Math is not at issue. Balance is at issue.
Well, not to put too fine a point on it, but both are issues that the game designer needs to address.
I believe I'd said this before, but for anyone who missed it, here's the dilly-o. When
Runner's Companion was written it did not receive all of the developer attention and playtesting it needed (this was before Jason was line developer, for anyone keeping count), and it was also in development (like the
original PACKS) in the period when SR4A was in-the-works but not-out-yet. So many of the rules - and I take a large share of the blame - are not as polished as they should be, some are fundamentally flawed (*cough* Infected) and others have significant errors, both mathematical and balance-wise.
KarmaGen is okay, but the original point totals were intended for Attributes x 5, but the change in attribute cost got lost in the muddle. There were some deliberate design limitations in the initial draft which were nice in my head but didn't work out balance-wise on the table (like no metatype cost) or proved very unpopular (lumping Magic in with the other attributes, eliminating free skill points). These design limitations were made to inspire the creation of more detailed characters; the extra level of point-allocation was to make up for any loss of raw power (mainly from higher attributes), and partially offset by a much larger number of low-level skills available. But, I fucked up the attribute point cost, and the lack of metatype cost was a mechanical error on my part that disadvantaged human characters. Some time before I parted ways with Shadowrun I sent the German crew my errata for RC, which they incorporated into their book. That errata was never incorporated into the English edition while I was with SR, but for comparison, here it is minus the chargen example:
p.41 Karma Character Generation Table
The Karma Cost for Metatype (shapeshifter type, etc.) should be “As BP*.”
The Karma Cost for improving an attribute by 1 should be “New rating x 5.”
p.42 Step 1: Choose Your Metatype or Other Character Race Option
The first paragraph should read:
“First you must choose metatype or other alternative character concept (i.e. shapeshifter, AI, sasquatch, etc.); there Karma cost for metatype or race is equal to the BP cost for that metatype or option (i.e. if a race costs 10 BP, in Karmagen it costs 10 Karma); the BP cost should be noted as it is important for Step 3. The Metatype Attribute Table (see p. 70 and p.73, SR4) or the relevant table in the section describing the new character races in this book provide your character’s starting and maximum attribute ratings.”
p.42 Step 5: Convert Your Karma to Nuyen
The second line should read:
“A maximum of 100 Karma may be converted to nuyen in this fashion, or 120 if the character has the Born Rich quality (p.96).”
p.43 Focus Bonding Table
The Karma Cost for weapon foci should be “3 x Force.”
So as far as that goes, mea culpa. Lesson learned about the need for playtesting, listening to other people, and checking your math. Sorry for any problems.
Past that, I have no idea what has been done with KarmaGen or why.
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