I've already briefly discussed the concept of limits in SR5. Here are the formulae:
Mental Limit: (LOG x2 + INT +WIL) / 3
Physical Limit: (STR x2 + BOD + REA) / 3
Social Limit: (CHA x2 + WIL + Essence) /3
Players, compare these to your existing character and feel free to discuss. As a reminder, this determines the maximum number of successes on any roll fitting within this category.
I think that artificial limits like this are kind of bland. It sounds like it further encourages stat stacking (to get higher limits, which you'll want since you already have a large dice pool) in a system that already harshly punishes characters for straying outside their specialty. A limit to build points and availability of tech/magic should be enough to limit the character.
ReplyDeleteI also think that limits might be fun in a system where characters aren't supposed to be like a Shadowrun character, which are basically sort of modern heroic archetypes (even if their actions aren't heroic, the challenges they face tend to be, and they live in a world that runs on Awesomonium.) Being unrestrained in one's bad assery is part of the feel the setting seems to lean towards.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, it keeps Adepts from running unchained. To give you an idea: max out Agility. Then max out the Improved Agility power (or get +AGI cyberware, for your Samurai). And then throw on an Agility Boost spell/ability. Since successes turn to damage, you become a murder machine. Limits effectively kill this very specific and very broken character concept.
ReplyDeleteLimits won't make a huge amount of damage on the low end. They'll primarily matter in contested rolls and limit damage in combat. They also will create new status effects and limitations via damage: if you take damage that's more than your limit, you generally lose a turn -- at least in the playtest I did.