Creating Runs: How do experienced GM's do it?, Noob GM needs help (you'll get tired of me asking for help) Options

[Abstruse]

My method (and that's all pretty much anyone is saying here, their methods...take what works for you and leave the rest) is to come up with motives for all the key players.

Johnson: I need to accomplish goal A. In order to do so, I will hire a team and tell them I need them to do X (where X can be straightforward or just one step in the plan for A). Once they accomplish X, I will do Y (which can be anything from paying them and waving bye to double-crossing them to anything in between). If they don't accomplish X, I will do Z.

Target (extraction): I work for or are being held by Corp A. I want to or don't want to go to Corp B instead. I will do X to encourage/prevent that.

Target (execution): I don't wanna die!!!!

Target (exec of target corp): I know or don't know A is happening. I will perform acts B, C, D, E, and/or F to prevent it.

After I have that down, I then go about planning out the location. I'll draw up a general blueprint of the area and a specific floorplan of important places (where fights are likely to break out, where the prototype/extraction target/MacGuffin is located, etc.) I'll plan out what security is where for what reason.

I'll tell them exactly what they know starting out, then let them do whatever legwork they need to do. Then I let them do the run as they want to with the information they have. I'll adjust as necessary for the PCs doing weird/stupid things like tipping off the other company or trying to sell the MacGuffin to another corp or whatever.

This strategy works well for me because I'm good at improving on the table. For others, it may not work. However, I really feel this is the best method for Shadowrun because there are so many ways that your PCs can completely screw up your plans. Like someone said, they will ALWAYS turn left when you expect them to turn right, turn right when you expect them to turn left, retreat when they should attack, attack when they should retreat, etc. etc. They say "No good plan survives contact with the enemy", and while this is good advice for your players, it's ten times more important for you as GM.

[CanRay]

I just steal from movies, TV, books, and bad dreams... Then add more violence until I feel the group will be challenged.

Well, except for the bad dreams, those I dial back. If what I say scares some people on the board, my Nightmares would have you banning me.

[eyeBliss]

A bit of a tangent here, but has anyone started some sort of NPC depository?

[redwulf25]

A bit of a tangent here, but has anyone started some sort of NPC depository?

That would be awesome. If there isn't one already I would strongly encourage creating one.

[Epicedion]

I keep my NPCs on google docs, organized in collected files by affiliation. For example, I have a Knight Errant Threats document that contains stat blocks for regular KE intsec, KE security hackers and riggers, KE security mages, and KE armed response teams.

That Knight Errant Threats file is also good for fudging random security if I don't have another applicable file. Mostly I build these things up as I need them, and the number of options I have keeps growing.

Highly interactive NPCs (like team contacts or prime runners) get their own NPC -- <Name> -- <Role> document. Something like:

NPC -- Art Vandelay -- Smuggler

or

NPC -- Drekhed -- Ganger

[CanRay]

People should feel free to use my Accountant From Hell as an NPC. He'd be great as a Money Launderer Contact. Always useful.

[James McMurray]

I keep my NPCs on google docs, organized in collected files by affiliation.

You know, one of the great things about google docs is the ability to make a file publicly viewable but not editable... Just sayin'. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Tiralee]

As mentioned above: Be Flexible.

If you give your players something simple to do, like protect a mom-and-pop store from a bunch of gangers, let the players figure out what's going to happen.

1: They defend the store, collect the cash and go home. (Uninspired players, by-the-book mission, use mooks of known quantity - you should do better than this.)

2: They recognise that ganger's don't have that sort of gear and/or their clothing/colours/signs are whak - something's not right here, develop, legwork, roleplay, guard. (Players have Good perception rolls, use of background skills, etc. Let the players figure out that additional skills, logic, smarts, etc, pay off in spades.)

3: Why on earth would a crap-hole like this hire your nova-hot runners? Oh...it's a front for Mafia/Yak/Triad/X Corp/Tribal Interest group/Insect Spirits...Make it seem like a simple discovery, then let their imaginations paint a horrible future for them... (More experienced players, they know some of the lore, well...enough to expect the worst)

4: Have them hit by not 1 gang, but 6, with bullets, spells and vehicles flying about. (Pink Mohawk Rock and Roll, Forever!)

5: Have them survive the run, then find their employer ritually slain with a hardcopy flimsy of the team with their eyes cut out and "you're next" written on the ground next to the pic with a piece of the victim's liver. ("Survival" players, let them work out who want them dead, past betrayals, etc. All for a good time:))

Frankly, if you're light on your feet, your players will drive the adventure, unless they want to sit there and be entertained. Then it's break out the x-box and play call of duty.

-Tir.

[Troyminator]

You guys Rock. Thanks so much for all of the ideas!

[CanRay]

You guys Rock. Thanks so much for all of the ideas!

Just wait until you get our bill. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/vegm.gif)

[Eratosthenes]

As others have said, the ability to improv is important. Players will almost always surprise you with how they figure out something. Or in how they can screw things up. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I tend to start with a germ of an idea. Like I want the run to center around a new vehicle prototype. Or the secret dealings of B-list simstar. Or deal-making in the Urban Brawl scene.

Then I figure out what parties would be interested, or would have an angle.

Then I figure out how they could use a runner team to further their interest, be it a smash-n-grab, data steal, bodysnatch, etc.

I try to focus on the motives, and big pictures, and stat up key NPCs and sites (like the office building they'll need to infiltrate).

After the bones are laid out, I work out twists, fun details, and/or complications.

An Example:

I want to work out a simple sabotage mission for new runners. Break into place X, burn it down, and leave. So I need some players.

Crime syndicates are great for this, but simple corporate sabotage works too. So I pick Company A. They're a small local manufacturer of commodity X (in this case, let's say they're shoes; this is a relatively minor detail that can be fun). The new spring line is out soon, and Company B wants to delay the shipments from Company A so they can get their own line out before them. Standard stuff, in the Shadowrun universe. So Company B's going to be hiring some runners to break into the warehouse and destroy the goods.

Complications? Maybe the goods are distributed from several warehouses, meaning the runners have to hit several sites simultaneously. Maybe there was a last minute change, and the goods are already en route. All decent. But I'd prolly go with the actual commodity being vapor-ware: Company A had other problems, and couldn't get the product finished in time, or were doing it to force Company B's hand. So no product actually exists to destroy. This could be good, or bad, for the runners. Maybe they get paid to do nothing. But odds are they'll be in a panic, thinking they screwed up somehow, and need to track down the real product. The runner's reactions are hard to predict here, so some tentative possibilities would need to be sketched out.

Only thing left is to ensure everyone in the group has something to do: the hacker has something to hack, the sam has someone to shoot, the magic has some magical threat to deal with (even if it's a simple ward/watcher/spirit).

And that'd be a simple, straightforward run. And it could lead to more complicated ones: Company B now wants the plans for A's product. Or B wants to extract A's lead designer. Etc.

[Warlordtheft]

To me, one of the biggest adjustments players and GM's from the game that causes cancer have is that Shadow run is not encounter 1 got to 2 go to 3 ect. It is more of a sanbox type game.

Things often go off course or that uber secrete plan-that you thought was so clever, a bright player might figure out. If the PC's do something that make the adventure go from pucker factor 10 to pucker factor 1, let it go. They are just as likely at somepoint to make that pucker factor 1 run go to ten. Also--keep in mind the relationships PC's have with their contacts. That loyalty one contact will be a 3 or higher if you save his life. And don't be afraid to ask for all the PC's contacts and use those as adventure hooks.

[squee_nabob]

5: Have them survive the run, then find their employer ritually slain with a hardcopy flimsy of the team with their eyes cut out and "you're next" written on the ground next to the pic with a piece of the victim's liver. ("Survival" players, let them work out who want them dead, past betrayals, etc. All for a good time:))

Don't do this too often. Characters may become disenchanted with shadow running if they never get paid for it. Money is a poor sole motivation, but if they don’t want to get paid they’d probably just become terrorists/activists/not shadow runners. Also players tend to be proactive about this. I know my group would immediately start with the Spirit searching, data searches, Sleuth Sprites, and Submergence Realm trips to get the drop on who wants them dead. That’s not a reason to not do it, it’s a reason to prepare that information ahead of time.

[CynthiaCM]

This tip may or may not be of much help to you, but I'd recommend taking an episode of the Rockford Files (another similar show should work too) and reimagining it for the Shadowrun setting. Some of my best runs have been crafted this way. It sounds silly, but that show is a gold mine for Shadowrun GMs. Aside from having the core of a great plot already created for you, you also have the benefit of a story structure. This means that there are two less things you have to worry about.

[CanRay]

The TV show "Leverage" is great for stealing "Hooding" 'Runs.

[ravensmuse]

"There are three possibly outcomes to any Shadowrunning scenario: the two the GM comes up with, and the third the players execute."

Winging it is bar none the skill to learn and hone, for any roleplaying game scenario. Your players will come up with the most oddball ideas, and sometimes, they'll be so awesome you can't help but utilize them. Run with it, and you'll never know where you'll end up.

[CanRay]

Four, actually... The three you mentioned, and what really happens in the end.

We really didn't expect things to blow up over the tainted SoyCaff.

[Troyminator]

The TV show "Leverage" is great for stealing "Hooding" 'Runs.

I Love the show Leverage. From the first episode I thought it was Shadowrun, just with a Utopian outlook.

but I'd recommend taking an episode of the Rockford Files

Another show I loved. I rememer (vaguely) watching the originals on TV. (Yes, I'm that old).

Be well!

ps I can't figure out how to use multi-quote

[CanRay]

Manually, as far as I've been able to figure out. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dead.gif)

[phlapjack77]

ps I can't figure out how to use multi-quote

Manually, as far as I've been able to figure out. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dead.gif)

For each post you want to quote, click the "Multiquote" button, then when you're ready to post, click "Add Reply".

[redwulf25]

I Love the show Leverage. From the first episode I thought it was Shadowrun, just with a Utopian outlook.

The first episode my reaction was "Oh my god, they just got screwed over by the Johnson!"

[CanRay]

The first episode my reaction was "Oh my god, they just got screwed over by the Johnson!"

Mine was, "'Run's over, the Johnson screwed them."

[redwulf25]

I Love the show Leverage. From the first episode I thought it was Shadowrun, just with a Utopian outlook.

but I'd recommend taking an episode of the Rockford Files

Another show I loved. I rememer (vaguely) watching the originals on TV. (Yes, I'm that old).

Be well!

ps I can't figure out how to use multi-quote

Manually, as far as I've been able to figure out. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dead.gif)

For each post you want to quote, click the "Multiquote" button, then when you're ready to post, click "Add Reply".

That explains why I wasn't able to get it to work earlier. Most places I've used it you click multiquote on all but the last one and then hit quote on the final one you want to quote.

[Method]

Many people seem to be reiterating that improvisation is essential to creating runs. Maybe we should provide some tips to that end. Here are a few off the top of my head:

-- Know he rules. If there are parts of the rules that you struggle with or don't make sense (ahem... Matrix <cough>) use a limited rule set to start and add things in gradually. An easy way to do this is to stick to the BBB until you have a good handle on the system.
-- Use cheat sheets, GM screens or compiled tables to quickly sort out weird situations as they arise.
-- Create databases of contacts, NPCs, mooks, Matrix systems, locations, maps, ect. Go lurk in the Welcome to the Shadows section for ideas.
-- Steal from your players: sometimes the crazy shit they come up with is better than what you had planned. Just go with it. Also, familiarize yourself with their characters. Know what gear they have, what thier capabilities are, their contacts. Sometimes when things are veering off course you can use a PCs to give you direction.
-- Create a mini-sandbox. You can never predict what your players will do, but if you spend some time fleshing out the immediate setting for the adventure (the corp facility, Stuffer Shack, enemy gang hideout, art museum, etc) you will find that the players can do whatever they want and you will have a quick response. This works best if the area is intrinsically contained (underwater habitat) or otherwise limited in scope.

Anybody have other ideas?

[Abstruse]

Mine was, "'Run's over, the Johnson screwed them."

I just got into the show, so mine was "THIS IS A DAMN SHADOWRUN GAME!! Make Elliot a troll, Parker and Sophie elves, and find some way to shoehorn Fiona from Burn Notice in there to pink mohawk the place up a bit, and it's every friggin' Shadowrun team I've ever played with!!" My second reaction was similar. I've never seen a show that left me cackling as much as Leverage since Burn Notice. Not surprising, I've never seen a show that reminded me as much of Shadowrun since Burn Notice...

Back on topic...ummm...watch a bunch of Leverage and Burn Notice. If you don't get a dozen ideas after a little weekend-long marathon...well, find someone else to GM the game?