[HOE] Strain not straining?

[Theo McGuckin <tsm@jlab.org>]

One thing that I don't like about the strain system is that it doesn't
seem to really represent what it is supposed to. 
Pg. 119: "Channeling supernatural enegy through one's body is stressful."
Pg. 29: Strain: "This is powerful stuff, and it burns going down."
etc.

But there really isn't any drawback to losing strain, so in the end it is
just a number to keep doomies and sykers in check rather than a
representation of how taxing using these powers are.

So I was thinking for campaigns where arcanes are too common or hogging
the lime-light it might be interesting to add some drawbacks to burning
strain besides having to jot down a number.

Something like taking an amount of wind equal to the strain lost (this
would effect the Child of the Atom edge/hinderance or whatever it's
called, naturally) or having to make a foolproof stun check with a penalty
equal to the strain cost (after the power goes off).

Thoughts?

Theo McGuckin - SysAdmin, JLab


"Are we going to push it to the edge of the envelope, and beyond Brain?"
"No Pinky, we may however reach the sticky part."