In many campaigns, Astral Projection is overlooked, or it is only used as scouting tool. We all know it. Magician will use astral projection to get close to the target, and scout area and then it will give information to the team.
But, when you think about it, isn’t it too narrow minded, or too little? This power is unlocked only to full mages, and there should be some more utility to it, right?
Through years of playing magician in Shadowrun, I encountered several situations, where astral projection was more just scouting tool, and in some cases completely turned tide of battle. Let’s look into those!
Breaking stalemate aka Astral “Boo!”
I rank this one up, because it was most funny one. Our group was pinned down by very competent killer, and they couldn’t move. Trying to advance would mean serious injuries as killer was holding the stairs. Situation was dire and grim, as fast response team was on the way, and something had to be done.
Magician of the group got an idea, they ran into toilet on bottom floor, locked themself in it and declared astral projection. As shoot out continued, the mage manifested behind the killer and did “Boo!”.
How would professional killer react in such manner, they know there shouldn’t be anyone behind them. They looked over over startled and saw astral manifestation of the mage. This little opening gave rest of the party enough time, to make breakthrough and take the killer out.
Simple, effective, no rolls, just RP. It can be done in many more situations. Especially if astral form of mage is well described to GM. You see, NPCs are not masters of magic most of the time, so they might confuse mage form for a spirit and focus fire on the form, instead of party. Until, they realize that it does nothing. But, even one round can give enough opening to change course of battle.
Also this is perfect opportunity to use Intimidate skill, as target can hear you and see you.
Meeting contacts while projecting
This one is more straightforward. Is meeting contact too dangerous? Is it too far? This is good use of astral projection. Meet the contact while manifesting.
There is a catch though. You can’t write down anything, you can’t see screens and what is written on the papers, so every information has to be said verbally to you. Why this matters?
Because as player you can write it down, but your character can’t. In this type of encounters excel Hermetic Mages over Shamans, as their Logic gives them higher chances on Memory tests.
Yes, GMs! If your mage player wants to do legwork through astral perception, make them do memory tests on every piece of information. This punishes dump stats, and makes game more believable.
When someone describes you whole floor plan by words, if you are not genius with trained memory, you will bring back only fragments of it.
Paracritter hunting
This is where you use your Parazoologist contacts, and your Parazoology Knowledge Skill. It can be good easy game session to make money.
Find paracritter, which is dual-natured and has no means to defend itself in ranged combat. Use your spirits to find such critter and tell your team.
You do not have to leave your bedroom, just rest on your bed and go hunting with your friends. While your street sam, rigger friends chase down creature, give it some good bully.
Float above, cast mana barriers, manabolts and other mana spells to slow down and hunt down creature. It will be much easier for your friends to deal with it, when you manage to corner it in mana barrier, or you bring down it’s dices by constant stun damage.
This approach needs bit investment in drain management, but, it’s worth considering. You do not have to be everywhere physically.
Hanging around
Astral space is interesting place. Dangerous, but interesting. In many cases, much more interesting then bubble gum stuck to your ceiling, above your bed, which you observe every night.
Why not utilize it? If you have Knowledge skill: Awakened Hangout, you can actually go out, without leaving your home. You can flow through mysterious astral plane and appear on places where magicians, awakened creatures appear.
You may indulge in astral sex (yes it is possible, and very very intense), you may meet new contacts, magical groups. Heck you may even meet vampires, or other infected! If that is your alluring path of progression, you may even convince them to change you (For service or cash), into infected. Immortality and mages go well together.
NOTE: Be mindful of other players, GM and also meta. Do not spend several hours of game time, just goofing around astral plane, while rest of group is bored. Consult this with your GM. Let them be prepared for this downtime activity. Especially being turned into infected. This shouldn’t be quickie to bypass karma cost in character creation.
GMs: Make astral space dangerous. If someone is hanging around it too much, they should meet encounters. But, fast. Or rest of table will fall asleep.
Actual exploration
This one is more session building. You can help your GM. Sometimes coming up with idea what to do next, can be rather daunting. Search magazines about cryptids, conspiracies, mythical places, interesting historical places.
Aside of your shadowrunning friends, you are the one, which can explore them within a moment and with no cost. Tell your GM about your idea visiting picked place and send them materials. I’m sure they will be happy, that they will get some interesting idea to work with.
When you start the game, go into astral exploration mode and check that place out. Maybe there grow interesting expensive awakened herbs, awakened critters, mysterious glowing runes or unknown mana barrier? Maybe in those ancient Celtic ruins sits some spirit, which notices you and asks you to come to him!
In any way, after scouting convince your team, that some holiday and change of Seattle air, would benefit them. And then, of you go on interesting adventure, where you can change and experiment with different styles of game!
Conclusion
And there you have it! Quick article. I hope it will give you some ideas for usage of Astral Perception in Shadowrun 5, and how to utilize it aside from simple scouting.
If you made this far, I love you and thank you for reading!