[littlenog]

First off Hello everyone,

I am currently working on a new mage.

I was wondering how does a mage aquire more than one IP.

I looked into mage adpet and that really was not the way I was wanting to go and cyberware(bioware) is expensive so what are my other options?

[FastJack]

Sustained spell: Increased Reflexes (SR4a, p. 208)

[Shinobi Killfist]

A health sustaining focus force2+ to keep that sustained increased reflexes spell going all the time if you want it.  (force 2=1 extra pass, force 3 2 extra passes, force 4+= 3 extra passes assuming you got the hits in the spell casting test)

[Chrona]

Don't forget it's also Boosting your REA to, great spell

[baronspam]

Just about every mage I have every designed or even contemplated designing has had this spell and a focus to maintain the spell without the -2 dice penalty to everything else.  Its as fundamental as a good Stunbolt (which is the other spell that every mage regardless of specialty, focus, or interest should have).

[Tsuzua]

Since mages traditionally have good body and willpower scores, you can use cram, jazz, or kamikaze as backup IP boosters in case of background counts.  The majority of the time however I'll go with force 3 sustaining focus.  +2 Initiative +2 IPs is quite good and doesn't cost too much at start.  Coupled with a nice reaction and/or intuition and you'll have a respectable initiative score.

[littlenog]

Excellent!

I know it was a bit lazy of me to not read though and find the spell myself, but I am new with mages so thought this would be a good place to get some advice.

The team I'm going to join is fairly experienced but without any magical support.

I know the GM said having at the minimum 2 IP was required due to the teams level of expertise.  This spell is really nice I think a rank 4 Focus is worth it.

[baronspam]

Excellent!

I know it was a bit lazy of me to not read though and find the spell myself, but I am new with mages so thought this would be a good place to get some advice.

The team I'm going to join is fairly experienced but without any magical support.

I know the GM said having at the minimum 2 IP was required due to the teams level of expertise.  This spell is really nice I think a rank 4 Focus is worth it.

Is that two extra IP or two total?  Two total or more I think is good advice for anyone, just from a survival point of view, as it lets you get a full defence in an still have a chance to attack/summon.  If its a two additional/three total thats a pretty high power game.

[littlenog]

Yeah karma build for this game is 950 for starting characters its been going on for like 3 years.

[Shinobi Killfist]

Just about every mage I have every designed or even contemplated designing has had this spell and a focus to maintain the spell without the -2 dice penalty to everything else.  Its as fundamental as a good Stunbolt (which is the other spell that every mage regardless of specialty, focus, or interest should have).

Ever since grounding went away in 3e I think having whatever the sustaining focus is called in that edition and a reaction enhancer is a no brainer.  I still build plenty of mages without it but I don;t do everything based on effectiveness.

[farothel]

take a force 3 focus for +2IP, +2 REA (it's the maximum you can sustain with a force 3 focus).  It should be enough and it leaves you with money and karma/BP for other things (foci cost a lot of money).  Not a lot of street sammies or adepts have the full 4 IP as it costs too much for them too.