Re: [HOE] Seize the Pearl of Death & Skirmish Armor [Hopler]

[Darrin Bright <darrin@neobright.net>]

Theo McGuckin wrote:

> Huh? What this strain you speak of kemosabe? I thought it was chi
> (semantics?) and it was something like 4 per bullet. Or did the rules get
> really re-vamped in hexarcana?

The Martial Arts rules did indeed get revamped in Hexarcana. Martial
Artists now use Strain to use their Chi powers.

Actually, I'm rather annoyed with the rules changes. For one thing, it
now costs even MORE points to become a martial artist. You have to buy
the Martial Arts Training for 3 pts AND the Enlightened edge has to be
purchased for Chi powers, it's now 3 pts and an Arcane Background. Chi
powers are cheaper, you buy a Chi aptitude and get 1 power for each
level of that aptitude. But let's say you want a Chi of 5, that's 11
points down the tube so far, AND you have to buy Fightin'. You still
need an ungodly draw to make a decent MA... you need a high Nimbleness
(for Fightin') AND a high Spirit (for Chi) AND a high Vigor (for
Strain). Oh, and you need Meditation, too.

I'm not sure I like using strain, either. As-written the average martial
artist will be out of strain after 2, maybe 3 attacks... maybe you could
stretch it to a couple of rounds, but two rounds of whoop-ass followed
by a long period of nothing doesn't strike me as particularly fun to
play. I do realize it's a good idea to bring these powers in-line with
the other Arcane Backgrounds, but I got the feeling the MAs got a little
screwed in the process. I guess I'm used to Feng Shui, where you get a
set amount of Fu to dish out every sequence.