Thanks for posting :)
I am currently working on running a game event in person at the end of March, but after that, I intend to have a look at Crews and I would love to see any work you have done re: a Map. My current thought is to make a Zaunite Crew and Piltie Crew, and then make a Faction list for Faction play
You are 100% correct about the Hex Core - I did consider calling them Hex Gems, but it didn't roll off the tongue as easily - and it fails to capture the essence of the Refined Hex Gems - which are what is required for successful Hex Tech in the show. And Refined Hex Gems is even more of a mouthful. I decided Hex Core is a simple enough term people will know I what I mean.
So my thinking for the HexTech dice is that they are rolled in addition to a regular Skill. So if a player has 2 dice in Wreck, they are getting a free 3rd dice from their gauntlets, and if they push themselves or get assistance they start to get into 4 or 5 dice very quickly - which in Blades terms becomes quite powerful. My thinking was that the Hex Tech device either works perfectly (ie a 6: Full Success), or it is used as part of your standard roll (so a 4/5 on the normal action dice). The idea of the Consequences on a 1 is that your Hex Dice can always go wrong - even if you roll a 6: Full Success on your Action Dice. I was trying to capture the fact that Hex Tech is sometimes too powerful a force to contain.
I allocated partial success to Shimmer effects because I believe the essence of Shimmer naturally allows for relentless progress, albeit at a toll on your body—manifested here as Stress. Compared to Hex Tech, Shimmer leaves a more lasting effect on the player character but also tends to yield results in a more unpredictable manner.
I can't say for certain your suggestion is a good or bad idea. My instinct is it might trigger too many HexTech consequences, which could make Hex Tech undesirable for risk-averse players. But if you make some changes, I wish you luckm, and I would love to hear about them :)
I have only had a chance to run a few small sessions, though I am taking it to a Convention in April, so I should have a bit more intense playtesting there.