I often see references here and there indicating the Stun damage tracks are shorter than Physical damage tracks. They seem to use the same rules, just different stats. Is there some kind of rule I'm not seeing that causes Stun tracks to be shorter than Physical tracks, or are you guys just squeezing that extra Body point at the expense of Willpower?

it's just that people tend to put more into body than will, for whatever reason.

They should be equally the same if not more emphasis on the stun track since if you get hit by a gun and the armor rating is higher than the dv its converted to stun damage. Also a savy mage would use manaball over powerball since mana only affects living tissue and spirits thus leaving all the non-living goodies like cyberware and guns behind while powerball affects everything physical which leaves a bigger mark

Don't forget that Trolls get an obscene modification to Body, putting their augmented maximum at 15. Thus 8 + 15/2 (round up) = 16 physical damage boxes. Alternatively, the highest will power is the dwarven 10, giving you only 8 + 10/2 = 13 stun damage boxes. That's why the stun damage track is theoretically going to be shorter than the physical one.

Couple more things to note

• There is Body-boosting cyber and bioware, but none for Willpower
• Every cyberlimb, including skulls and torsos, adds 1 box to the Physical condition monitor, for up to +6 from that

There is an exception, powerful magicians that often have modest body stats.

At best, with optimal race and exceptional attribute you have will 8. most chars will have 6 at best

On the other hand increasing body to 9 or higher is easy using cyber wear. Trolls with 15 body are eminently possible. And you get the cyber limb bonuses

Thus the stun track is shorter than the physical track in most cases. They even drew les boxes on the character sheet stun track because of this.

edward