[Rift_0f_Bladz]

So to reiterate, astral combat generally sucks outside of niche situations. Yup, that is what I got out of this.

[falar]

So to reiterate, astral combat generally sucks outside of niche situations. Yup, that is what I got out of this.

Yes. You are correct. It's one of those trap skills. It looks like you need it (but you actually don't). And you definitely don't as a MysAd, AspMag or Adept.

[Rift_0f_Bladz]

Yup, to the point I am not ever going to get astral perception on almost any adept/MsAd.

[ZeldaBravo]

Astral perception is fine if your group lacks a proper magician.

[falar]

Astral Perception is practically necessary if someone else in your group doesn't have it. Or ... uh ... you'll get sent on runs that don't need it if your GM is good?

[Jack_Spade]

Astral Perception + IR Smoke grenades + Ultrasound Jammer = Adept invisibility

[Rift_0f_Bladz]

Have a shaman and a hermetic mage in my group besides my melee adept. So, no I don't need astral perception.

[Reaver]

With enough skill in assessing, astral perception makes a great "lie-detector".... useful for questioning mooks, or johnsons.....

[Rift_0f_Bladz]

But, I also don't play in mission style games, so my groups are better at filling out rolls (if the group/players want too). So having astral perception is not as valuable as much. I know the uses of it, just have other things I would rather get/upgrade first.

[Whiskeyjack]

I'm huge fan of projection, I prefer it over MysAds every-time.

Why exactly?

I see it as a useful scouting tool at best, and something that can be replicated by driving near the area and using Perception.

[Rift_0f_Bladz]

Even with the ability to move through walls, you can still be jumped by bad spirits, fried by wards, eaten by some astral baddy, blasted by a dual natured critter or astral perceiving mage. I will stick to meat space for all but true mages, thanks.

[Reaver]

I'm huge fan of projection, I prefer it over MysAds every-time.

Why exactly?

I see it as a useful scouting tool at best, and something that can be replicated by driving near the area and using Perception.

Need to find someone and you have a material link? Ritual casting with a projecting mage can speed up the location time.

Need to tail a paranoid target? Astral projection.

Need to talk to someone half the world away and don't want to leave a datatrail? Astral projection.

Need that obscure piece of occult info that only spirits know? Astral projection.

Need to know exactly where wards are so your christmas tree mystic adept or physical adept or dual natured partner doesn't debuff/KO/disrupt/alert? Astral projection.

Good old fashioned over watch?


Lots of uses for projection that perception just can't do, or is second fiddle to....

[Marcus]

I'm huge fan of projection, I prefer it over MysAds every-time.

Why exactly?

I see it as a useful scouting tool at best, and something that can be replicated by driving near the area and using Perception.

Reaver's reasons are generally solid, but for me the answer is astral questing. With meta access it does a lot. Most importantly if your gonna keep the really evil spirits down ya gotta be able to finish'em. I also love the Aetherology book, I love it a LOT. Sadly i have yet to  find a game that wanted to use it. But I am ever hopeful.

[Rift_0f_Bladz]

I know of one in Fayetteville Ar, lol. Near the home of soon to be IRL first AAA corp.

[halflingmage]

I'm huge fan of projection, I prefer it over MysAds every-time.

Why exactly?

I see it as a useful scouting tool at best, and something that can be replicated by driving near the area and using Perception.

Need to find someone and you have a material link? Ritual casting with a projecting mage can speed up the location time.

Need to tail a paranoid target? Astral projection.

Need to talk to someone half the world away and don't want to leave a datatrail? Astral projection.

Need that obscure piece of occult info that only spirits know? Astral projection.

Need to know exactly where wards are so your christmas tree mystic adept or physical adept or dual natured partner doesn't debuff/KO/disrupt/alert? Astral projection.

Good old fashioned over watch?


Lots of uses for projection that perception just can't do, or is second fiddle to....

I will add a few more-

Need to check the perimeter? be it offensively or defensibly, an astral mage can cover the ground faster than anyone in meat space.

Its a great way to check for ambushes and setups.  A quick look about astrally can help find those vat grown ninjas in the basement way before the street sami steps on the land mines they laid.

Against opposition without magical support its an incredibly useful way to follow someone.

Giving up astral projection is a significant thing.  MysAds have their place, its probably the easiest way to build a "gun mage", but its far from inconsequential to give up astral projection.