Mechanics Thread Rulings

This page is a collection of questions and answers to the mechanics threads. Additional questions can be directed to the mechanics team in the #mechanics channel on Discord, or in the current mechanics thread It is currently a work in progress, as the contents of the threads are copied over. Please refer to the threads for now.

Mechanics Thread I

Powered Breakdown & Chameleon Coating

Q: The inability to put both chameleon coating and powered breakdown has been a thorn on the side of stealth. Could PCs be able to pay the price and add both to a single side slot?

A: The limitations on slots as relating to Easy Breakdown and Chameleon Coating will remain in place.

Ares briefcase shield & MAD Shielding

Q: Could PCs pay an extra sum to make the Ares briefcase shield MAD proof, or otherwise get a MAD proof briefcase?

A: The Ares Briefcase Shield is non-ferrous and not itself affected by MAD scanners. It does not provide shielding to items within it, nor will Mechanics Team create wholesale rules for MAD shielding.

Retroactive Adapsin

Q: Does Adapsin retroactively reduce essence cost of already implanted cyberware?

A: For simplicity's sake, Adapsin will provide immediate essence reduction of already implanted 'ware. This will leave an essence hole, without true essence recovery. This is solely to save the step of "Yo, street doc, rip out all my 'ware and put it back in."

RCC & Sleaze Dongle

Q: Can you put a sleaze dongle on an RCC? Because that would give riggers an actual chance against deckers.

A: You cannot put a sleaze dongle on an RCC. You can modify in a sleaze rating per device modifications, then run Smoke and Mirrors or other sleaze-boosting programs.

Called Shot Spellcasting

Q: Can you make called shots with single target indirect spells, like lightning bolt?

A: You cannot call a shot with spellcasting of any variety.

Bullseye Burst

Q: Does bullseye burst apply the -2 defense penalty?

A: Bullseye burst does not provide any defense penalty, regardless of how many bullets are fired.

Biofiber Pocket

Q: The biofiber pocket (HT 185) says that it obscures the auras and astral forms of foci using dual natured plant life contained within the pocket. Does that mean that this plant life has an astral form that can be detected through assensing? If so, the availability 10F biofiber pocket would give away its own illegal existence, as well as being a big neon sign saying 'search me, I'm hiding foci!' to any assensing security mage or spirit. If not, that raises the question of how the biofiber pocket actually works (and potentially if it is even necessary).

A: Biofiber pockets are a detectible aura, however, they generally do not extend outside of the clothing they are within unless someone sticks their head into your pants. This means they are pretty easy to not detect. It will, however, still mask foci within from being seen from outside them. Protection, unless someone is sticking their head into your pants.

Missions rules: One (1) Offensive Action

Q: Do we use this missions rule? "In combat it says I can only make one attack action. What exactly does this mean? It means don’t get cute and try to play word games. Barring using the Multiple Attacks Free Action (in which you split your dice pool to attack multiple targets), you cannot take a second offensive action towards another character during your pass. This means throwing grenades, shooting guns, casting spells (recklessly or otherwise), spitting in their cheerios, spiking their tea with arsenic, or anything else that could be construed as a physical or mental attack in any way, shape or form. However, you may take a Free Action to cast disparaging remarks at their mothers if you so choose. If you’re not certain if an action would be an attack, well, it probably is. But ask yourself if they used it against you would it be an attack? And if you’re still not certain, ask your Gamemaster. However, be warned, if you try and argue with him he is authorized to smack you upside the head with the Shadowrun, Fifth Edition book." On that which missions rules besides this if any do we use?

A: This rule is in effect on ShadowHaven.

Modular Limbs/Modular Connectors

Q: How in gods name do Modular Connectors work for limbs? Can they be put in limbs, like putting a modular connector into an obvious cyberleg to have the ability to switch it out from the knee and below?

A: Modular connectors between flesh and limb work in one of two ways - either you purchase a connector and place it in your flesh, allowing you to change out any appropriately-sized limb, or you purchase a modular limb and can swap it out without the use of a connector, but only with other modular limbs. Essentially, you pay in capacity, or you pay in essence. In either case, your essence will adjust, leaving essence holes as appropriate, to any changes in your limbs. A connector does not place a limb into its capacity, so it still costs essence to have an arm attached to a connector.

Calling Ritual

Q: Calling Ritual, Street Grimoire Page 126 The composition of paraphernalia is always specific to the class of spirit (e.g., shedim, leprechaun, etc.). Identifying the necessary paraphernalia to call a specifc spirit type requires a Logic + Arcana [Mental] (20, 1 day) Extended Test Do I have to do this for each time I attempt Calling, or only once per class of spirit?

A: In order to attempt Calling, you must make the appropriate Logic + Arcana extended test to identify Paraphernalia each time.

Chemseal Urban Explorer Jumpsuit

Q: Can you put a chemseal in an urban explorer jumpsuit with the helmet?

A: Chemical Seal may be applied to any armor that comes with it's own helmet automatically. In order to use this chemical seal, it must be... Placed via capacity into the body of the armor The helmet must be worn And there can be no other helmet or head-covering worn in addition to it. In essence, the helmet must be closed-face, precluding one from wearing a ballistic mask or helmet on top of it. The sole exception is for Full Body Armor, which can receive a chemical seal without the use of capacity, by having it inbuilt at the increased availability and cost listed in the core rulebook. This is only for Full Body Armor, however, not any other armor.

Chemseal & Sunlight Allergy

Q: Does chemseal provide enough protection from the sun to reduce an infected allergy to sunlight to mild? Does radiation protection 6?

A: Chemical Seal does not have any particular effect on sunlight. A material's porousness to liquids and chemicals has no impact on the ability of ultraviolet (or infrared, for that matter) light to pass through. However, most armor that is capable of providing chemical seal will by its nature reduce sunlight allergies by two steps when worn fully. Radiation protection has nothing to do with it, referring to alpha and beta radiation, not ~~electromagnetic~~ ultraviolet radiation. Ultimately, specific cases will come down to GM fiat, however, if no skin is exposed it likely qualifies for a reduction. Assume UV treatment is part of your lifestyle costs.