QUOTE (Tzeentch @ Jul 2 2013, 01:21 AM)
A level of Magic Resistance (SR4A, p. 91) for every point of Essence below 5 seems within the bounds of canon. But it's a bit of a double-edge sword considering how reliant many shadowrunner teams are on quick magical healing. As an alternative, at some threshold value the samurai may acquires the equivalent of Arcane Arrester (Runner's Companion, p. 111).
It's a difficult one as your turning closer and closer to a machine, so one could argue you should not get to use willpower but have a threshold like object but that gets into all sort of mess.
I like Tzeentch's idea of for every full point of essence below 5 gives 1 pt magic resistance (ie +1 dice to your spell resistance, can NOT be turned off for spells you want to happen to you- may need to look at heal spells to see how this balanes or just use their rules already in place for the direct heal at least, if normal resist rolls do not apply then a -1 to caster roll could apply) and should not too breaking as you would end at +4 Resist at 1 - 0.01 Ess plus it keeps with current theme of limit of 4 for bonuses and stuff
So quick recap
Ess 6-4.01 : Normal (you don't get MR for moderate surgery, plus some mages will have this sort of ess due to fights/minor cyber )
Ess 4-3.01: +1 MR
Ess 3-2.01: +2 MR
Ess 2-1.01: +3 MR
Ess 1-0.01: +4 MR
Ess 0 : Dead, consult your local delta physician and ask if Cybermancy™ may be right for you.
So lets take Sam the Street Sam with a 1 Essence and a Body 5 and Will 3
Sam gets slammed by a manabolt so would get to roll 7 dice (will gives 3 plus 4 for having 1 Ess or less)
Sam is about to get shot by a troll wielding a .50 cal so the mage tries to throw an armor spell on him to provide extra defense. Normally there is no resist, its just the mages hits to provide armor. In this case the mage would take a -4 dice to his roll as Sam naturally reduces the effect of the spell, drain would be as normal. SO he will probably get 1-2 less armor from the spell, figuring on the average. Same would apply for any stat boosting spells.
It is a good thought without being too unbalancing, but it has to be remembered that it is a double edged sword and not just a free bonus.
Plus keep in mind it also means if your team is going up against heavily cybered foes it works for them the same way. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
Think I will try this out in our campaign and see how it fares.