Mechanics Rulings
Coordinating Work
The following table is for copy/paste purposes if you need to create a new section. If you are currently editing the page, please change the Active Editor status to Yes so we don't end up overlapping. If you are finished, Change the active editor status to No and then place a permalink to the next question that STILL NEEDS TO BE ADDED.
If a post contains multiple questions, post them one question at a time. If a post pertains to multiple categories, add it to all categories it would apply to.
| Question | Answer | Active Ruling? |
|---|---|---|
| Example | Example | Yes |
Is there an active editor now?: Yes
This is where I left off: https://old.reddit.com/r/ShadowHavenBBS/comments/7fhhvl/mechanics_thread_i/drb62zs/
Weapons
| Question | Answer | Active Ruling? |
|---|---|---|
| What is a "sniper rifle", and what is a "hunting rifle"? I ask specifically in reference to drone weapon mounts. | For the purposes of drone mounts, Hunting Rifles will include all Sporting rifles. | Yes |
| What is the information for normal, non-SNS Gyrojet ammo for the gyrojet pistol? It doesn't appear to be in the errata or Hard Targets. | The Gyrojet pistol has two types of ammo. The full statline will be provided below. One of these is fabricated but identical to what is listed in Hero Lab. Gyrojet Ammo - +0 DV, +0 AP. 12F availability. 80 nuyen/10 rounds. Gyrojet Stick'n'shock - -2S(e), -5 AP. 14R availability. 160 nuyen/10 rounds. |
Yes |
| Can monofilament whips be used for the sweep, entangle and nerve strike maneuver? | Partial. Monofilament whips may be used for sweep per this ruling | |
| Can you make called shots with the ares screech rifle (mostly wondering about CS vitals)? Also, can turning off your cyber ears give you immunity against the damage done by screech rifle? | The Ares Screech Sonic Rifle works against targets who are deaf or who have cyberears off just the same as those who are not deaf, or who have normal ears. The Ares Screech Sonic Rifle cannot be used for called shots. I mean, seriously. Come on man. | Yes |
| Is the Aztechnology one-shot-and-then-useless-forever, or can it be reloaded? | The Aztechnology Striker is destroyed upon firing. It is not reusable in any sense of the word. | Yes |
| We have a bunch of guns whose dmg codes assume they are loaded with regular flechette ammo. Can these weapons be loaded with SnS flechette? And will that apply the -2 dmg, -5 AP of a SnS ammo instead of the blend of flechette and SnS codes that Catalyst gave SnS flechette? | Stick n Shock Flechette can only be loaded into shotguns per RAW. Weapons with Flechette as part of their damage code default can only fire flechette rounds. This does not include Stick n Shock Flechette. | Yes |
| Parashield Dart pistols and Parashield Dart rifles & Drone weapon mounts. Can we have a documented answer to refer to about which kind of weapon mounts these weapons go into please? | Parashield Dart Pistols will be treated as Heavy Pistols for the purposes of mounting them on drones and vehicles. Parashield Dart Rifles will be treated as Sniper Rifles for the purposes of mounting them on drones and vehicles. | Yes |
Armor
| Question | Answer | Active Ruling? |
|---|---|---|
| Example | Example | Yes |
Weapons/Armor Modification
| Question | Answer | Active Ruling? |
|---|---|---|
| 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? | The limitations on slots as relating to Easy Breakdown and Chameleon Coating will remain in place. | Yes |
| Could PCs pay an extra sum to make the Ares briefcase shield MAD proof, or otherwise get a MAD proof briefcase? | 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. | Yes |
| he 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). | 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. | Yes |
| Can you put a chemseal in an urban explorer jumpsuit with the helmet? | 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... (1) Placed via capacity into the body of the armor (2)The helmet must be worn (3) 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 recieve 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. | Yes |
| Does chemseal provide enough protection from the sun to reduce an infected allergy to sunlight to mild? Does radiation protection 6? | 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 it's 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 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. | Yes |
| Concealability mods from clothes: Do they stack, eg mortimer stuff or cloak? | Concealability from multiple pieces of armor does not stack with other pieces of armor. It will however stack with a concealed pocket or a concealed holster. Note the singular articles there. | Yes |
Cyber and Bioware
| Question | Answer | Active Ruling? |
|---|---|---|
| Does Adapsin retroactively reduce essence cost of already implanted cyberware? | 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." | Yes |
| 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? | 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. | Yes |
| There's an incredibly cheap piece of ware, Bilateral Co-ordination Co-processor, that's about 0.2 Esse and 4.5k Nuyen to eliminate the penalties for all hands, yet it seems like Nartaki's need to take Ambidexterity three times to eliminate their offhand penalties | The Bilateral Coordination Coprocessor will reduce penalties by 2 for any given action. If you are only using one non-primary hand, this will typically be sufficient. However, if you are using multiple, the GM may apply the penalty multiple times, at their discretion. I suggest they only do this in cases where multiple limbs are required to coordinate to a higher degree than firing a weapon - for example performing brain surgery. | Yes |
| If you are putting digigrade legs in Obvious full legs. Does it cost capacity and essence? Because pg 89 of Chrome flesh is showing 4 capacity and 0.25 essence cost per leg, in addition to cyberleg essence cost. | Digigrade legs cost both essence and capacity. The increased essence cost is affected by 'ware grade as usual. It adds to the essence cost of the leg for the purposes of reductions. This is weird, I know but the table is pretty clear. | Yes |
| Does PT bioware affect regeneration? Specifically does PT ware count as deltaware for purposes of not getting rejected by regeneration, or does it get rejected like regular bioware? | Prototype Transhuman Bioware is not special. It is still detected by Assensing, and it is still rejected by those things that push out other 'ware. If this affects an active character, please reach out to Council immediately. | Yes |
Electronics
| Question | Answer | Active Ruling? |
|---|---|---|
| Can you put a sleaze dongle on an RCC? Because that would give riggers an actual chance against deckers. | 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. | Yes |
| Does the Virtual Machine program increase the number of autosofts an RRC can run? | Yes | |
| "Here’s a list of handy programs for the savvy rigger and their basic function. See the Programs section of the Matrix chapter (p. 243) for more detail." -Rigger Programs Sidebar, pg. 269 Core. Are these the only programs that can be run on a RRC? | The RCC can run any common or hacking program, though many of them will not be useful. The sole exception is that they cannot run programs that alter an attribute they do not possess already. This means they cannot run, for example, Smoke and Mirrors to gain a sleaze score unless they somehow already have one. | Yes |
Matrix
| Question | Answer | Active Ruling? |
|---|---|---|
| Does Adrenaline Surge apply to Matrix and Astral Initiative? | Adrenaline Surge will function only on Meat initiative. | Yes |
Magic
| Question | Answer | Active Ruling? |
|---|---|---|
| Can you make called shots with single target indirect spells, like lightning bolt? | You cannot call a shot with spellcasting of any variety. | Yes |
| Calling Ritual, Street Grimoire Page 126 The composition of paraphernalia is always specifc 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? | In order to attempt Calling, you must make the papropriate Logic + Arcana extended test to identify Paraphenalia each time. | Yes, however, calling is banned on the ShadowHaven at this time |
| Can you turn cyberweapons like Hand blades and spurs into weapon foci? | Implants of any kind cannot be both implanted in a living body and be a focus. Per SG, the conflicting auras do not permit it. EDIT: Qi foci may explicitly be tattooed. As a result, one may have a cyberimplant that is also a Qi Focus. Other foci remain invalid targets. | Yes |
| Can Free Spirits learn and use the Calling Ritual? | Free spirits cannot learn or utilize the Calling Ritual. As a general rule, "Can a spirit make more spirits" will be answered with "No" unless there is an explicit "Yes" as an exception to the general rule. | Yes, however, calling is banned on the ShadowHaven at this time |
| The Calling ritual states that Mundanes can use Arcana instead of Ritual Spellcasting; does this mean Emerged and non-ritual casting Awakened (Adepts, some Mysads, aspected Magi) cannot? | As relates to the Calling Ritual, someone who is Mundane (and thus able to utilize Arcana instead of Ritual Spellcasting) shall be considered to be someone who has no Magic score whatsoever. This means that Emerged can, but that non ritual spellcasting Awakened cannot. Incidentally, it also means that Dual Natured beings cannot unless they have Ritual Spellcasting. | Yes, however, calling is banned on the ShadowHaven at this time |
| Spirit physical bodies can ignore gravity. This is known, and explicitly called out as 'physical bodies' not 'materialized bodies'. Inhabitation (spirit power) allows a spirit to completely take over a host body, as with bug spirits, and some bugs have wings and the ability to fly explicitly stated, What about Possession (a different spirit power)? | Spirits utilizing the Possession power may only move in the ways that their host entity could ordinarily move. While this is only explicitly stated under Dead/Inanimate Vessels, we will extrapolate this to apply to living ones as well. | Yes |
| Does Adrenaline Surge apply to Matrix and Astral Initiative? | Adrenaline Surge will function only on Meat initiative. | Yes |
| Could it be posible to substitute the final part of getting an ally spirit (conjuring and binding the ally spirit. PG 201 SG) to instead undertake a metaplaner quest (initiation run) | It is not possible to substitute as stated in your original, unedited question. | Yes |
| If your channeling and using spirit powers, can you add power focus to the spirit power? | While channelling, being possessed, or being inhabited, you cannot utilize foci, as they have not been bonded to the you+spirit amalgram, and have only been bonded to you. This is universally true, not just in relation to critter powers, but in relation to all rolls that would utilize the foci. | Yes |
| On page 95 of Forbidden Arcana, the alternate Spider mentor spirit grants 2 free ranks of the spirit claw adept powers as one of its advantages. However, according to Street Grimoire page 174, spirit claw doesn't have levels. Should anything be done about this? | Alternate Spider, as listed on FA 100 will be given one rank of Hang Time (SG 171) and one rank of Spirit Claw (SG 174), instead of the listed benefits. | Yes |
| So, as most of us know with the two spells of mindlink, and mindnet, your able to communicate immages, emotions, and other senses to one another as a way of communication. However, it's stated that mindlink lets willing subjects within touching range send these thoughts to one another, and with mind net, it says a willing group of people. Now it's obvious that mindnet wouldn't work, but what classfies as willing subjects with mindlink? I understand that metahumans count...But what about things like animals? Or spirits? They should technically be considered subjects under the RAW of mindlink...Willing or not is a different matter together however, if somehow another subject besides metahumans was willing, would mindlink work? | For the purposes of Mindlink and Mindnet, only metahumans and metasapients (including Shapeshifters) may both be considered willing and be considered subjects. | Yes |
| Looking Glass: Spell from Shadow Spells (pg 21): The spell allows the caster to change the properties of material to allow light to pass through it. How does this affect: 1) Sunlight passing through with regards to allergies on Infected 2) Laser weapons passing through with regards to DV/range (3) What about other EM waves? Would casting Looking Glass on a Faraday cage allow wifi or radio through? Would casting on lead allow gamma rays? Or is it just "things within normal creatures' perception ranges' ie thermographic and UV (Reindeer and some other things can see it)? |
(1)The Looking Glass spell permits UV light through just the same as regular light, and thus sunlight passing through would trigger Sunlight allergies. (2) Laser weapons are capable of firing through Looking Glass-affected material. Incidentally, this is why Firewatch uses lasers. (3) hings traditionally considered light, so Visible, Infrared, and Ultraviolet light. |
Yes |
Combat
| Question | Answer | Active Ruling? |
|---|---|---|
| Does bullseye burst apply the -2 defense penalty? | Bullseye burst does not provide any defense penalty, regardless of how many bullets are fired. | Yes |
| 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." | This rule is in effect on ShadowHaven. | Yes |
| If you launch an impact grenade at a target A, currently subduing B. Can target A use an interrupt action to let go and run for their life with a single interrupt action? Or will it require two interrupts, one to let go and one to RFYL? | In order to exit a subduing combat as the subduer, one must take a free action. If one has a free action available, they may do this at any time, the same as most other free actions - it need not be on their turn. However, the previously subdued party is free, since they are still in contact at that point, to take an interrupt action to attempt to subue their opponent. This is a -5 initiative interrupt action as described under "Suduing" on page 123 Run and Gun. They may also attempt a Reversal using the rules found in the same section, assuming they possess the appropriate training. There is no interrupt action needed to release a subduing combat, so your original question possesses an invalid supposition. | Yes |
| Should you be able to take a Called Shot with Aiming in some way, whether you do the Called Shot beforehand or after the Aiming? Other actions don't really make sense at all, but Called Shot seems like it'd be perfectly reasonable. | For sanity's sake, assume that the free action in conjunction with the attack action for a Called Shot does not reset the Take Aim bonuses. It happens simultaneously, not prior to. So Take Aim and Called Shots can work together. | Yes |
Qualities
| Question | Answer | Active Ruling? |
|---|---|---|
| Does a Nartaki require three instances of Ambidexterity to eliminate their penalties? Note, penalties, not pool splitting. | A nartaki, or anyone else with Shiva Arms, requires an instance of Ambidextrous for each additional arm in order to avoid penalties with said arm. | Yes |
| Do you need to meet the requirements for qualities granted to you for free? For example, Dark Ally granted by Traditionalist Black Mage, which has a requirement of Binding 7 and Ritual Spellcasting 9 normally, but is given for free by TBM. Or does "free" simply mean no karma cost to buy it, but you still need to meet the requirements. | In order to utilize a "free" quality, one must still meet all requirements of the quality. This does not apply if the source of the free quality explicitly states that you do not have to meet the requirements. | Yes |
| For a character that has something along the lines of Antidepressants or other medications that aren't quite at the level of being proper drugs, but are enough of a mood-altering/control thing that they use it to self-medicate, how would this be best represented? Dependents(Nuisance), Illness, Bi-Polar, or something else? | Nonmechanical impact of drugs such as anti-depressants and etc. do not need to be represented on the sheet. You can assume that they are a part of your lifestyle, though that might be a little tricky if you're a squatter. The real pro tip is don't be a squatter. | Yes |
Lifestyle
| Question | Answer | Active Ruling? |
|---|---|---|
| The Hobo With a Shotgun quality gives -2 to mental attributes if you stay in a better lifestyle than Squatter. Would staying in a Bolthole lifestyle trigger this penalty? For comparison, Squatter's max Comforts level is 2 while Bolthole's is 3 but you could always not go full on the comforts for the bolthole if that would be a deciding factor. | The Hobo With A Shotgun actually states that you will not willingly stay in a better lifestyle than squatter. This means that you cannot pay for it and add it to your sheet. The penalty to mental attributes will apply if you are forced into that situation, such as if a fellow runner kidnaps you and locks you in their penthouse in order to try to cure your obvious mental illness. The Hobo With A Shotgun quality actually does not care about your comforts and necessities value, nor any other value of an advanced lifestyle. Incidentally, a Bolt Hole is not intended for long term inhabitation. While the argument could be made that neither is a particularly sturdy cardboard box hidden under a pier, the difference is a little academic - Hobo With A Shotgun does not permit you to stay in a Bolt Hole willingly. It's something about the roofs, man. | Yes |
Skills/Specializations
| Question | Answer | Active Ruling? |
|---|---|---|
| Given the rulings/clarifications about Unarmed specs (allowing nerve strike, shock gloves and knucks). Is Touch a valid Unarmed spec? | Touch is a valid Unarmed skill specialization. | Yes |
Drugs
| Question | Answer | Active Ruling? |
|---|---|---|
| Do initiative dice from drugs (like Kami or Jazz) stack with improved reflexes adept power? | Tentatively, the increased initiative from the Improved Reflexes adept power will not stack with drugs that provide bonus initiative dice. This is subject to change at a later date. | Yes, and is reinforced in later rulings |
Other
| Question | Answer | Active Ruling? |
|---|---|---|
| Fencing Gear pg. 418 Core Is there a standard for the buyer's dice pool? Is this confined to tables and GMs decide on the fly? Something else I'm not thinking of? | When fencing gear, players are encouraged to utilize the rules basing the return on a contact's loyalty. However, if the choose to utilize the method that involves finding a buyer, it must be rolled out, at a table, with a GM. Needless to say, if a GM is found to be playing it fast and loose with this, the Thematics Department will probably be very grumpy with them. | Yes |
| Two rules have been established on the haven, with an unclear interaction: (1) Characters do not have to pay rent out of pocket for their first month, because they are considered to have already paid rent for that month (prepaid) during chargen. (2) For every month that characters pay rent, they receive 5 contact chips to improve the loyalty of their contacts. Do characters gain chips for the first month, in which they paid rent in advance? | Given that people no longer recieve contact chips each month with rent, this question is no longer relevant to the Haven. | Yes |
| How many Rank 1 skills could I realistically handwave after each run? | No. Training times are now eliminated as per Player Rules | |
| How long after getting approved do you start accumulating downtime? | No. Downtime timers have been eliminated, except for in the case of initiation, which counts from the time the previous initiation took place. | |
| Does trust fund cover subscription costs? If I take a platinum skillsoft subscription, which become part of lifestyle cost. Does my trust fund which covers "Medium Lifestyle" which is still is mind, cover the subscription? | Trust Fund covers only the base cost of the lifestyle for your metatype, without any adjustments due to subscriptions or addons. However, these may be added onto the lifestyle "out of pocket", which can include your monthly stipend but is permitted to exceed it. | Yes |