 Perfered SR3 chargen, Sort of a final verdict |
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 Dec 1 2005, 03:47 PM
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#1
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Decker on the Threshold  Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 2,922 Joined: 14-March 04 Member No.: 6,156  |
So, yeah, which one do you like the most, use the most, or like to defend most ?
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Dec 1 2005, 03:59 PM
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#2
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 257 Joined: 25-May 05 Member No.: 7,414 |
I use the points system almost exclusively, but on the rare occasion we play a high powered magical campaign I use Becks so Karma can be used on Foci, Spirits, Initiation, etc. at chargen.
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Dec 1 2005, 04:15 PM
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#3
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Freelance Elf Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 7,324 Joined: 30-September 04 From: Texas Member No.: 6,714 |
Points, baby. Every time.
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Dec 1 2005, 04:42 PM
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#4
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Mystery Archaeologist Group: Members Posts: 2,906 Joined: 19-September 05 From: The apple tree Member No.: 7,760 |
Points, rulez. Crap I agree with critias!! Thats hardly normal
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Dec 1 2005, 05:02 PM
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#5
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,328 Joined: 28-November 05 From: Zuerich Member No.: 8,014 |
I voted other - build your character how you envision it, and get GM approval.
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Dec 1 2005, 05:17 PM
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#6
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Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,070 Joined: 7-February 04 From: NYC Member No.: 6,058 |
I voted for points.
Priority lacks flexibility, especially when you consider how character generation options have grown due to all the available supplements. On the downside, point buy makes it easier to twink and min-max, but I think it's worth the trade off. |
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Dec 1 2005, 05:43 PM
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#7
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 257 Joined: 25-May 05 Member No.: 7,414 |
Yeah, flexibility = opportunity for abuse
GM approval is always required. |
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Dec 1 2005, 05:53 PM
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#8
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Manus Celer Dei Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 17,006 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Boston Member No.: 3,802 |
That's a tradeoff? :D ~J |
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Dec 1 2005, 06:46 PM
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#9
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,453 Joined: 17-September 04 From: St. Paul Member No.: 6,675 |
Points. Variable and in the "core" books. Meaning I own it, of course.
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Dec 1 2005, 06:51 PM
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#10
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Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,070 Joined: 7-February 04 From: NYC Member No.: 6,058 |
Spoken like someone who plays a rigger. :P |
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Dec 1 2005, 06:53 PM
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#11
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Midnight Toker Group: Members Posts: 7,686 Joined: 4-July 04 From: Zombie Drop Bear Santa's Workshop Member No.: 6,456 |
There are some builds that come out better using Sum-to-10 than they do Points. The real mini-maxer makes the same character using all possible methods and keeps the one that comes out with the best stats.
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Dec 1 2005, 07:05 PM
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#12
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 257 Joined: 25-May 05 Member No.: 7,414 |
See Capt. Dave |
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Dec 1 2005, 09:40 PM
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#13
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Bushido Cowgirl Group: Members Posts: 5,782 Joined: 8-July 05 From: On the Double K Ranch a half day's ride out of Phlogiston Flats Member No.: 7,490 |
True for some. I have some pretty extreme min-maxers in my group who sometimes scoff at my characters with only 2d6 initiative, no Expertise edge, No unarmed Combat 8 skill with 4 maneuvers (OK, KK has Kung Fu at 8 but she is also a 200+ Karma Adept now), and not packing a Panther Assault Cannon. or Force 6 Powerball with a Power Focus 4. I also love it when my Leela, Lana Lane, or Violet is the one who pulls the team's fat out of the fire. But I digress... Being an old Champions (another game that stressed character concept) junkie though I found the build point system to allow for a lot more variation while still remaining fairly simple. For some characters I have even used skill BPs to purchase additional Knowledge & language skills, something the Priority system does not accommodate. |
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Dec 1 2005, 09:46 PM
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#14
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 993 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 313 |
I prefer BECKS, but then I also have the time to sit at work and crunch out a character. It allows for even more min maxing than points, but it also lets you put together more of a generalist.
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Dec 1 2005, 09:55 PM
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#15
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Great, I'm a Dragon... Group: Retired Admins Posts: 6,699 Joined: 8-October 03 From: North Germany Member No.: 5,698 |
I prefer the point-based system as it is very flexible.
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Dec 1 2005, 10:57 PM
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#16
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Free Spirit Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,944 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Bloomington, IN UCAS Member No.: 1,920 |
You can use skill points for any skills under the Priority system, same as BP. I like BP so that edges and flaws do not have to equal, and it is the only canon way that allows it. |
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Dec 1 2005, 11:29 PM
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#17
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Resident Legionnaire Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 2,136 Joined: 8-August 04 From: Usually Work Member No.: 6,550 |
Hell, I just use whatever system will give me the most bang for my buck for the character idea I have.
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Dec 2 2005, 12:58 AM
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#18
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,168 Joined: 15-April 05 From: Helsinki, Finland Member No.: 7,337 |
I likes the Becks i have to say. Versatile, pretty well balanced, just takes some time.
My favorite aspects of Becks are: Resource allocation. I love how you have a whole lot of resource options. Seems to generate more well rounded characters. By making those general 6's really cost you(30 karma if your attribute was equal, usually ended up a little more), I found more folks going for a well rounded 3-4 skillset, saving the big numbers for those one or two defining skills. Probably offered the most in flexibility. I don't outright hate the other methods...I started and was weaned on Priority, so i felt that worked well...my main problem there were the huge resource differences(from the million, to 400 g's, to 90gs...). BP helped that a little bit at least. BP is my second favorite, under Becks, due to flexibility. Sum to 10 i wasn't really into. You could crunch out a disgusting mundane human cyberbeast with that one, and that's all it seemed people did(occationaly playing a 'mundane metahuman.) I havn't played that low/high thing...what does that do, exactly? Heh, one 'other' one ive heard of some people doing....with HIGHLY trusted groups...is 'put down what you think your character has'. That's it. With a trusted group, no one munchkins their characters out suprisingly. This method is NOT recommended for munches to say the least. |
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Dec 2 2005, 01:44 AM
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#19
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 164 Joined: 7-July 03 Member No.: 4,891 |
Actually, on certain kinds of munchkins it can be enormously effective. There seem to be two kinds: those who enjoy exploiting a particular ruleset, and those who enjoy being as powerful as possible. A subtle distinction, but munchkins from the first group, if they grasp the concept, can create thoughtful and interesting characters in a freeform system.
I picked the priority system, but they're good for making different kinds of characters. |
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Dec 2 2005, 01:48 AM
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#20
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 626 Joined: 1-March 04 Member No.: 6,112 |
What is 'MJlBB low/high', anyway?
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Dec 2 2005, 02:10 AM
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#21
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Decker on the Threshold Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 2,922 Joined: 14-March 04 Member No.: 6,156 |
It's sort of a variant on the BP and Priority systems, from Mr. Johnson's Little Black Book. The only difference is it changes a few of the BP/priority values for low- and high-powered campaigns. |
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Dec 2 2005, 02:32 AM
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#22
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 143 Joined: 28-August 05 Member No.: 7,631 |
My Shadowrun group uses BeCKs. It's got fexibility, but discourages mix-maxing with the increasing costs of skills and attributes. And using Karma means that things cost the same whether you get them at chargen, post-chargen or in game. None of that "Why get Unarmed Combat 4 and Ettiquette 2 when I can get Unarmed Combat 6 (a thirty Karma value) and buy Ettiquette for cheap?" stuff.
It's handy to have the NSRCG if you're using Becks, tho. Having a computer keep track of karma costs saves on the hassle of number crunching. |
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Dec 2 2005, 03:35 AM
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#23
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Great Dragon Group: Members Posts: 7,116 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 1,449 |
For pure flexibility, I think the Point Build system is the best. The beauty of it is that you can tailor it to meet the power level of your campaign, and adjust the costs if you want to encourage or discourage certain choices. MJlBB might make the point system even better, but I don't have that book, so I can't say.
BeCKS is fun to use, and personally I think that parts of the SR4 character generation system were very strongly influenced by it. I like being able to buy incremental resources, or start out with a guy who is low in resources but has, say, 10 contacts and 50 spell points. However, it is not quite as flexible as the point build system for certain types of characters such as shapeshifters or otaku, so it gets edged out. |
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Dec 2 2005, 04:30 AM
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#24
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Chrome to the Core Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,152 Joined: 14-October 03 From: ::1 Member No.: 5,715 |
Build Points, usually using Blackjack's (?) modified money system. (Each BP netting you so much nuyen at each 5 points.)
Priority doesn't allow enough customization, and BeCKs takes far too long. |
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Dec 2 2005, 08:07 AM
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#25
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Free Spirit Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,944 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Bloomington, IN UCAS Member No.: 1,920 |
I agree. I even think the changes they made were only to keep from having to credit the guy. Most of the complaints I hear about the SR$ chargen could have been fixed by using the Becks approach for chargen and improvement. |
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