[Hellfire]

Hi chummers,

One question came up when creating a blood elf (Earthdawn) style Surge character on the interpretation of the metagenic negative quality of "Thorns" RC p. 119:

"Thorns make the character mildly more dangerous in un-
armed combat. Add +1 die to the Damage Value of any Unarmed
attack. Unfortunately, the character is in constant discomfort
(+1 to all Physical Tests) which varies from pain when a thorn
emerges through the skin to itchiness when they harden and dry
with time.  The character must have clothing that accommodates
her unusual physique and may require customization of certain
gear (like armor)."

What does in your opinion "+1 to all physical tests" mean?

some possible interpretations:
1. all tests which require some kind of physical action (almost everything), is at a threshold of +1, if it is an opposed test, reduce the number of hits by 1
2. all tests in the PHYSICAL ACTIVE SKILLS (SR4A p. 124) classification are at threshold +1, if it is an opposed test, reduce the number of hits by 1
3. reduce the number of dice (negative dicepool modifier) by 1 when rolling any skill test requiring some kind of physical action (almost everything)
4. reduce the number of dice (negative dicepool modifier) by 1 when rolling any skill test in the PHYSICAL ACTIVE SKILLS classification.
5. counts as a permanent, non-healable box of physical damage, with all appr. consequences

Any input would be welcome.

best regards

[rasmusnicolaj]

Hard one but I personally would go for nr. 4.

Rasmus

[raggedhalo]

Personally, I'd run it RAW as #2 but would generally prefer #4

[JustADude]

Personally, I'd run it RAW as #2 but would generally prefer #4

Technically, despite the logic to the contrary and the fact that it's 100% obviously a typo and should read "-1", the literal phrasing says that their discomfort gives them a +1 dice-pool modifier on their Physical Tests... and yes, they get paid to do it because it's a Negative Quality. I guess being antsy all the time keeps them on their toes and the adrenaline pumping.

That said, I'd have to go with #4 for common sense and the interpretation mentioned above for strict, no-common-sense-allowed RAW.

[Mirikon]

I would go with #4 as well. The KISS principle in action.

[Captain Karzak]

The term "Physical Tests" does appears SR-4a on p. 327.

It explicitly includes things like making attacks, so the term encompasses more than just tests that include Physical skill ranks as a component of the dice pool.

It likely means all tests for actions and activities that are not purely mental. In any case it's not a well-defined term.

I would probably apply the dice pool penalty to any task that could not be accomplished as a mental action (ie using knowledge skills, using computer and hacking skills while in VR, spellcasting).

[All4BigGuns]

Yeah, not really well defined, but I believe similar terminology is used in other systems too.