umm, exactly the same way as weapon focus works in astral just like it does in real world.

[HunterHerne]

Umm, exactly the same way as weapon focus works in astral just like it does in real world.

Yeah, good point. I forgot about that.

[Fortinbras]

Only if it's Counterspelling foci, and then it works whether it armor or earrings.
Just wearing something that is dual natured doesn't give you a boost to anything.

EDIT: A Weapon focus works in the real world because it's a weapon. It works in the astral because it's a weapon focus. It would not do the same were the weapon a sustaining focus.

[Mäx]

EDIT: A Weapon focus works in the real world because it's a weapon. It works in the astral because it's a weapon focus. It would not do the same were the weapon a sustaining focus.

You do realise that the topic is about a new type of a foci, right (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
Or at the very least the post you responded to was.

[HunterHerne]

In which case, what would people cost it at?

[Yerameyahu]

I'm not dismissing the idea here, but merely putting forth my perspective: the fewer 'magic items' in SR4, the better. It's not a game that should have rings of protection, etc. Weapon foci fulfill a unique need: attacking intangible things. Armor foci, on the other hand, would just be giving you more armor. Everything can already resist any attack (even stunbolt), so it's not enabling a unique situation like weapon foci do. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Also, this question will be answered in an upcoming sourcebook! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Facrissake, people: a focus, some foci.

[Fortinbras]

As I understood it, Nick was suggesting with "Why don't magicians..." that this be done with an existing focus.

But yeah, if you want to make up a new house rule that's fine. Go nuts.

[Fortinbras]

Also, this question will be answered in an upcoming sourcebook! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Artifacts Unbound?

[Mäx]

Artifacts Unbound?

It's just a joke, referening to a line found in many of the FAQ:s answers to magic related questions.
It was most likely reference to the Advanced magic book Ancient History was writing before he quit, only god knows whether we're still gonna get a book like that one day.

[Fortinbras]

It's just a joke, referening to a line found in many of the FAQ:s answers to magic related questions.

Yes, and...

It was most likely reference to the Advanced magic book Ancient History was writing before he quit, only god knows whether we're still gonna get a book like that one day.

Tell me about it. I have the chapters of Mr. Derie's unpublished Harlequin's Gambit and would really have liked to have seen that come to fruition. I don't need new Magic rules, but I liked the idea of there being more of a connection between the plots of FASA and Catalyst Shadowrun.

[Mäx]

Tell me about it. I have the chapters of Mr. Derie's unpublished Harlequin's Gambit and would really have liked to have seen that come to fruition. I don't need new Magic rules, but I liked the idea of there being more of a connection between the plots of FASA and Catalyst Shadowrun.

I was actually referring to the text while he released just titled NotesTowardTheAdvancedMagicBook_Derie.

[BishopMcQ]

Options:

Stacked Sustaining Focus--Effectively two sustaining foci in the same physical item--costs the same as bonding/crafting two separate foci, only one physical item. Sustain Armor and Astral Armor.
Unique Enchantment--Damage Reduction: Adds bonus dice equal to Force for all Damage Resistance tests, note--does not apply to Drain resistance.
Ritual Link--through advanced metamagic techniques based on Sacrifice, the creator forges a link between the bearer and another creature. On each attack, (Grade) boxes of damage are immediately shunted to the other creature and soaked normally. Due to the magical nature of the shift, Armor does not aid the other creature in resisting the damage.

Edit: I'd put the Unique Enchantment as a Bonding cost equal to a Power Focus. Independent research required to custom craft the enchantment. (Yay Arcana)

Ritual Link--advanced metamagic, requiring Sacrifice and Power Bleed.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Just Awesome BishopMcQ... Perfect ideas all around. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[LurkerOutThere]

Ugghhh the last thing the game needs is an advanced magic book. We're already verging to magicrun territory as is.

[pbangarth]

Options:

Stacked Sustaining Focus--Effectively two sustaining foci in the same physical item--costs the same as bonding/crafting two separate foci, only one physical item. Sustain Armor and Astral Armor.

Of course, one would have to figure out the fine details, such as the fact that the Armor spell is a Physical spell. What would happen to it if the bearer of the focus projected astrally?

[HunterHerne]

Of course, one would have to figure out the fine details, such as the fact that the Armor spell is a Physical spell. What would happen to it if the bearer of the focus projected astrally?

Same thing as any other physical sustained spell. As long as the stacked focus/spell isn't messed with too badly, the spell still stays in effect, and protects the (empty) body of the mage (or whoever was targeted).