[Xenon]

...just to see if someone could by 5-6 Levels & risk 5-6 drain every time they triggered it.  I'd still see that as balanced.

You also need a Magic Rating of 5 (or 6) if you want 5 (or 6) levels of an Adept Power.

SR5 p. 308 Adepts
The maximum number of levels you can have of any one power is equal to your Magic Rating, or up to a limit listed by the power, whichever is less.

[Zar]

I would personally say yes to both - it'll increase your damage and your capacity to adjust for recoil.  I'm perfectly on board with it not changing your Limits, Initiative, damage track, etc. - but I tend to be 'Liberal Bastard' when it comes to GMing that sort of thing.

I agree. I do not think it was intended for Boost Strength to do almost nothing.

[Xenon]

I do not think it was intended for Boost Strength to do almost nothing.

A bonus to Strength based dice pools include how fast you can climb, odds that you don't fall while climbing,  how fast you can sprint, how fast you can swim, how long you can tread water, how well you defend against subduing, resist physical manipulation spells, lifting, carry or break open stuff. For some characters it might be worth it, for others it will not.

[Michael Chandra]

I'd like to promote the topic(s) in my signature again. ^_^ It has arguments for what could be a fair houserule, which GMs can consider exactly because the RAW here seems a bit too restrained and RAI is not really obvious.

[Zar]

I do not think it was intended for Boost Strength to do almost nothing.

A bonus to Strength based dice pools include how fast you can climb, odds that you don't fall while climbing,  how fast you can sprint, how fast you can swim, how long you can tread water, how well you defend against subduing, resist physical manipulation spells, lifting, carry or break open stuff. For some characters it might be worth it, for others it will not.

And there is no reason why it shouldn't also affect your physical damage with fists or weapons, or help with securing your weapon from it's recoil.  Boost your strength should be just like more permanent forms of augmentation.  Just because it's printed in the rules doesn't mean it makes sense or even was intended.

[Namikaze]

I do not think it was intended for Boost Strength to do almost nothing.

A bonus to Strength based dice pools include how fast you can climb, odds that you don't fall while climbing,  how fast you can sprint, how fast you can swim, how long you can tread water, how well you defend against subduing, resist physical manipulation spells, lifting, carry or break open stuff. For some characters it might be worth it, for others it will not.

And there is no reason why it shouldn't also affect your physical damage with fists or weapons, or help with securing your weapon from it's recoil.  Boost your strength should be just like more permanent forms of augmentation.  Just because it's printed in the rules doesn't mean it makes sense or even was intended.

Just a note here Zar - Xenon has a funny way with words.  It sounds like he might be disagreeing with you, because there is that certain matter-of-fact aloof tone to the post.  But he's actually supporting the idea that Boost Strength should be used for more than just those few tests.  I think he was just trying to point out that there are tests that aren't damage-related that Boost Strength would benefit.

[Xenon]

Boost your strength should be just like more permanent forms of augmentation. 

I was just [trying] to point out what Boost Strength currently does according to RAW.
(without trying to agree or disagree with you or emphasize if I personally think it is good or bad).


Personally I still think this is a great house rule:

My house rule is to have it count as an actual increase to the attribute, but limit the maximum boost to the Rating of the power. So if you take it at 1, the most you can boost it is by 1. That gives meaning to purchase the power at higher ranks.