Re: [HoE] A Complete Review Of HoE

[Darrin Bright <darrin@neobright.net>]

Steve Crow wrote:
> 
> >>Overall thoughts: Good, definitely required for Sykers.
> >I liked it, tho I thought it was a teensy bit powerful with a few of the
> >powers.  but thats a personal thing, not a real criticism.
> >depending how your player rolls, it may be awhile before you get to enjoy a
> >Backlash.  I have yet to see a Syker in one of my games do so. (ed note:
> >yes, I know you spent chips not to, Mr. L.. ;-))  IOW, I agree.

> Just as a question, how often does that happen (since the reference is to
> "chips")?
> 
> We were under the impression once you Botched, you can't spend chips.

You can't spend chips on a botched roll (although I think there's an
exception for Legend chips).

One of my problems with Brainburners is backlash got really, really
nasty. It's what, 4d10? That's about like getting hit with a .50 caliber
rifle/MG round, enough to average 4 wound levels to the head, which I
sort of read as "Brainburn = Dead Syker, new character please..." I
guess you can still spend chips to cancel the wounds, but that still
seems a little strong to me.

I haven't actually played much HOE, though. Those of you that are
playing HOE regularly with Sykers, have you noticed Brainburn as being
unnecessarily harsh, or is it a nice change from the older
slap-on-the-hand backlash rules?