Aspected Mages..., ...really look crappy Options

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Yes, that argument could work for a gamer looking at pure numbers.

Sir Jalynsfein, however, is of the old breed that still does things because of the flavour and style and does not see small faults as a discrepancy or lack, but rather an opportunity to exceed and overcome.

Indeed, This is my perspective. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Wired_SR_AEGIS]

I feel there's a difference between a challenging concept and a mechanical penalty. Playing a Street Sam with low starting resources? An Adept with low starting magic? A hacker with mediocre mental stats? A weapon specialist with a lame leg? Challenging concepts, sure, but they're fair.

Starting with 25 less karma than everyone else at the table, though? That's not a challenging concept and it's not fun. Essentially, that's what I believe playing an Aspected Mage does to a character.

Your assignment of 25 karma to the discrepancy value is probably selling the Full Magician option short.

-Wired_SR_AEGIS

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Starting with 25 less karma than everyone else at the table, though? That's not a challenging concept and it's not fun. Essentially, that's what I believe playing an Aspected Mage does to a character.

Which is NOT an Objective statement. It is very, very Subjective, but at least you recognize that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wobble.gif) .

[tangmcgame]

Anyway, to throw in my $.02 on the subject at hand, I prefer a solution that adjusts the Aspected option on the Priority chart. Something to the tune of the following (pending more analysis):

First, remove it from B priority altogether. Then change C to "Magic 3, one Rating 4 Magic skill group OR one rating 2 Magical skill group and 5 spells" and priority D to "Magic 2, one rating 2 Magical skill group OR one rating 3 Magical skill and 3 Spells." You trade general magical knowledge for more specialized talent; mechanically, you're trading long-term potential for an initial bump. In return, you're also going to have to work a bit harder to start with a high Magic score, but for the C and D priority levels, you're getting some nice returns.