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Mine's Not a High Horse
Aug. 10th, 2016 10:59 amMy last-hour GenCon purchase was the Shadowrun Anarchy Prototype - a 48-page preview of the upcoming rules-lighter version of the game. I like what I see - magic and cybernetics and all that are rolled into a catch-all category of "Shadow Amplifications," or just "Amps." They do appropriate things. Ranges (weapons and movement) are given in bands, not unlike FFG's Star Wars games. A weapon is OK, -2, or - at the Close, Near, or Far ranges, so no roll penalty, a 2-dice penalty, or unusable. Can't hit a guy three blocks away with a handgun, and can't use your big ol' sniper rifle against the guy right next to you. The full version of the game promises easy compatibility with Shadowrun 5, too.
Adapting to the Mariner will take some time. I can't fling it into and through curves like I did with the Focus, and holy cow is the visibility different. It's a refined descendant of my Explorer, I guess. Not quite a truck, but with truck qualities. And a killer Shaker 360 audio system.
I drove three other vehicles before deciding on the Mariner. 2008 Taurus - very comfortable, but big. And a CVT mated to an early version of the 3.5L V6; anemic acceleration. Third-generation Explorer XLT, dark red, V6 - really comfortable, nicely equipped, but just bigger than I wanted. F-150 Supercrew - a descendant of my first vehicle. 2WD, V8, and it was a real truck. Probably too thirsty, and only a 4.5' bed. I liked it, but, not now. My plan with the Focus was to get through graduate school and my first year or two in the new career, then look into a new Ranger. Now ... well, the Mariner looks to be in very good condition, and the mileage is low for its age, so barring something unexpected, I'll keep it going for a longer stretch and go from there.
Adapting to the Mariner will take some time. I can't fling it into and through curves like I did with the Focus, and holy cow is the visibility different. It's a refined descendant of my Explorer, I guess. Not quite a truck, but with truck qualities. And a killer Shaker 360 audio system.
I drove three other vehicles before deciding on the Mariner. 2008 Taurus - very comfortable, but big. And a CVT mated to an early version of the 3.5L V6; anemic acceleration. Third-generation Explorer XLT, dark red, V6 - really comfortable, nicely equipped, but just bigger than I wanted. F-150 Supercrew - a descendant of my first vehicle. 2WD, V8, and it was a real truck. Probably too thirsty, and only a 4.5' bed. I liked it, but, not now. My plan with the Focus was to get through graduate school and my first year or two in the new career, then look into a new Ranger. Now ... well, the Mariner looks to be in very good condition, and the mileage is low for its age, so barring something unexpected, I'll keep it going for a longer stretch and go from there.
