FAQ: Matrices
From SSDC, Inc.
For matrix controllers, does accumulated power points mean cumulative progression of power for each level?
A: No. The power points listed on the matrix controller level progression chart are the number of power points to add to your total upon attaining that level.
How do you figure power points for multi-class matrix controllers?
A: There is no separation of power points for multi-class matrix controllers. They have one power point total to draw from.
You get the listed power points every time you gain a matrix level, unless they are learning through cross networking.
We’re still confused about power point accumulation, with level advancement.
Would a 4th level energy controller (excluding intelligence bonuses) have:
2 points (1 starting point + 1 point for the next energy bracket)
3 points (1 starting point + 1 point for 1st & 2nd energy bracket)
5 points (1 point for first 3 levels + 2 points for 4th level)
6 points (1 starting pt. + 1 pt. for first 3 lvls + 2 pts. for 4th level)
A: Fourth level energy controller: 1 starting point, 1 point for 2nd level, 1 point for 3rd level, 2 points for 4th level = 5 total points.
If you permanently power port (the matrix) a weapon will the increase power output destroy it eventually?
Or is the energy containment field also power ported to deal with the increased power output?
A: If power port is permanently applied to a weapon, the Energy Controller who originally generated it will die after several shots, ending the matrix.
If the weapon is only fired occasionally so that the MC is only passing out each time its fired, then the weapon will wear itself out.
Note that an MC bold enough to power port a vehicle mounted/HP weapon will run a good chance of death when it is fired; spaceship weapons are too large to be affected by this matrix.
Here are our thoughts on how to get the most out of a power ported energy weapon.
Please see if you find a fault with our logic.
Step 1) Buy Power Output Coil III and Power Dump for your Chatilian.
Step 2) Buy Power Output Coil III and Power Dump your second Chatilian.
Step 3) Have Chatilian #1 switch places with your Mutzachan using trade minds.
This gives the Mutzachan access to Cybernetics he could not normally have.
Step 4) Have Chatilian #2 cast Concentration on the Mutzachan (who is now in Chatilian #1's body)
Step 5) While the Chatilian #2 is casting Concentration, have the Mutzachan (who is now in Chatilian #1's body), cast power port on an energy weapon.
Final Damage potential: Power port X4, Power Dump X4, Output Coil X4, Concentration X3, Power Dump X4, Output Coil 4
Total 4x4x4x3x4x4 = 3072 X weapon damage.
A: Known Problems:
a) The Mutzachan (in Chatilian #1's body) will DIE!!!
b) The weapon will EXPLODE!!!!
c) Does Chatilian #1 want a dead Mutzachan in his/her body?
BUT THE BONUS:Your target will EXPLODE too! If you want to go to these lengths and are willing to accept the risks, then do it
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one of the most elaborate plans I have ever seen for Battlelords.
The name of the Empath power that triples output is Link, not Concentration.
What are the penalties for finding a mentor if your character is using cybernetics?
A: Cybernetics to do what?
Matrix crossover coils are frowned upon, I believe that's in GU1?
A: Be more specific.
NOTE: Energy Control Martix table leaves out 5000 exp. from levels 6-7.
Level 6 should be 15,001-25,000.
Does the Heal spell heal critical hits, and can it be used for resurrection?
A: It will heal crits, but cannot be used for resurrection. Again foreign objects and broken bones must be taken care of by hand.
What are the specs on a matrix port chip?
In the cybertronics you describe the device know as a matrix port in which you can store pre-charged matrixes on chips.
How much do the chips cost? How many matrixes do they hold?
How much power do they hold? Is their a power or level limit? What's the deal?
A: The specs are given in Injection, sorry. I will see about having them posted to the Web site.
During rolling on the Fickle Finger of Fate table (#49), we had a Gen-human receive amazing powers.
Begin the game with 1st level in any on matrix generation ability (Empath, Healer, etc.), regardless of race.
This is matrix manipulation, not just one 1st level power right?
If so, does our Gen-human become a latent extractor or a FULL -BLOWN matrix controller with no latent extraction penalties?
How are starting power points handled?
A: Treat the Gen-Human as being a normal matrix controller.
Do matrixes which have a range of self or touch, have their range increased by use of a cybernetic range coil or amperon?
A: No
Why is it that Mutzachans, unlike other matrix controllers, must pay more to learn a matrix when they are at the top of a given energy bracket than when the are at the bottom of the same bracket?
A: Because the Mutzachan social structure is different, and the Mentors believe that the more skilled you are, the more you should be able to pay for learning.
The Healer matrix “Mend Bones (simple)” requires a generation time of 2 minutes.
Yet the “Mend Bones (compound)” only requires 5 seconds. Is this correct?
A: Mend Bones (simple) should be 2 sec. However it requires 1-4 minutes to set the bone.
Mend Bones (compound) is correct: it requires 2-8 minutes to set the bone.
Note that Mend Bones (skull) has a ‘Duration’ of 5 minutes; this refers to the time it takes to repair the skull, not the duration of the effect.
Is the 5 minute generation time for the 1st-bracket Healer matrix Sterilization correct?
It seems very excessive, especially since the 2nd-bracket matrix “Sterilize Environment” only requires 1 second.
A: 5 seconds.
Many of the Tza matrixes are very amusing, it’s part of what make them my favorite race to play.
Now... are there any standard penalties for firing after having “blown chunks” (from reverse peristalsis) while wearing a closed helmet?
A: Nope, these penalties are not standard. Depends on how much you ate I guess. BM’s discretion.
Are there any standard penalties from the, uh, pass wind matrix, during and after?
Should Ram Pythons be forced to roll on the, uh, appropriate chart?
A: No penalties; chart rolling is optional.
In the main book under matrices it says that it is Galactic Law for MCs to wear the color symbol of their energy bracket, if they don’t they are subject to “strict punishment”.
Under the character description for the Tza Zen Rigeln it says that they “don’t normally wear their power colors, opting instead to remain anonymous”.
How do they get away with it? Are not all Zen Rigeln MCs?
A: For one thing, many wear the lowest color which is illegal, but that makes you pretty anonymous.
As far as whether all are MCs I don't think so, but that is not an ‘official’ answer.
For matrix controllers, does accumulated power points mean cumulative progression of power for each level?
A: No. The power points listed on the matrix controller level progression chart are the number of power points to add to your total upon attaining that level.
Do matrix controllers gain PPs every time they gain a level?
Ex: a 5th level energy controller started out with 4 PPs. He now has 10.
A: If he started with 4 at bracket 1 (1 + 3 for IQ) then he should get 1 point at level 2, 1 at level 3, and 2 at levels 4 and 5; so he should have 10.
Do matrix controllers keep a Mentor as long as they remain on a planet?
A: Usually yes.
Can Jezzadeic Priests cross-network and use other matrixes normally (not permanently extend power points)?
A: No. Jezzedaic Priests may not cross-network. They also cannot use any matrix type equally well.
The questioner is asking if they can have powers as standard usage and the answer should be No.
At high level can a Jezzadeic Priest use Matrix Manipulation to enchant without permanent power point loss?
If so at about what level (what difficulty for Manipulation)?
A: Priests may do this on a temporary basis with a proper matrix manipulation roll.
The enchantment will have only 10% of its normal duration or 1 day if normally permanent.
It is the permanent expenditure of power points which invests real power into matrices.
I suggest the martix manipulation roll be 3*the level of matrix the priest is trying to use.
With cross-networking, can a Jezzadeic Priest expand the number of different powers they may enchant into an item?
If not, may it be done with Matrix Manipulation, does it require both?
A: No. It is just not feasible to enchant other matrices at this time.
Assuming that above is possible - How much would it cost per point, to purchase/commission an enchanted item.
Assuming that it is not possible - How much per point of enchant on average would it cost?
A: I estimate that it would cost 100,000cr per power point expended, due to the Jezzadei’s religious belief in the value of the object. And that's if you can convince him/her first!
Can other races learn Jezzadeic Priest powers through Latent Extraction?
Can other races learn Jezzadeic Priest powers through cross-networking?
Can other races learn Jezzadeic Priest powers through “Freakish Powers” on the fickle finger of fate table?
Is there any known way to learn their friggin' powers!!?
A: No, No, Yes, and No.
Can any of the Jezzadeic Priest powers be used/cast upon energy projectile weapons, and still apply their bonuses, etc.?
A: Yes, with matrix manipulation roll equal to 3*the tech level of item. This does not apply to vehicle weapons.
Also, there is no need for matrix manipulation rolls to apply the matrixes that strengthen objects.
How many times would a Matrix wielder need to matrix manipulate a matrix power in a specific manner for that particular variation to become considered a “learned” power in its own right?
Would there be any other requirements?
A: This is up to the BM, but in the past we have used five successes as a guide.
Remember that in order to make a more powerful effect you must have more power points applied.
Will there ever be rules covering Matrix design, and if not could you please give some general guidelines?
A: Not for quite a while. We have no set guidelines other than level nine may have planet-wide effects, and really nasty powers start at four and five.
When using Matrix Manipulation, how does it affect generation time of the matrix itself?
Does the character follow the “Five Minute Rule” for skill use altered by difficulty level plus normal generation time, or does it simply take the normal generating time?
A: BM’s discretion, based on the difficulty of the matrix. It is usually helpful to tell the BM in advance that you are thinking about a certain manipulation.
However, it is possible to make minor manipulations in combat so I wouldn’t apply the 5-min rule in that case.
Our groups’ healer, feels that it would be much more efficient to use the Calcify matrix in reverse, so that his patients won’t keep trying to back up and join the fight soon.
The question is: What would be required to make the Calcify matrix the De-calcify matrix (both on a one-time or a permanent basis)?
A: See the above question concerning making a matrix manipulated into a “learned” matrix.
If Telepathy is used on an I-Bot, I assume that the reader would get nothing from the scan.
This would be a fairly easy way to detect them. What about a white noise generator against Empathic Matrix Users?
It would cost about 25,000 credits, have an ENC. of 3 and have a battery life of two hours of constant use.
Any time a Empathy Matrix is used against the person, the Matrix user would have to make an MSR roll to get through the noise at -40.
A: It is reasonable to assume that such devices exist. Of course a mind shielding device that provides a + to your SMR blocks such readings, but these are generally more expensive.
I don’t understand starting matrix points.
A: A matrix controller starts with one point, modified for high intelligence.
Can someone become a latent matrix controller after initial creation if they save up enough points?
If so, do they start splitting their xp at that time? Would any mentor teach such a person, and if so would the cost be greater?
A: The process for such a technique is secret but it is possible only if the BM allows it...
and it would cost double the skill points and require 2-5 yrs of meditation training and drug therapy.
After this they would be treated exactly as other latent MCs. Note that this is not an ‘official’ rule. Use at your discretion.
How do you allocate damage from a Fire Blast matrix to armor?
A: It is divided equally among the sections and does double damage directly to absorption. Any remainders from the division hit the chest.
How fast can a Mutzachan fly with the Fly matrix?
A: 50kph
Can matrix manipulation skill be used to create new powers? If so, what would the appropriate skill check be?
A: Yes, the skill check is generally very high, but also depends upon the complexity of the matrix you are creating.
As a guideline a level one matrix creation roll would be level ten.
Can you use the use the cross-networking skill to learn matrices from the new races(Ikrini, Gemini, Priest)?
A: You can learn Gemini powers. Ikrini are new and the skill has not been developed. No one understands the Priest powers yet and you cannot get them except by ‘freakish powers’.
