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Posted by: Phototoxin Apr 21 2009, 06:29 PM

Hi,

I'm UK based and I'm thinking of getting (back) into shadowrun, I played a game of it... 2nd ed I think .. about 3 or 4 years ago in my old gaming club before moving to the UK from Ireland. It was hellish fun - on of the most fun RPG's I'd played in a while. The concept was that of a neo-tech-ninja . A sort of high tech spy, we had an orc wizard and that's about all i can remember!

Anyway its my experience that whenever i get an RPG the next edition/update/whatever is out a week later.
I've seen a bit of a vibe about an 'SR4A' (is it ths same as the anniversary edition - I'm not sure of the acronyms) and is this a reprint inclusive of any erratas/FAQs/Clarifications/ et cetera?
To my knowledge shadowrun is in its 4th incarnation, still only uses d6's and that's about it. Has it been re-published with erretas or anything ? Will this happen ?

Also if anyone can recommend a uk based online retailer for RPGs as the last one I dealt with doesn't have shadowrun (shock horror!) and spAmazon's prices are a bit OTT from what I can see.
I was thinking of getting SR & the GM/DM/ST screen as it indicates that it has lots of notes and things and a guide for writing missions/adventures. (Not that I need it having RPG-ed/DM-ed for ~10 yrs!)

Any other hints for what would be good to get or if I should wait until the new release would be appreciated.

Thanks

Posted by: sds Apr 21 2009, 06:37 PM

For UK retailers I've dealt with Orc's Nest several times and so far has been quite happy.

Oh, and welcome (back)!

Posted by: Draco18s Apr 21 2009, 06:43 PM

SR4A is "that next errata edition that they put out." You're just in time, this time.

Posted by: Larsine Apr 21 2009, 06:48 PM

SR4A = Shadowrun 4th edition Anniversary edition, which is the latest version published. However it has not yet reached stores in it's dead tree format, so for now you have to settle for the PDF version.

The original SR4, had 6 print runs. If you do settle for SR4 (instead of the improved SR4A), then 5th and 6th printing have all the erratta that was available at the time. It does not have the latest changes, but you can get the from www.shadowrun4.com. I would however wait until the SR4A is available in print.

You should also wait for the next GM-screen, as it will be a boxed set with a screen, reference sheets, an intro adventure, and the "Anatomy of a Shadowrun" which is a guide for running adventures, and possible other goodies.

And yes SR still uses D6.

Lars

Posted by: Malachi Apr 21 2009, 06:49 PM

Don't buy the current GM Screen. A new GM Screen is going to be released with the product Runner's Toolkit which, as a happy coincidence for you, is a "package" of resources intended to help a new GM/group get into Shadowrun for the first time.

So: pick up the SR4 20th Anniversary Edition rulebook, which is the latest one with all previous errata included (as Draco says), and wait for the Runner's Toolkit to be released. You'll be in good shape!

EDIT: Darn, Lars beat me to it... oh well.

Posted by: Phototoxin Apr 21 2009, 06:55 PM

You cannot begin to understand how happy I am that I didn't get it the other night on amazon !! (just seemed a bit pricey)

Any ETA of the SR4-A paper release ? PDF's are handy for smaller documents (or missions or more shareable stuff) but not for big RPGs I find. I like to have a physical book.

Thanks for the quick responses guys

Posted by: Matsci Apr 21 2009, 07:04 PM

CGL doesn't give a release date till they have the books in the warehouse. I blame SOLA.

Posted by: Draco18s Apr 21 2009, 07:06 PM

We all do, but in a pinch, a pdf works. It's really the only way a group of 8 can have a copy for everyone without needing to smash any piggies.

Posted by: Malachi Apr 21 2009, 07:13 PM

Currently all of my SR4 books are in PDF format. This makes them really good for game-session references (I just text search for the rules) but not so good for taking with me to the Doctor's office or whatever to sit and read. I did get some good mileage out of my Pocket PC with its Pocket Adobe Reader, but it's still not the same as having the physical book in hand, I agree.

I also realized my PDF short-coming when I look at my shelf full of SR3 books. It looked impressive and it really felt like I had something for my monetary investment. I don't have anything impressive-looking like that for SR4. However, it worked out okay for me now because SR4A just came out and that'll be my first book in print, and boy is it going to be a pretty one. Also, for the "core rule" type books, it's nice to wait for the errata stuff to work itself out, then pick up a later printing of the book.

Posted by: Phototoxin Apr 21 2009, 07:16 PM

I guess. But for me this version will have all the errata added so I don't need to worry

Posted by: Malachi Apr 21 2009, 07:18 PM

Exactly. Go find a place to pre-order it now.

Posted by: InfinityzeN Apr 21 2009, 07:24 PM

CGL doesn't like to give ETA's out until they have the printed books back in their warehouse or shipped out to dealers. It avoids them saying "So & So will be out when" and then that product gets dumped, people freak, shouting breaks out, riots in the streets, death mayham and destruction across the worl...

Errrmmm yes. They don't give a when it is coming out until what boils down to a couple weeks to a month. They will tell you what (or at least what is planned/being worked on) though.

Posted by: Larsine Apr 21 2009, 07:26 PM

No book is every completely perfect. Even though the original SR4 had 6 print runs, there was still errors.

SR4A was published as pdf first, and there was a bunch of errors. Many of them was found before the books was sent of to the printer, but a few was first reported after the book was sent off. See this thread for information: http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=25706

Buying the pdf, means that you get a free version when a new print run is made (barring CLG shutting down). That means that all of us that bought SR3A when is was published, already had the first update.

Lars

Posted by: Synner667 Apr 21 2009, 07:32 PM

Try http://www.leisuregames.com/

I've bought stuff off them over the years and never had any problems.

Posted by: Synner667 Apr 21 2009, 07:35 PM

If the company bother to contact you, you can log onto their website and they bother to update your profile - BattleCorps, I'm looking at you for your shoddy behaviour.

Posted by: Malachi Apr 21 2009, 07:38 PM

Are you sure you have that option "notify me when this product is updated" turned on?

Log in to your account on Battlecorps and select the "View or change my product notification list" link at the bottom there. Just check "Global product notifications" to make things simple.

Posted by: Phototoxin Apr 21 2009, 10:44 PM

Hmm I guess that has advantages.... I will have to think about it... to go digital and have it now or to wait and get the organic version.... ooh that's a very SR question in and of itself!!

Posted by: Caadium Apr 21 2009, 11:10 PM

I believe their is a discount if you order both. That way you get the PDF updates, and a hard copy when it is in print. The combined price is lower than the individual prices added up though.

Posted by: Larsine Apr 22 2009, 09:48 AM

But he is UK based, so ordering from the US (for a physical book), means that his book might be intercepted by the Royal Mail, and have VAT and Customs Duty added on top (there should be no VAT on books, but if classified as a game the VAT is 15%). In addition you also have to pay a Royal Mail clearance fee. Don't know how big the Royal Mail clearance fee is in the UK, but in Denmark it is DKK 150 (US$ 25.38, UK£ 17.42).

Read more about this before you buy from outside the EU:
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_001454&propertyType=document
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_PROD1_028719&propertyType=document

One reason why I only buy the PDF from US, but always buy the physical books from my local games dealer.

Lars

Posted by: Phototoxin Apr 23 2009, 06:16 PM

Well I will just have to wait for it to be released in dead tree then buy in online for a uk based retailer I think!!

Also in my view (and the view I'd argue before the magistrates) is that if it has an ISBN then it is a book

Posted by: Ryu Apr 23 2009, 07:24 PM

To Germany it is 7% VAT for books, based on cover price + shipping costs + (get this, even if 0% for books) import tax. So the key additional cost you are looking at is shipping.