Foci

Mage (MtA Revised pages 202-204) Foci are often objects, but can also be actions (e.g. meditation). Multi-sphere effects require using a focus for each sphere. If multiple spheres share a focus, then using that focus satisfies this requirement for all spheres that share it. Standard foci: For each sphere, you can have one or more of these. Specialty (personal) foci: (Note: Staff prefers the word Specialty to Personal. Please use only Specialty in +requests and +notes to avoid confusion) For each sphere, you can have up to one of these. Using a specialty focus = -1 difficulty. You need multiple foci for the sphere, one of which is declared as specialty. "I have one focus and it's my specialty" is insufficient. (Exception: unique foci, see below.) For multi-sphere effects, you only get the specialty bonus if you use a specialty focus for each sphere, and you only get it once (not once per sphere). Unique foci: For each sphere, you can have up to one of these. A unique focus must be one specific instance of an item (e.g. "my father's gold watch", but not just "watches"). Having this item lost/stolen/destroyed is a Bad Thing. If you have a unique focus for a sphere, then you cannot have any other foci for that sphere. A unique focus also counts as a specialty focus. Using a unique focus = -2 difficulty (-1 for specialty, -1 for unique). For multi-sphere effects, you only get the unique bonus if you use a unique focus for each sphere, and you only get it once (not once per sphere). Magick without foci: Surpassing foci = +3 difficulty and requires spending a Willpower (just to try, not for an automatic success). Technocrats and technomancers (Sons of Ether, Virtual Adepts) cannot surpass foci. PCs cannot abandon foci (would require Arete 6+; this is changed from 2nd edition). Sample foci: MtA Revised pages 204-207 MtA Chapter 2, find your Tradition's section, look for "Common Foci" near the end

Sorcerer/Psychic (Sorcerer Revised pages 46-48) Sorcery uses foci, similar to mages. Sorcerers may have specialty and/or unique foci. Techno-sorcerers cannot surpass foci. Psychic powers are limited to concentration as a focus. This does not count as a specialty or unique focus. In combat: "Concentration" means spending one round doing nothing but concentrating, then using a power the next round. Doing something else at the same time as a mental power requires splitting actions between Wits + Parapsychology and the other action(s). You can surpass the concentration focus to bypass these requirements.