Printable Version of Topic
Click here to view this topic in its original format
Dumpshock Forums _ Shadowrun _ First character review
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 04:44 AM
Hoi chummers. Me again. I've been away from Dumpshock and Shadowrun for a few months. Because ponies. Yes, THOSE ponies.
Wanyway. A friend has said she wants to get into SR, and I've been all too willing to introduce her to our twisted ways of shooting people right in the face for money. Now we've crunched up a nice little street samurai together, focussing on wetwork and B&E. Likely Pink Mohawk in flavour, since all she knows about SR comes from http://spoonyexperiment.com/2011/10/08/shadowrun-the-squirt-gun-wars/.
Crunch follows:
Posted by: phlapjack77 Nov 2 2011, 04:52 AM
maybe add the Perception skill? Etiquette could also help...
Posted by: Udoshi Nov 2 2011, 06:49 AM
Qualities:
I see -incredible- point inefficiency with your uses of Restricted Gear. Move by wire 2 is a very solid choice.
Buy those drugs with your starting money, before the campaign 'begins'. Better yet, buy Chemistry skill and a Chem Shop (10k is 2bp)
I see a lot of guns on the character. Ambidexterity would be a solid choice to go with your two-weapon style.
Attributes:
raise your body to 4, pick up a Chameleon Suit. This should let you wear FFBA and your invisible-suit at the same time without encumberance.
It seems like you want to cover all the bases - shooting, Conning, at least a little bit. Strongly consider going Elf. Its a break-even proposition at your current stats, and if you're not pumping your edge at start, its almost not worth going human.
Skills:
You have Athletics, so you can Gymdodge, but no Synthacardium.
Breaking and entering is one of the few skill areas which benefits a lot from Enhanced Articulation. Physical skills linked to physical attributes covers a lot of bases.
Perception is critical. Attention coprocessor cyberware is hella cheap and very good for what it does. With a decent perception, intuition, attention co processor, vision magnification, and a specialization for perception your samurai will have vision like a hawk, and nearly nothing will slip by them. Note that krav maga take aim as a free works with your cybereye vision magnification.
Cy
Might I suggest changing Blades to Clubs, as clubs covers gunbashing, pistolwhipping, and all manner of improvised weaponry? Its absolutely fantastic for a Two Weapon style user. Don't forget to put Melee Hardening on your guns, though. However, blades is for spurs.
You can't combine skillgroups with specializations at start, however, this is a really common houserule because BP creation is kinda dumb
Martial arts: Lookin great!
You may want to consider Full Offense. It may be poorly written, but it lets you defend against ranged attacks while in use.
Finishing move is also fantastic, but you usualy want the edge in IP passes on your opponents to make use of it.
Riposte is also amazing, because you're not required to riposte with a melee attack - you can do it with a squirtgun or bullet too, and may fit the theme of the elegant samurai.
Commlink: you can do better.
Analyze 6, ergonomic, optimize 3. Ditto Browse, Command, Edit, Encrypt. Maybe Scan. <-- if cash is tight, go for a Pro user suite. Almost as good, fantastic bang for buck.
Hackware: get Stealth(due to availability limits, you can either get rating 6 at start, or rating 5 + options, like ergonomic), and a rating 6 firewall. If you have an interest in hacking, or would like to assist your decker in the matrix minigame, or not be left out of it - get Exploit, Spoof, Decrypt at a bare minimum. Defuse and biofeedback filter will keep you alive.
Drop the IC, dicepool is worthless at those levels. Maybe get a Singularity Encore - they're cheap - to run your programs and do matrix searches for you.
You can start with a rating 5 commlink within the availability limits fairly easily - its about 10k in total. If you want to run programs, or give it a shot, its worth it. Keep in mind that you can plan to upgrade - a reponse 6 chip is 8k, and can be picked up fairly soon after the game starts, especailly if you have a contact to Negotiate with. Firewall isn't capped by system, and you can buy programs/system at 6, and just run/downgrade it at 5 until you get a better CPU chip.
Ware:
Dermal sheath: Bad idea. really bad. Its expensive, its obvious cyberware, and the bonus armor is affected by weapon AP. Bone Density is better, and the same price as your alphaware sheath, while being better on the essence.
Cybereyes: Why isn't there a smartlink in there? Rating 5 cybereyes are -fantastic- for what they do. Both in price, essence, as bonuses. All cyberguns have built in smartlinks, so you're missing out on bonuses.
Cyberears: The ear options aren't as good as eyes, but the Balance Augmenter is a great way to claim extra dice on gymnastics, which you want if you're planning on Gymdodging.
Regarding the character's taste for chemical warfare, cyberglands, and squirtguns: Take a look at the Chemical Gland bioware in arsenal. You can use this to make an effectively unlimited supply of some drugs, or even hook it up to other ware in order to refill it using the External Release variant. There are two things you can do to make it better: hook it up to a cybergland, so you can build up a reservoir and choose when do use it instead of it being produced all the time(i would hook that up to the various squirtguns in order to refill it). Narcojet is a good compound to choose. Secondly, Second Hand bioware is -fantastic- to put on this. It doubles your money for a very slight increase in spent essence.
Regarding cybersuirt in mouth: Not really iffy. Augmentation has options for oral weaponry already: a dartgun, a spike, and the aforementioned chemical gland can has an exhalation/breath weapon variant for breathing onto people. Cyberskulls can take cyberguns. Not that iffy really.
Cyberspurs: if you've got em, you might as well mod em. Personalized Grip is ace. If you don't necessarily need wolverine claws, Shock Hands are also fantastic.
Regarding cybertits/breast implants: Breast surgery as we think of it is actually covered by Biosculpting, which may give bonus social dice depending on your gm.( see sidebar page 62 aug). Breast implants are incredibly freaky pieces of cyberware that can actually change size on the fly, and your player may not have realized this upon reading it on first glance. If you plan on using Disguise a lot, then i suppose it makes sense. It is, however, not strictly required to pair it with the cybergland, and dropping it may save you essence)
That being said, i LIKE this character. Its really nice to see someone going for the Iconic Samurai - built in guns, nasty chemicals, claws, and a bit of everything. Do not let me discourage you, and sorry if my critique sounds a bit harsh, or is confusing because i'm not citing pages for this stuff - if you have questions about where to find this stuff, or how it works, please just ask.
One thing that really pops out to me when looking over this character - actually, not even the character, just the stats: It would be SO MUCH better in karmagen(the balanced version), just because it doesn't punish people for making a character with average stats in the 2's, 3's and 4's.
Posted by: Dahrken Nov 2 2011, 12:05 PM
Personalized Grip on cyberspurs ?????
Posted by: HunterHerne Nov 2 2011, 12:14 PM
I thought cyberweapons couldn't be modded? (Not to mention the rediculousness of personal gripping something that comes out of a joint...)
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 12:20 PM
You guys haven't changed a bit. It's good to be home.
*grabs popcorn*
Posted by: Seriously Mike Nov 2 2011, 12:23 PM
Glitching on a cyber squirtgun loaded with cyanide. I'd LOVE to see that.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 12:30 PM
The cyanide is loaded in the Breast Implants cybergland, with DMSO. Derp.
Posted by: Tymeaus Jalynsfein Nov 2 2011, 12:33 PM
Cybereyes: Why isn't there a smartlink in there? Rating 5 cybereyes are -fantastic- for what they do. Both in price, essence, as bonuses. All cyberguns have built in smartlinks, so you're missing out on bonuses.
Just a Note... Rating 5 Cybereyes? No Such Animal...
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 12:34 PM
Inb4 bulk modification.
Posted by: Seriously Mike Nov 2 2011, 12:36 PM
No. Just NO.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 12:38 PM
Mike, she's new. We've all been there.
Posted by: Seriously Mike Nov 2 2011, 12:56 PM
But I didn't put toxin-squirting tits on my female street-sam! I mean, c'mon, I could understand Bubbles the pink ork gunner, but toxin-squirting tits ask for a doubly sucking chest wound.
That and she doesn't have the skill to use her cyber holdout.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 12:59 PM
That and she doesn't have the skill to use her cyber holdout.
She would use the holdout when it was in someone's face. And we both like the toxin-squirting tits.
Posted by: KarmaInferno Nov 2 2011, 01:10 PM
http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=35788
And yes, we did miss you. But we have time to reload.
-k
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 01:27 PM
And yes, we did miss you. But we have time to reload.
All my <3.
Posted by: HunterHerne Nov 2 2011, 01:38 PM
And yes, we did miss you. But we have time to reload.
-k
All my <3.
Damn bronies...
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 01:42 PM
I was giving love because he said I was missed. I'm leaving my pony fandom at the door here.
For now.
I may crunch up a centaur or two.... with a nanotat cutie mark....
Posted by: Tymeaus Jalynsfein Nov 2 2011, 01:57 PM
Besides, I would think that they would be more useful when they are being suckled upon. You know, as in used clandestinely. Of course, that is just me.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 02:01 PM
That was sort of the point. Also, a good defence if someone tries to grope them.
Posted by: Tymeaus Jalynsfein Nov 2 2011, 02:49 PM
Indeed. That was the first thing that I thought of.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 03:02 PM
As soon as I showed her the description of the cyber breasts, how they could change size and shape, she had to have them. She's going through the adorable, "My character is so cool!" stage.
Posted by: Tymeaus Jalynsfein Nov 2 2011, 03:21 PM
You just have to love new players.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 03:25 PM
She's already attached. I had to promise her the above situation with the boobs glitching would never happen. I'm also gonna be adding a Loyalty 6 Contact to look after her.
Posted by: Tymeaus Jalynsfein Nov 2 2011, 03:34 PM
Heh... Sounds like a lot of fun. Good Luck...
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 03:52 PM
She should be here shortly, as soon as her account is validated. She goes by http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showuser=42247.
Posted by: Tymeaus Jalynsfein Nov 2 2011, 04:14 PM
Will keep an eye out for her.
Posted by: Seriously Mike Nov 2 2011, 04:52 PM
It's still 3 to 5 dice, depending if the laser sight is on or off. Cue critch causing the mechanism to jam or break. Taking some important mechanisms of the cyberarm with it.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 04:58 PM
If I was GMing, I wouldn't call for a Pistols roll in that situation, firing point blank. That's just my preference. Some sort of Opposed Roll to position the gun port, but I wouldn't call for Pistols.
Posted by: Udoshi Nov 2 2011, 06:33 PM
Accessories are not mods.
Arsenal even points out you can use both on a single gun. And besides, it makes sense that piece of cyberware would be tailored for its recipient. In fact, they already are, personalized grip just expands on it.
And yes, i did mean rating 4 cybereyes. I was thinking of how much essence the took, whoops.
Since you're using Longarms already, I would also suggest grabbing an AA-16 with starting money, and putting an auto-adjusting weight(mod) on it. An Additional Clip takes the last two mod slots. For accessories, a Top-mount Smartlink. Pick up some armor piercing flechettes from War!, and stick either slugs or stick and shocks in the other clip. The end result is a really versatile weapon that has good range(no really, non-flechette ammo goes pretty far), great damage(9p ap-1), and can long burst without penalty.
There are also some shotgun pistols that exist, and may be worth looking into. If your Gm allowes it, the Altmyr SP(from the german http://pdfcast.org/pdf/germanstuff#) should do just nicely. May save you from having to buy multiple skills.
Posted by: Dahrken Nov 2 2011, 06:54 PM
The description of Personalized Grip in Arsenal says :
"Available for all kinds of ranged and melee weapons that include a handle or grip". Implanted blades (and guns) have no grip or handle.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 07:06 PM
Just so you know, the goal of the character, in terms of concept, is a sexy female Adam Jensen from Deus Ex: Human Revolution. That's why the cyberarms and blades. Everything else was just thrown in for fun. The ToxinTits, the Barret, the Mirage, all that.
Posted by: Warlordtheft Nov 2 2011, 07:20 PM
IMHO or .02 Nuyen: She needs a point in perception and a point in either thrown weapons or a few in pistols. She needs something less obvious for ranged when she is out to meet the Johnson. Of course if it is full blown pink mohawk, you may not need to bother.
Posted by: Udoshi Nov 2 2011, 07:21 PM
And how do you propose they are attached to the character, if they don't have any sort of grip or handle?
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 07:25 PM
This. I'mma need a few more points from somewhere for Perception and a Loyalty 6 Contact, which I count as 20 BP I need to pull out of somewhere. I'm thinking dropping the Magic Resistance? I've promised her a mage friend who will try and Heal her as much as possible, and MR blocks voluntary spells.
And I'm not adding Personalised Grip to the Cyberspurs.
Posted by: Tymeaus Jalynsfein Nov 2 2011, 07:49 PM
Simple, they have a MOUNTING point, which are neither a grip, nor a handle. Grips and Handles are for things used IN HANDS...
Posted by: Dahrken Nov 2 2011, 07:58 PM
A grip or a handle is to hold something, and customized grip allow the item to better fit you hand(s) so you have a better control.
Cyberspurs or cyberguns are either implanted inside a meat part of the body and anchored to the bone structure or built into the structure of a cyberlimb, with some kind of telescoping mount for retractable weapons like spurs. They have no grip or handle because they are not hand-held items to begin with.
Posted by: Dahrken Nov 2 2011, 07:59 PM
A grip or a handle is to hold something, and customized grip allow the item to better fit you hand(s) so you have a better control. Cyberspurs or cyberguns are either implanted inside a meat part of the body and anchored to the bone structure or built into the structure of a cyberlimb, with some kind of telescoping mount for retractable weapons like spurs. They have no grip or handle because they are not hand-held items to begin with.
Would you allow the use of Personalized Grip on a turreted weapon ?
Posted by: Udoshi Nov 2 2011, 08:18 PM
Bad example. Turret+manual controls = controls to hold onto
Posted by: Yerameyahu Nov 2 2011, 08:38 PM
Yeah, the idea of P-Grip on an implant is just incredibly beyond cheese.
Even for a manual mounted weapon, it seems silly that the P-Grip would appreciably influence the RC (which is the only thing P-Grip does on ranged weapons). This is aside from it being a bad idea to *personalize* a weapon that almost by definition is used by whoever's available to man it. I guess I'd allow it, just because it's not totally insane, and who even needs RC on a mounted gun anyway?
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 08:44 PM
Have we got that?
Posted by: Warlordtheft Nov 2 2011, 09:05 PM
And I'm not adding Personalised Grip to the Cyberspurs.
Probably could break the athletics group apart and put lower skills (like a 1) in the less useful skills. Also, drop magic resistance as you thought. I agree it is a double edged sword...
Posted by: Yerameyahu Nov 2 2011, 09:09 PM
I know, Xahn. Udoshi's the one.
Posted by: BerryPunch Nov 2 2011, 09:30 PM
Oh look it's my character! 
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 09:36 PM
Hoi chummer. How's biz?
Posted by: BerryPunch Nov 2 2011, 09:42 PM
Who be dissing my awesome cyanide tits?!
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 09:45 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Berry Punch. Yes, THAT Berry Punch.
Posted by: BerryPunch Nov 2 2011, 09:55 PM
Thank you, thank you. -bows-
Posted by: Tymeaus Jalynsfein Nov 2 2011, 09:58 PM
Welcome to the Insanity, Berry Punch...
Posted by: whatevs Nov 2 2011, 10:11 PM
The only thing better than two implanted cyanide tits is... Wait for it...
Posted by: Dr.Rockso Nov 2 2011, 10:14 PM
Two implanted cyanide tits AND a cyber penis with implanted cybersquirt gun?
Posted by: whatevs Nov 2 2011, 10:17 PM
Was actually thinking three implanted cyanide tits, but 'a' for creativity.
Posted by: BerryPunch Nov 2 2011, 10:24 PM
All shall bow down to the mighty cyber penis!
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 10:34 PM
She's learning quick, bless her. :')
Posted by: BerryPunch Nov 2 2011, 10:52 PM
I try my hardest. ;D
Posted by: Udoshi Nov 2 2011, 10:53 PM
Now you just need the quality Day Job: Mister johnson.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 10:58 PM
Icwutudidthar.
Posted by: BerryPunch Nov 2 2011, 11:06 PM
I had to have this explained to me. :c
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 2 2011, 11:18 PM
Just read that core book.... then I'll let you get into Arsenal... then Augmentation, then Street Magic, then Runner's Companion, then Unwired, then *continues for several minutes, listing books*
Posted by: Udoshi Nov 3 2011, 03:32 AM
Uh, you're welcome, I guess!
Welcome to dumpshock, the most wretched hive of scum, villiany, and below the belt humor this side of google. Come on in, pull up a chair.
Posted by: Yerameyahu Nov 3 2011, 03:36 AM
Nooo, don't sit by Udoshi. He'll teach you the ways of the RAW-munchkin side until you're chanting, "it doesn't say I can't… it doesn't say I can't".
Posted by: BerryPunch Nov 3 2011, 06:54 AM
Welcome to dumpshock, the most wretched hive of scum, villiany, and below the belt humor this side of google. Come on in, pull up a chair.
Awwwwwww yeeaaaaaah!
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 3 2011, 07:01 AM
Is longbow still around these parts? Now THERE was a good munch!
Posted by: BerryPunch Nov 3 2011, 07:16 AM
Awww my thread died down. :c
Posted by: ggodo Nov 3 2011, 07:41 AM
He's on here less now, my SR group's died down a bit. All of us are trying to get through that final push out of college. That and Skyrim is coming out, so he'll powergame the crap out of that for a while and stop giving me such a headache.
Posted by: ElFenrir Nov 3 2011, 08:29 AM
Someone might have missed this in the pages of cyberboobage, but a suggestion: Add Body 5 to the cyber arms instead and just go down to Str 3 instead of leaving them Body 3. It's only the loss of 1 DV and will add more to overall Body. (So it would be Agl 5, Body 5, Str 3.) IMO that would be a bit better overall, as I find new players do well with good survivability.
Posted by: Seriously Mike Nov 3 2011, 08:49 AM
http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=35905&st=0&start=0. Look no further.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 3 2011, 03:14 PM
Needs more cyanide squirting tits~
Posted by: X-Kalibur Nov 3 2011, 05:22 PM
My dear, why do your breasts smell like almonds?
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 3 2011, 05:25 PM
I bet you say that to all the ladies. *spurt*
Posted by: Dr.Rockso Nov 3 2011, 05:34 PM
I wonder...if you're a troll...could you claim that a cyberpenis counts as a custom cyberlimb? And could you then get bulk modification? And could you then add ar- ok, gone too far. This is getting added to the things I'm Not Allowed To Do In Shadowrun thread.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 3 2011, 05:47 PM
It's already in there. Someone wanted to add a Jackhammer to it.
Posted by: Dr.Rockso Nov 3 2011, 05:51 PM
Bah, should have guessed.
Posted by: Udoshi Nov 3 2011, 11:10 PM
Hi-5!
Why do you need to be a troll? Just approximate size and essence costs from the cyberlimb sizes.
You know what's really disgusting? Even a 'hand' sized limb has enough room for a cyberimplant monowhip
This has been joked about at my gaming table, including the accompanying jokes like 'is that a blank in your pants, or are you happy to see me?' or the omnipresent suggestion to "bulk mod" it. News at 9, cybernetic wang jokes, serious business.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 4 2011, 03:53 AM
It's still the same old Dumpshock I remember.
Posted by: CanRay Nov 4 2011, 03:54 AM
Why do I feel so old now???
Posted by: BerryPunch Nov 4 2011, 03:59 AM
Because you're wearing a grey wig, fake grey beard and walking around with a cane, shaking your fist at young people.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 4 2011, 05:09 AM
Couldn't have said it better myself.
How you doing, Canny? Miss me? I've got a lot of mocking saved up for you, you know....
Posted by: BerryPunch Nov 4 2011, 05:17 AM
Get off my lawn you young whipper snappers! *shakes fist*
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 4 2011, 05:18 AM
That's what I call a successful Con roll. I could've sworn that was Canny!
Posted by: BerryPunch Nov 4 2011, 05:29 AM
Yaaaay!
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 4 2011, 01:47 PM
Updated crunch follows:
Posted by: CanRay Nov 4 2011, 03:20 PM
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 4 2011, 03:39 PM
Oh, you did not just threaten Berry Punch. Prepare your anus, Gramps. This girl's gonna buck your world up. HARD.
Posted by: CanRay Nov 4 2011, 03:40 PM
No, just pointing out that threatening to punch is like talking with a pistol in your hand. You don't talk then shoot, you shoot then talk. 
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 4 2011, 03:47 PM
No, you shoot, then shoot, then shoot again, then shoot some more. Then you drink.
Posted by: CanRay Nov 4 2011, 04:01 PM
Shadowrun: The Drinking Game?
I'm in.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 4 2011, 04:06 PM
Take a shot every time you glitch and end up soaked with some kind of liquid. If it came from someone else's person, make it a double.
Posted by: Dr.Rockso Nov 4 2011, 04:09 PM
Wait, you were joking? I'm drawing up a character as we speak.
Posted by: ggodo Nov 4 2011, 04:42 PM
So glad I'm not the only one.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 4 2011, 04:46 PM
Cockfight. 
Posted by: ggodo Nov 4 2011, 05:31 PM
Truly a swordfight for the ages.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 4 2011, 05:34 PM
Exotic Melee Weapon Skill: Mr. Johnson.
Posted by: Dr.Rockso Nov 4 2011, 05:41 PM
I might mix things up and go for Exotic Ranged Weapon Skill: Mr. Johnson.
You can cyber implant an Ares Redline, right?
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 4 2011, 05:44 PM
"Doctor, I've noticed a burning sensation when I pee."
"Oh? Whereabouts?"
"Right between the eyes."
*bzzap*
Posted by: X-Kalibur Nov 4 2011, 11:08 PM
Well it certainly seems my days of not taking you seriously have come to a middle.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 4 2011, 11:41 PM
I'd hate to think you were taking me seriously at all. Celestia knows I don't.
Posted by: Udoshi Nov 5 2011, 03:17 AM
I'm re-reading this last page of posts, and one thing pops into my head.
GAH! what have I dooone?! what foul things have I unleashed! oh the horror, the horror.
You folks know the saying. Give the players an inch...
..and they'll take all nine if they think they can get away with it.
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 5 2011, 04:43 AM
..and they'll take all nine if they think they can get away with it.
Only nine? I'm sure you can do better than that. ;D
Posted by: Udoshi Nov 5 2011, 08:43 PM
Sure, but on a pixie?
Posted by: Xahn Borealis Nov 5 2011, 09:46 PM
And of course, the member's Strength is more than five times the Pixie's.
Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)