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Shooting Target ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 1,894 Joined: 11-May 09 Member No.: 17,166 ![]() |
It's sort of a cliche in my experience, the "ex-military" shadowrunner gunslinger, who might have (often) had some Special Forces experience. But how would such an individual really fit in with a group of individualistic, mercenary, greedy misanthropes like your average scratch shadowrunning team?
Let's look at what the bring to the table: Tactical training, knowledge and experience. Weapon and possibly demolition training and experience. Self-discipline, certainly above what's common on the streeths of the 6th world. A team oriented attitude, with possible leadership experience. Whatever secondary skills the military handed them. MilSpec bio- and cyberware. (This list isn't meant to be exclusive, just to give an idea of some common bits.) Working against them: They are accustomed to a functional chain of command, knowing who their boss is. They are accustomed to an orderly process. They are accustomed to extensive logistical support, generally speaking. They are accustomed to a clear deliniation of responsibilities. They are accustomed to trusting their team mates with their lives, and vice versa. They are accustomed to intensive team and personal training. They are accustomed to everybody on their team being in peak physical shape. See a problem here? The shadows are NOT the military, and don't operate like the military. Now, if they could get their team mates to see things their way, they could be highly effective and impart a great deal of strength and ability to a team. Their focus and attitude could easily build a group of individuals into a finely honed instrument... or the samurai could decide the drekker is pissing them off and frag the slot as soon as his back is turned. My problem is that most of the military characters I have played with have NONE of those subtle signs that scream "military!" to the world around them. Worldwide, there is this odd ability of long-haul SF operators to spot each other in a crowd, never having spoken or even met; They acknowledge each other with a bare respectful nod and carry on. Recently, one of the most junior role-players I have gamed with recently was in the back of the StufferShackTM when it all came appart, and he was the last person to open fire, despite initiative advantages and all the bonuses you could imagine. When queried by the GM, he said "I don't know who the bad guys are here; these are civilians and I', not going to shoot until I know who to shoot at." After the fight, he (the player) felt like he hadn't been "useful", but the GM and I (and a couple other players) jumped right on him and told him he had done it EXACTLY right. Surrounded by civilians, a SF operator isn't going to open fire until either they are ABSOLUTELY positive of their target discrimination, or they are directly threatened, and they didn't move on him directly. He went away and thought about it, then came back and asked to talk more about that side of the mindset. He's turned into a VERY believable ex-military SF operator, and I am proud to brag on him to everybody. When I first met him (at age fifteen or so - gods! Has it been THAT long?), he was the worst power-gaming bigger-gun shoot-first roll-playing kid you ever met. We're quite proud of him in our group, for how he's matured as a gamer and a role player. So here's my actual question, since I wound up rambling to illustrate a simple point: Do you think it's actually realistic to expect ex-military (especially ex-SF operators) to not only survive but to thrive and/or be in high demain in the world of the Shadows? I will weigh back in later with my own views, but have at it for now! |
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Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 11th August 2025 - 09:03 AM |
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