I think it's pertinent, Chaemera. While a Weightlifting skill probably isn't strictly necessary for Shadowrunners (and thus, not included in the ruleset), it could be inserted and used as a substitute for the STR attribute in the die roll or the base weight calculation. Thus, Kot's example would work if using this extra, houseruled skill.
Given that it's a houserule, then individual GM's would have to OK it. It isn't overpowered or inappropriate, however, so I imagine that few would say "no dice."
I can see the skill being included in an anthroform's program, allowing it greater weight capacity. I don't see it allowing the anthroform to manage recoil better, just allow it to better manage carrying equipment and the weapon systems.
Oh, I agree that a weightlifting-type skill, used in the manner you're talking about would be a wonderful way to adress the issue. I only say it's not pertinent because I was speaking to what I saw as the flawed logic of such a small linear scale of ability. There's a reason IQ tests range from 0 - 200+, and it's not to make the smart people feel cool for having such big numbers. I don't expect a game to get to that level of detail, which is why I assumed, based on the fluff about 1 = wimpy, 6 = olympian, that the game used logarithmic scales. And I still think it would have made more sense.
But, the game works as-is, and other than, perhaps, incorporating a weightlifting skill as a house-rule for someone who wants to play "badass strongman", I see no reason on my part to further harass a rules system that seems to get too much harassment already.
I think somewhere its mentioned that the baseline general rule is body X 2 for Recoil .... I dont recall where that is .... but I just seem to recall that #
That tickles my memory, too. Odd thing is, it sounds almost like a nWOD rule... I know they're pretty clear in
Arsenal that the effective limit is "infinity, or whatever the GM says" on page 105. Maybe this is something they inserted into
War!?