[X] My Assistant

[Irion]

Just for the record:
Adpets have the easiest way known:
Way of the warrior + geasa= 4 IPs for 2 PP. Nice thing to have.
The only better deal would be synaptic booster, but there you have to put down a lot of cash.

The IP enhancement for mages sucks. Sorry.
You run into BC and your great 4 IPs get down to 3. (or your 3 down to 2).
If you can't afford a sustaining foci Force 5 or 6, you may as well drop it. Because Cram is just "safer".
Better one additional IP in the pocket, than 3 in the wind.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Not 'a ward', but 'enough wards to have full coverage'. It probably adds up a bit. But yes, they're cheap because they suck. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Opinions Differ, I guess. I like wards, even little ones at Force 3-4 (Typical Mage Ability) have purpose, and if you are aspecting them as Alarm Wards (See Street Magic) it is highly likely that if you encounter them, it is far too late to do anything about them, since you hvae already come in contact with them.

A more potent "Shadowrunner" level ward can be a serious barrier, if placed startegically.

[Yerameyahu]

Psh. Oh no, you go from 4 to 3 sometimes? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) You're a mage, so you certainly *can* afford a nice focus, until the day you just buy the Synaptics.

TJ, I'd charge significantly more cash for advanced wards.

[longbowrocks]

Just for the record:
Adpets have the easiest way known:
Way of the warrior + geasa= 4 IPs for 2 PP. Nice thing to have.
The only better deal would be synaptic booster, but there you have to put down a lot of cash.

The IP enhancement for mages sucks. Sorry.
You run into BC and your great 4 IPs get down to 3. (or your 3 down to 2).
If you can't afford a sustaining foci Force 5 or 6, you may as well drop it. Because Cram is just "safer".
Better one additional IP in the pocket, than 3 in the wind.

As you pointed out, the mage can cast higher. However, when the adept runs into a BC, he either needs to give up some of his IP's immediately, or buffer them by taking points out of his other skills.

[LurkerOutThere]

TJ: For the record TJ I was pulling the thousands number out from somewhere, I'm pretty sure it was more expensive previously. I will also go reread Alarm Wards, maybe i am talking out of my hat. As it stands I still don't see them all that usefull or common for reasons i've mentioned. It's like putting up a security system that only one guy can allow or deny access to and only 1 guy gets an email of if there's a break in.

[Irion]

@longbowrocks
Which is not such a big deal, because you normally have some powers not usable in the current situation.
If you are out to hunt yourself a pack of ghules, you do not need bonus dices to social skills.
(Right, out of chargen it is not that easy, because you only have 5 Points to throw around, but make it magic 7 and it ain't that bad...)


@LurkerOutThere
It is even worse: It will trigger every time some spirit or other magical critter goes through it.

[HunterHerne]

@LurkerOutThere
It is even worse: It will trigger every time some spirit or other magical critter goes through it.

This is true. However, most spirits would see a ward, and go around, unless something they are actively after is on the other side. Dual Natured creatures may be more of a problem, however, especially guard animals.

Even so, my interpretation of the rules (SR4A 194, Mana Barriers) and that it states the creator of a mana barrier may allow others to do so as well, they can create a barrier that allows the paracritters/ awakened guards to pass without getting false positives. THis would cut down on that problem, while opening a solution to savvy mages. (But, like anything else, no security system is perfect)

[Brazilian_Shinob...]

Just for the record:
Adpets have the easiest way known:
Way of the warrior + geasa= 4 IPs for 2 PP. Nice thing to have.
The only better deal would be synaptic booster, but there you have to put down a lot of cash.

The IP enhancement for mages sucks. Sorry.
You run into BC and your great 4 IPs get down to 3. (or your 3 down to 2).
If you can't afford a sustaining foci Force 5 or 6, you may as well drop it. Because Cram is just "safer".
Better one additional IP in the pocket, than 3 in the wind.

Choose your geasa wisely then.