Giant2005 wrote:My only issue with the article is it makes Biotics pretty pointless.
A Metamorph with only two forms (his human form and whatever combat form he wishes) is just a Biotic with more Bio-E and the ability to turn human to prevent living life as a Monster. The Biotic process should be shelved with the Metamorph process being available.
I think the option of spending double Bio-E to have a modification effect all of their forms should be mandatory. That way a single form Metamorph wouldn't step all over Biotic toes, due to having less relative Bio-E (He may have more but having to spend twice as much makes every point only half as useful).
I understand this concern.
However, I also think that the core Biotic O.C.C. itself is where things really need to be honed & emphasized more. I think Metamorphs are cool for what they are, but they also have their limits. Metamorphs are a story plot O.C.C. and have significant factors that might affect them during gameplay:
1. They have to cocoon up to transform into larger or deadlier forms, this is why the balance of cocoon downtime to undergo restructuring of the desired mass is essential to preserve the game balance. By not having this limitation then it does unstable the balance and make the core Biotic seem outdated. This down time requires a player to be a strategic planner with mature foresight as they know that they will have to endure these downtimes (undesirable vulnerabilities and lapse of time) "if" they need to upsize. This down time is not only time that must transpire, but also warrants the player to either secure trust within its team/platoon to protect the cocoon or a good place to hide until the metamorphosis is complete. The core Biotic is always a mega damage walking weapon with instant deadliness. There is no downtime or vulnerability.
2. Biotics are normal subjects in a possibly desensitized society of havens, seedlings, etc., rather its a caste system, segregated or full integration. Metamorphs on the other hand are prototypes and as a Splice Master or GM, I would treat them with some NPCs'/people being skeptical, hesitant, unsure, curious and intrigued (possibly over curious) and or radically scrutinizing them. At least you now what a Biotic is and can recognize em easy enough. On the other hand, could some radical religious faction(s) believe that the Metamorphs are part of a deep conspiracy that the beings/founders/some Librarians behind Biotechnology have a deeper agenda of altering humanity and humankind? Could this public fusion be a bold step towards their true agenda? Sure why not, and guess who is going o get the brunt of that disdain and radical rage and insecurity. IS it right, no... is i fair.. no.. is it realistic heck yeah.
3. The food consumption factor is a major distinction, because the big heavy guns, abilities and forms require mass. If there is no food around then it must be found, successfully hunted or otherwise (brought along & preserved on a comrade's War Mount, etc.). This can lead to Metamorphs having to go on side line hunts with a wing man numerous times to get the desired results for the campaign or the Metamorph has to learn to do without until he can get the nutrition. This can be a possible burden and distraction to a platoon, depending on the team. Again with core Biotics you don't have this nutrition requirement.
BTW, just because a team finds a Preserve or is near one, doesn't equate to the team always securing a hunt. Alien predators pose a significant threat and making a kill, defending it from other rival predators, adversaries and scavengers while you and your team feed, is a whole different ball game. Then you add to that the downtime of concooning safely in a Preserve, and once again, you begin to wonder how to pull this off and where to do it at. Obviously bringing the kill or carcass to the sight where the Metamorph is going to cocoon is best , but may not always be the most strategic. Blood trails can lead rival houses, alien predators or scavengers to your location. IF outside of a preserve then you have the issue of Rival house platoons, necroborgs, alien predators and scavengers that can possibly detect the blood scent/trails.
Its hard out here for a Metamorph.
So yes, the metamorph is a new spin on the Biotic concept, but it also has been carefully balanced & laced with its cons that help preserve gameplay. Removing these factors really can offset the balance as well as make the core Biotic lean towards being obsolete. That is not what we wanted to do by far. This is why We stress the issue of the cocoon down time and food requirements as they are essentials for balance. I have also decided to make a few Biotic templates that I would like to get back on, to ensure that this doesn't happen. I am confident that a few of these templates will help secure Biotics as a character option for along... time to come.
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