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Biotics
Sept 13, 2010 18:17:18 GMT 1
Post by Nemonus on Sept 13, 2010 18:17:18 GMT 1
I found the biotics wheel really confusing the first time I played the game, and therefore my "canon" Shepard is a "hokey religions and ancient weapons" kind of gal. Subsequently I've enjoyed playing as a Vanguard, but still feel like biotics was tossed into the game because BioWare wanted to attract the KotOR crowd with magic. So, I'm curious...
1.) Does your Shepard use biotics?
2.) How do you write them? I've got some experience writing for the Force and can imagine how that "feels", but biotics is more science than the Zen stuff the Force is. Anybody have any good examples--in their own fic or elsewhere--of how to write about people slinging around singularities and make it feel real?
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Biotics
Sept 13, 2010 19:10:58 GMT 1
Post by lieden on Sept 13, 2010 19:10:58 GMT 1
I always played either as a Vanguard or as an Adept. I have not described in writing what it is like for the person using it, but I imagine it like an extension of reach and handling of mass through extreme concentration, using 'muscles' (or whatever the neural implants make the necessary nodes feel like) that one doesn't normally use. A very rough equivalent is the use of the diaphragm in professional singing. You learn to use and manipulate a certain part of your body you were never conscious of before. The whole process is very taxing, which fits with the increased caloric needs of biotics. (An hour's singing will make you want to eat a horse afterwards, incidentally!)
That's just a rough idea I have, though. I never explored it too much in writing, I focus more on the results and tactical aspect of it. Someone might have a better idea!
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Biotics
Sept 13, 2010 19:20:33 GMT 1
Post by Nemonus on Sept 13, 2010 19:20:33 GMT 1
Oooh, I really like the description of "'muscles' (or whatever the neural implants make the necessary nodes feel like'". It's probably unlike the Force in that it does feel like a part of the body. That would also explain the need to eat. Interesting!
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Biotics
Sept 13, 2010 21:09:38 GMT 1
Post by Mister Buch on Sept 13, 2010 21:09:38 GMT 1
My main Shepard just has a biotic push as her extra ability.
I agree with you, lieden. I picture it very similar.
I don't think of it as mystical or supernatural in any way, but like a procedural memory. Something you can learn to do, without being able to describe the process.
I'm pretty sure I read in the codex that human soldiers often use a physical 'mnemonic' to activate their biotic skills, like a hand gesture.
I described the feeling of biotics once, in an old fic, where an early-teenage Shepard becomes aware of her biotic ability. I had her extending her arm and fingers over and over, trying to use magic to push over an object, just for fun. And eventually it actually happens, and she's surprised. Then in another scene when she's older, she extends her hand after using red sand (which enhances biotics... I think) and it happens again, completely by accident. So she's used the correct muscles (neurons?) unconsciously.
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And biotics are absolutely a cheap way to insert magic into the setting!
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Biotics
Sept 14, 2010 1:08:37 GMT 1
Post by jklinders on Sept 14, 2010 1:08:37 GMT 1
I thought that biotics were according to canon as a manifestation of the mass effect using a biological interface. This seems to me to be reasonable, as people who have biotics are those who have had exposure to element zero this is all the excuse for the space magic I need.
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Biotics
Sept 14, 2010 2:12:37 GMT 1
Post by Battlechantress on Sept 14, 2010 2:12:37 GMT 1
Yeah, Red Sand amps biotics, but as the volus on Ilium explains it (I haven't played ME2 for a while and I'm crap with names again today, sorry) it's also highly toxic. So yeah, you might have a brief spell where you can kick ass like Jack, but your innards will probably liquify or something afterwards.
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Biotics
Sept 14, 2010 3:58:13 GMT 1
Post by jklinders on Sept 14, 2010 3:58:13 GMT 1
Yeah, Red Sand amps biotics, but as the volus on Ilium explains it (I haven't played ME2 for a while and I'm crap with names again today, sorry) it's also highly toxic. So yeah, you might have a brief spell where you can kick ass like Jack, but your innards will probably liquify or something afterwards. Actually the Volus was selling some other crap. Something or other made up thing X. Red sand seems to be some kind of mental stimulant similar to cocaine only effecting multiple species. Red sand remember is legal on Illium with a license. The junk creepy Volus was selling was not.
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Biotics
Sept 14, 2010 4:34:20 GMT 1
Post by Battlechantress on Sept 14, 2010 4:34:20 GMT 1
I thought he did say it was Red Sand. Oops.
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Biotics
Sept 14, 2010 5:01:33 GMT 1
Post by jklinders on Sept 14, 2010 5:01:33 GMT 1
He was selling that too. But without a license. He was a bad bad boy.
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Biotics
Sept 14, 2010 8:14:44 GMT 1
Post by Mr. Glow on Sept 14, 2010 8:14:44 GMT 1
Red Sand does ramp up Biotic power as well, just as a side effect. The drug that Volus guy was pushing just ramped it up a lot more.
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Biotics
Sept 14, 2010 11:53:05 GMT 1
Post by Mister Buch on Sept 14, 2010 11:53:05 GMT 1
There we go. That's good because that's what I wrote.
From what I remember of my research (reading wiki...) red sand is basically cocaine with a biotic effect.
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Biotics
Sept 14, 2010 15:45:11 GMT 1
Post by Mr. Glow on Sept 14, 2010 15:45:11 GMT 1
God help us all if Phil Mitchell ever gets access to a spaceship then ;D
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Biotics
Sept 18, 2010 16:36:35 GMT 1
Post by Nemonus on Sept 18, 2010 16:36:35 GMT 1
Reading this first would have answered all the questions I came to this thread for, I think. Fantastic description of both the science of biotics and what it feels like to use them--at least in one special case.
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