Starfinder Design Lead
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Obviously I haven't done any actual playtesting of the class yet, so I can't comment on how well it plays. However, I don't need to play the class to comment on the nomenclature.
To me, a "restorative" is something that restores capability, not something that augments it. For example, the spell restoration removes ability damage, ability drain, and fatigue.
A better name would be, for example, "performance enhancer" - which also calls back to steroids and the like which seems appropriate for a biohacker class.
Everything is on the table, including possibly renaming things.
So far all other options for restoratives (and we did try a lot) seemed worse, but we are aware of the issue of inaccurate nomenclature.
What do other people think? Any other suggestions?
I agree "Restorative" is not the most clear name. "Stimulant" was my preferred alternative on reading it.
There are a number of sci fi things that have Stims from stimpacks that heal to combat stims that are buffs/enhancers. I am okay with restorative but I also understand that it seems a bit misleading as in most cases it is enhancing not restoring.
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I agree "Restorative" is not the most clear name. "Stimulant" was my preferred alternative on reading it.While I like "stimulant," it's already used as a specific kind of medicinal in Armory. I don't want to use the same name for two unrelated game elements.
Agree on the stimulant point but as mentioned by kaid above, "stim" has a lot of sci-fi history, would that be acceptable even though its close to "stimulant"?
I agree "Restorative" is not the most clear name. "Stimulant" was my preferred alternative on reading it.While I like "stimulant," it's already used as a specific kind of medicinal in Armory. I don't want to use the same name for two unrelated game elements.
I approve of this strong move away from Pathfinder naming tradition.
PED's? ;)
Or what about performance enhancers?
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Amp , short for Amplifier?
I like Amplifier, actually
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Amp , short for Amplifier?
Too late, spell amps (ampoules) took that over.
Boosters sound nice.
Or go nuts: Buffs.
I like Amplifier as well.
I'll throw Splice into the mix for some genetic sounding terminology.
I think Booster and Buff sounds too much like a mechanic and not something a serious person would call their ability.
Likewise, "uplift" is already a term in the game, but it might also explain why there's all these bears around here now.
How about just "supplement?" Or "biobooster?"
BioBooster is a very accurate descriptive term, but it does feel very generic and bland.
Hmm...
BioAugmentation
BioAugments
Physiology Enhancements
Physiology Amplifiers (PhysAmps)
...
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This discussion has convinced me that restorative is the best option, even if it's not perfect.
I think Booster and Buff sounds too much like a mechanic and not something a serious person would call their ability.
Booster (boost·er): f : a substance or dose used to renew or increase the effect of a drug or immunizing agent. especially : BOOSTER SHOT
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/booster
More or less fits the idea of the restoratives.
But I really don't mind if they stay with the original name, though.
Suggestions:
Invigoratives
Vitalizers
Suppliments
Stimpacks
For the latinaphiles...
Augendae
Vitae
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For what it’s worth, I think booster is probably the best name for this particular mechanic.
Personally, I don't really like the name "injections" for the ability as a whole. I practiced saying, "I loaded by injection weapon with an injection," to my brother a few times and he looked at me like I was speaking gibberish. :)
Currently, the biohacker has this issue where the word "biohacker" doesn't really mean anything. When I first heard of the class, I assumed that it'd be a "I hack the genetic code the way a digital hacker hacks a computer's code", but that's not really what this class is at all. Rather than change the name of the class, I think that the SFDT should change the name of the "injection" class feature to "biohacks", explaining that a biohacker is someone who creates and uses biohacks. From there, I'd use the name booster like others are suggesting, since restorative implies healing, and not all of the fields of study give effects that heal. (And even if they currently did, you wouldn't want to accidentally lock yourself into healing only down the line based on name alone.)
So yeah, biohack class feature that's subdivided into counteragents and boosters, please. :D
Obligatory NANOBOOSTER ADMINISTERED!
Suggestions:
Invigoratives
Vitalizers
Suppliments
StimpacksFor the latinaphiles...
Augendae
Vitae
Ooh. I like Vitalizers.
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Was just coming here to post this exact thing. Restoratives they are not.
My immediate impression was that "Booster" was the correct nomenclature.
Currently, the biohacker has this issue where the word "biohacker" doesn't really mean anything. When I first heard of the class, I assumed that it'd be a "I hack the genetic code the way a digital hacker hacks a computer's code", but that's not really what this class is at all.
Curiously, the word "hack" by itself doesn't show up in the document at all.
Why would it? If you understand the meaning if the word you see that injections are in fact applying on the spot hacks to biological systems.
Why are people upset about restorative but accepting counteragent? There's no agent being countered here.
People are weird?
Why would it? If you understand the meaning if the word you see that injections are in fact applying on the spot hacks to biological systems.
Why are people upset about restorative but accepting counteragent? There's no agent being countered here.
Yeah, I didn't like that, but it wasn't quite as egregious. You could explain it by "countering" an enemy "agent."
Personally I would have called them "Inhibitors."
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Why would it? If you understand the meaning if the word you see that injections are in fact applying on the spot hacks to biological systems.
Why are people upset about restorative but accepting counteragent? There's no agent being countered here.
Probably because the name "restorative" has nothing to do with what the ability actually accomplishes (it provides buffs rather than restoring anything) and the word, while not in common parlance, is used in the RPG community for things like the Restoration spell.
Meanwhile counteragent is not a widely used term and hasn't already been used in RPGs either. It's definitely not the best term, but its not as knee-jerkingly bad as restorative.
I personally would roll with Vitalizer or Booster for positive effects and Debilitator or Antigen (though that's almost entirely on association and word-feel, as it isn't actually correct)
I'm ok with the current nomenclature, but your suggestions also sound good.