I am creating a mage with the spells
Demolish Ammunition, Demolish Cybernetics and, Demolish Electronics.
Demolish [Object] (Direct, Area)
Type: P • Range: LOS (A) • Damage: P • Duration: I • DV: (F÷2)+2
These variants of Shatter/Powerbolt/Powerball (p. 197, SR4) only work against a specific inanimate object. Each different
type of object requires a separate spell: Ram Door, Wreck Vehicle, Demolish Gun, and so on.
As per the rules the demolish spell is a "targetted Powerbolt" type effect where nothing else is harmed in the area save for the type of object being affected.
The Demolish spell is "direct" and affects inanimate objects from the inside out so no resistance tests are allowed from armor and since they have no inherent mana link they cannot get any kind of willpower type test either. The only test needed is a success test by the caster to overcome the object resistance test (p. 174 SR4)
All of the above items affected would be a 4 or higher target number since they are all complex, highly machined, and processed inanimate objects.
Now my question is, how much damage would be needed to demolish say a few clips of ammo or a cyber arm and wired reflexes or what have you?
The barrier ratings (p. 157 SR4) listed do not really cover smaller items or materials that are used to create bullets, electronics, or cyberware. Also, the structure rating listed is for destroying a 1 meter square of the substance that is 10cm (4 inches) thick. Not nearly as much material is included in one or even 20 clips of ammo, Maybe a heavily cybered up street samurai with a ton of bone lacing and dermal plating would have the equivalent of a 1 meter square, 4 inch thick plate of densiplast or a metal beam.
Has anyone dealt with this spell before? How did you and your GM work it out? If not, what ruling would you make?
Thanks for your help!