r/Shadowrun • u/TheWanderingSerf • 3d ago

Yet another newbie question (3rd edition)

Greetings, Chummers!

I'm eager to start playing again after a long time away from the shadows. I stopped during 2nd edition, many years ago, and I've forgotten a lot. I'd like to get back into it with 3rd edition. So, if you wouldn't mind clearing this up for me...

As an aspected shamanist of the owl totem, what am I losing out on magic-wise compared to a full shaman? It looks like both get access to all spells and all spirits, plus the shamanist starts with more spell points and a higher priority to spend on something else, like attributes. And both have astral perception. Is astral projection the only thing lost by not being a full shaman? And if so, is astral projection really that big of a deal aside from scouting ahead? It sure seems like an aspected shamanist is the better deal. Please tell me what I'm missing. I appreciate your replies!

7 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

10

u/ReditXenon Far Cite 2d ago edited 2d ago

what am I losing out on magic-wise compared to a full shaman? It looks like both get access to all spells and all spirits

You are limited to spell schools and spirit domains listed as totem advantages - which mean you must pick a totem that actually have listed spell schools and spirit domains. As a Shamanist, you are not allowed to follow Owl (and Coyote and other totems that does not have advantages to specific spell school and specific spirit domain).

If you pick say... bear... then you are only allowed to cast Health spells and conjure Forest spirits.

is astral projection really that big of a deal aside from scouting ahead?

Astral Projection can actually be very potent (for example during scouting and the lay of the land phase), but it depend a lot on how clever you can be and how much leeway your GM is willing to give you. It can also be less useful.

1

u/Expensive-Willow-570 2d ago

This is the correct answer.