Yet another Shadowrun magic question, How illeagle is that voodoo that you do? Options

[Mortax]

So does anyone out there have a decent list of leagality on spells and summoning? I've never seen anything cannon except use common sense, but I'm guessing some of you have some house rules. I"m assuming mind manipulation spells and cobat spells are illeagle, and I know that any act commited with magic is considered pre-meditated. Other than that, I've been winging it.

[Nikoli]

Force 3 and under are legel, IIRC, anything higer needs a permit.

Flat out combat spells, aside from I think maybe stun type are also in need of permits if at all legal for Joe Wizard on the street.

[Fortune]

Anything of Force 3 and over is illegal unless you have a permit.

[Capt. Dave]

Criminal acts committed by a spirit are the responsibility to its summoner.

There's more info in MITS, pg. 11

[Kanada Ten]

Also note, in honor of the subtitle, that the CAS has put a bounty on the heads of those that summon Zombies after 2061.

[Eyeless Blond]

I always thought that the blanket "Force <3 = legal, everything else = illegal" thing was kinda dumb, but then most of the legality codes are pretty dumb. Legality codes should be based on the spell: things that do damage to people (Manabolt, Fireball, etc) should require a permit no matter *what* the force, while a Force 3 Makeover spell should be just fine and dandy. Limiting spell legality by Force is as dumb as limiting legality of physical objects by weight ("That pocket knife's only a pound, so it's just fine. That computer monitor, though... you have a permit for that?")

[Kanada Ten]

I've come to the opinion that all magic should be considered illegal without a permit, but an analogy that might fit: force 1 spells are to scooters as force 3 spells are to motorcycles. That's how a mundane laymen lawmaker might be convinced of it. Lumping all magic in one group makes it easier to handle, at least initially.

They really should decide punishment and degree of legality with a bit more finess after 50 years though.

[Sandoval Smith]

I call it a case of simply not wanting to have to make a big table, or a multiple page rule write up of what's illegal at what power and when. In very few circumstances will there be any legal reprecussions for using a high force heal spell, even less for something like Makeover. If you use a force 6 treat on the LS patrolman that ganger just shot, well shucks, he had an awakened partner, but the guy was assening the other way when you cast the spell.

I find treating spell use like that is a much less stressful way to GM.

[Eyeless Blond]

[Edward]

The book says in one place force<3 is legal, in another it says force>3 is illegal. My GM ruled that this accurately represents the law and the legal status of force 3 magical effects is not well defined.

The banning of spells over force 3 was a political action not a logical one, some spells (such as forced mind reading) are illegal as well, the perception seems to be that a force 2 mana bolt is no more dangerous than a BB gun, and impractical to regulate.

Remember it was mundanes that made these laws.

As to the legality of a force 6 heal spell, it would be in the same bucket as CPR is today. Technically your not supposed to do it without a first aid ticket and you cant claim on your resume you know how (and thus should get the higher pay of the office first aider) if your training but when a life is in danger and you save it nobody is going to issue a complaint and the licence would be a short course focusing on not harshing yourself out on drain when your in a dangerous situation.

Edward

[Fortune]

I recall reading in canon (not sure where) that healing spells are quite restricted, due to the powerful medical union (AMA?). Most of them require licensing, no matter what the Force.

[Edward]

there are several references to that but I think most of the legislation is held over from operating without a medical licence. It could be however that low force (legal) heal and treat spells are permitted for first aiders and higher force ones require a medical licence. (similar to how a first aider cant get all the equipment and drugs found in an ambulance).

Edward

[Tarantula]

Also note, since it was in the subtitle, the section on Zombies clearly states they are outlawed throughout north america. Other nations are working on it.

[Tarantula]

[DrJest]