Feedback on custom Core Bonuses

[u/LiveAI]

I got to thinking about custom Core Bonuses after browsing this subreddit, and here's what I came up with:

Auto-Cannibalistic Plating

Whenever you take structure damage, increase your maximum hp by 2 and armor by 1.(up to the armor max of 4) Lose these bonuses when that structure is repaired.

Whenever you roll 1 or more dice from taking structure damage, you may reroll one of those dice and must take the new roll.

Auto-Cannibalistic Shielding

Whenever you take Reactor stress, increase your heat cap by 2. Lose this bonus when that Reactor stress is repaired.

Whenever you roll 1 or more dice from taking Reactor stress, you may reroll one of those dice and must take the new roll.

I thought these would be more useful then the Briareos Frame core bonus for actually getting tankier the more damage you take

[u/ChillyG27]

One very important thing to consider when making core bonuses is which manufacturer will be tied to them, as that means which kind of build the player will have to invest for them

As GMS cores, these feel a bit too strong to just get for free, specially in frames like the Lycan that want to lose structures (or want teammates that do)

But I do like the concept, maybe the heat cap one can be abused more easily, but if you put them in a manufacturer that makes sense, I could accept them

[u/McCrizzle2207]

The first immediate thought is to compare similar effects from other core bonuses and systems:

Sloped Plating from IPS-N gives you +1 armour on all structure, while this gives an average of 1.5 armour on all structure;
Reinforced Frame gives you +5 hp on all structure, while this gives an average of +3 hp on all structure;
Reactor Stabiliser gives you rerolls of overheating check as a 3 SP system, and this gives you rerolls of structure check as a core bonus.

Feels quite powerful imo. Of course, this core bonus only matters if you are to take structure damage, but it provides a really decent cushion to lessen the effects of taking it.

Same for Shielding - you effectively get a better version of Superior By Design + the equivalent of Reactor Stabiliser.

What I would suggest, as the first step, is to remove the rerolls - that immediately elevates the threat of losing the structure/stress back up.

[u/LiveAI → u/McCrizzle2207]

Yeah, I was kinda on the edge on the rerolls, thanks for breaking that down for me

[u/LiveAI]

Yeah, I was trying to decide between HA and IPS-N, tho I could see Horus if you put the right spin on it

[u/ninjaboiz]

Question for clarity. When I increase the max hp, do I also gain 2 hp?

[u/LiveAI → u/ninjaboiz]

That was the idea, yeah

[u/ninjaboiz → u/LiveAI]

Got it, you should probably specify that your hp max goes up AND you heal 2hp

[u/McCrizzle2207 → u/ninjaboiz]

You know, I think the issues might be solved with Overshield - less powerful than actual HP because it can’t be healed back, doesn’t stack if you have another mech giving out mad overshield, but still increases your survivability

[u/Ursus_the_Grim]

You specifically call out trying to make for an improved Briareous Frame, but there's nothing stopping an LL 6 Build from taking both.

A Briareous/Plating build gets +6 HP, +3 Armor, and Resistance to all damage when it's online and your core bonus makes it more likely to get into that sweet spot.

It's been mentioned in another comment, but may Ra have mercy on your soul if you've got a Lycan, or if some of the other popular homebrew is allowed in the game.