New player building an Adept Options

[DMK]

So, I'm a long-ago Shadowrunner who played a bit of 2nd Ed., and bought 3rd & 4th without ever actually playing either. An online acquaintance is starting up an IM based game, so I dusted off an Adept I made when I first got the 4th Ed. BBB.

A couple of notes: #1: I don't like mixing Adepts with Augmentation, I'm quirky that way. #2: The ST decided to only allow us 20 BPs of negative qualities, not 35. #3: For the time being, only the BBB is allowed, so no stuff from other sourcebooks.

I'll put the sheet behind a spoiler thing, for simplicities sake. I'm just looking for some constructive criticism. If I've missed something obvious, I'd like to know about it.

[ Spoiler ]

Matto Tzimshin
Race: Human Age: 25 Height: 6' Weight: 165 lbs
Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown

Attributes:
Body: 3 Agility: 5 Reaction: 5(6) Strength: 3
Charisma: 2 Intuition: 5 Logic: 2 Willpower: 3
Initiative: 10(11) Initiative Passes: 2 Essence: 6
Edge: 2 Magic: 6

(265 BP)

Skills:
Unarmed Combat(Martial Arts): 7(9) Perception: 4
Stealth Group (Disguise, Infiltration, Palming, Shadowing): 4
Pistols(Semi-Autos): 3(5) Negotiation(Sense Motive): 2(4)
Gynastics: 3 Climbing: 1

(118 BP)

Qualities: Adept, Astral Chameleon, Fast Healer, Sensitive Neural Structure,
Sensitive System

(0BP)

Contacts:
Joe Tallfeather, Street Shaman (Loyalty 4, Connection 1)
Bobby (No last name), Small-Time Fixer (Loyalty 3, Connection 3)

(11 BP)

Gear: (6BP)
Ares Predator 4 with Silencer (has built in Smartlink)
9 Spare Clips
300 Gel Rounds
300 Regular Ammo Rounds

Armor Jacket with Non-conductivity Rating 4

Renraku Sensei Commlink with Iris Orb OS, Subvocal Microphone & Skinlink

Contact Lenses with Imagelink & Smartlink

Fake License Rating 4

Fake SIN Rating 3

Earbuds with Audio Enhancement 3 & Select Sound Filter 3

Break & Enter tools: Autopicker Rating 6, Maglock Passkey Rating 4,
Maglock Sequencer Rating 4, Cellular Glove Molder Level 3,
Miniwelder, Monofilament Chainsaw, Wire Clippers

1 Month Low Lifestyle
DocWagon Contract: Basic

Adept Powers:
Improved Reflexes 1
Vision Enhancements: Low-light, thermographic, flare compensation
Audio enhancements: Sound damping
Killing Hands
Improved Ability (Unarmed Combat) 2
Critical Strike 4
Combat Sense 1



COMBAT:

Hand-to-Hand Attack Dicepool: 14
Hand-to-Hand Damage Value: 6(P or S as wanted)
Hand-to-Hand Defense Dicepool: 14
Full Defense (Gymnastics Defense) for Hand-to-Hand: 17

Surprise Dicepool: 12

Ares Predator Dicepool: 12
Ranged Defence: 7
Ranged Full Defense (Gymnastics): 10
Armor: Regular Ammo: vs. Ballistic Gel Rounds: vs. Impact
Damage Value (Regular Ammo) 5P Armor Piercing (Regular Ammo): -1
Damage Value (Gel Rounds) 5S Armor Piercing (Gel Rounds): +1

Damage Resistance Pool (Ballistic): 11 (Before AP)
Damage Resistance Pool (Impact): 9 (Before AP)

Stun Damage Track: 10
Physical Damage Track: 10

[cryptoknight]

Since you won't augment your adept... I'd toss Thermographic and Lowlight vision onto those contact lenses or buy a second pair with that. There's too many times where vision can be obscured (via darkness.. or smoke)... granted thermal smoke will still suck... but at least you're working to minimize that.

[Whipstitch]

It probably doesn't fit your vision of the character, but I must say, the sheet is crying out to be an ork.

I came up with a character like this for 1 less bp:

[ Spoiler ]

Metatype : Ork
Adept

Attributes & Special Attributes: 250 bp
Body: 5
Agility: 5
Reaction: 5
Strength: 6
Charisma: 2
Intuition: 5
Logic: 2
Willpower: 3

Edge: 2
Magic: 5
Initiative: 10 (11)
Essence: 6

Active Skills 122 bp
Stealth Group 4
Unarmed Combat (Martial Arts) : 8 (10)
Perception : 4
Negotiation (Sense Motive) : 2 (4)
Pistols (Semi-Automatics) : 3 (5)
Gymnastics : 3
Climbing : 1



Positive Qualities 10 bp
Adept
Astral Chameleon

Negative Qualities +15 bp
Sensitive System

Powers
Improved Reflexes (level 1)
Killing Hands
Improved Ability : Combat Skill (Level 2)
Critical Strike (Level 4)
Combat Sense (Level 1)

11 points of contacts

6 points of gear.

Total: 399 bps

[/spoilers]

Basically, the character loses a Positive Quality (Quick healing), gains a Negative Quality (Weak Immune System) but both of those are largely canceled out by the 2 extra points of Body (which nets you an extra damage box plus lets you slap on more armor as well). He loses a point of magic, but actually hits harder thanks to his now excellent strength and since he's an ork and has a natural vision enhancement, all you really lose out on is the Audio Damper, Flare Compensation and Thermographics-- things that are all easily replaced via goggles and earbuds-- which you can certainly afford thanks to the extra 5,000 nuyen you can get from spending the last bp.

This post has been edited by Whipstitch: Mar 13 2008, 06:59 PM

[Drogos]

If you follow Crypt's advice, grab another level of Combat Sense. Also, see if you can't get your Edge up...I like Edge, it makes me warm and fuzzy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Edit: All Characters cry out to be an Ork (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[WearzManySkins]

You will need to get a copy of Arsenal due the interesting/new Martial Arts Positive Qualities in that publication.

1. I agree and am the same way.

2. That is up to each player and his/her concept for the character, not everyone goes for max qualities.

3. Arsenal has some information that can directly help the character concept.

The Armored Jacket will put your Body 3 over the limit and incur a penalty of -1 Agility and Reaction(page 149) recommend the Urban Explorer Jumpsuit to replace it, just add the Non conductivity rating to it.

For you commlink add firewall 6, and more programs as of now, you have a commlink but no usable software to use it/protect it.

Unless you are going to use Palming and Disguise, do away with the group skills and take the ones you will use.


WMS

[Rasumichin]

All Characters cry out to be an Ork (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Except for spellcasters and faces.
But besides that, yes.
Especially this one.
Close-combat orientation is always...difficult, to say the least.
An ork would fare a lot better at that.

I'd try to increase Edge, too.
It's incredibly useful in game.

[Whipstitch]

And let's face it... if you're a Mystic Adept Combat Mage who exists only to dodge like crazy, go first and sling Power Balls? Well, you probably want to be an Intuition Tradition Ork then too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/silly.gif)

Also, my orks actually tend to be smarter on average than my other metas, since you can boost up their logic to 4 while still having plenty of wiggle room under the 200 bp cap. Whereas with humans I end up choosing between dumb or frail, and frankly, the latter is a lot more likely to get you killed, so logic and strength are the first stats to suffer in a pinch.

[nathanross]

To hell with Orks! Who would really want to be an Ork? Elves on the other hand....

BTW, Welcome DMK. Nice to see someone else who likes playing an adept pure. (Well, besides the skillwires, and the muscle toner, and ...)

[WearzManySkins]

To hell with Orks! Who would really want to be an Ork? Elves on the other hand....

BTW, Welcome DMK. Nice to see someone else who likes playing an adept pure. (Well, besides the skillwires, and the muscle toner, and ...)

Skillwires? Skillwires? We don't need no stinking Skillwires.!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)

Not all wish to maximize their characters, some like to play a concept or idea. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Good On Ya DMK (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

WMS

[nathanross]

Skillwires? Skillwires? We don't need no stinking Skillwires.!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)

Not all wish to maximize their characters, some like to play a concept or idea. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Good On Ya DMK (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I tried hard for so long to resist temptation, but I must say I have finally fallen. My main character Fuku, a elf adept face, succumbed to the dark side, and has already lost 1 essence (datajack, skillwires, clean metabolism) and will soon loose another (muscle toner, enhanced articulation, and nanoware that modifies retina and finger prints).

I still plan on wasting plenty of karma on skills, but I want to have something to cover my electronic ass. It is hard to survive on your own in the Sixth World. Maybe someday Ill be able to play an unaugmented character again, but right now I do not have the willpower to resist.

[Magus]

Skills:
Unarmed Combat(Martial Arts): 7(9) Perception: 4
Stealth Group (Disguise, Infiltration, Palming, Shadowing): 4
Pistols(Semi-Autos): 3(5) Negotiation(Sense Motive): 2(4)
Gynastics: 3 Climbing: 1

DMK: the Specializations do not add 2 the rating, they are a dice pull modifier. You get two extra dice to throw in your dice pool.

So your Unarmed Combat is rank 7 Specialized in Martial Arts ( +2) so your dice pool is increased by 2.
Just a small change in SR4 from SR3 and 2 and 1.

[Kyoto Kid]

To hell with Orks! Who would really want to be an Ork? Elves on the other hand....

...hey, some o' my best compadres have tusks and a better 'tude than those connivin' pointy eared galoots. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)

An Ork would not be a bad idea, but if you already have a vision of who this character is, I'd stick with that.

Personally I too favour the pure adept (and have commented long & vehemently on this).

One thing. Body for an MA oriented adept body is important not only for soak rolls but for how much armour he can wear. With Critical Strike at 4 he could drop his Strength to 3 which would give him a base DV of 6 (basically that of a Ruger Warhawk).

I also agree, drop the improved sense powers buy them as contact lenses/earbuds & get another level of Combat sense or a level of Mystic Armour (stackable with worn armour and no encumbrance penalty - also handy if a meet or legwork takes place at a chic location & you have to pull out your Actioneer suit or other fancy armoured duds).

I would also look at switching Astral Chameleon out for something like Increased Pain Tolerance or Guts particularly if composure rolls come into play (as discussed in another thread).

If he is going to be sort of a B&E specialist, I'd dig up the BPs for Hardware skill. Passkeys are nice & all but not always reliable and if they glitch can set off alarms & such. The sequencer only gets its rating as a DP, with the skill you get Attribute + Skill for your DP (you may want to boost that logic by at least 1 point though). For ops like this more dice are better than less as a glitch or crit glitch can cause things to go south in a hurry.

[DMK]

First of all folks, thanks for the warm welcome. Greatly appreciated.

I realize that this is a sub-par build in a lot of ways. The "weak link" is that I've spent 25 BP for 1 PP, and I've spent that Power Point on Sensory Enhancements.

The thing is, I like having the sensory enhancements. I like the notion that strip this guy of everything, shove him in a dark room, and he's probably going to do ok. Is that worth 25 BP? Nah. I know that. If I wanted to do it more efficiently, I'd use the 25 BP for other stuff and buy Magic 6 with the Sense Enhancements in game for 18 Karma. Or maybe buy another level of Combat Sense while maxing out Critical Strike. It's still fun though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The thing that I love about this guy is that he's subtle. He doesn't look like trouble. Unless you asense him astrally, there's nothing about him to suggest that he hits like a Str 5-6 human using a katana. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) If I could've taken more Negative Qualities I would've bought "Bland" for him. And you can bet that Masking will probably be the first Metamagic he gets.

Whipstitch, I liked your sample ork. I'm well aware of the uberness of the ork: How else can you spend 20 BP to get 50 BP of Attributes plus a vision enhancement? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

WMS, I definitely plan to pick up Arsenal. The thing is, the ST is a beginner and for the time being he just wants to use stuff from the BBB. Which is ok with me, since I'm basically a beginner myself, at least in SR. Your point about the Firewall of the commlink is well taken; it's definitely something I intend to improve in game. I just couldn't justify the cost (3,000 NY) at character generation. So for now, keeping it private with its puny little Firewall 3 will have to do.

I'd really like to thank you for the heads up on the armor. I missed the Encumbrance rules completely. The Urban Explorer does look like the best way to go, given its superior Impact rating.

Magus: I'm aware of the difference. I still use the old style, just to remind myself of the total number of dice I'm rolling. But it's a good point, and something I need to remember.

Kid: Thanks for the thoughts. He already has Strength 3 though. And you probably have a point about the B&E stuff. So many priorities, so few BP...

[Kyoto Kid]

..ah I see now. Hard to decipher with the way the attributes were laid out. that is why I kept looking for where the augmented (6) came from because I saw no Improved Attribute power listed.

For clarity's sake it is better to list everything like Attributes, skills, powers etc on separate lines. Easier to read at a quick glance.

...also apologies for the profuse suggestions as Adepts have tended to be my specialty ever since the 1st ed Grimoire (that is when my namesake character got her start).

[DMK]

So, I've been giving everything a lot of thought, and as a result I decided to tweak the build a bit. The main thing was that the more I thought about it, the more I realized that Magic 6 was a mistake. I just wasn't getting enough bang for that amount of buck. So, I dropped Magic to 5, took .5 less on Improved Ability, dropped Flare Compensation and Sound Suppression, and used the 25 BP I got back for 2 points of Edge, 1 point of Unarmed, and 5,000 more nuyen. The finished sheet is under the spoiler.

[ Spoiler ]

Matto Tzimshin
Race: Human Age: 24 Height: 6' Weight: 165 lbs
Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown

Attributes:
Body: 3 Agility: 5 Reaction: 5(6) Strength: 3
Charisma: 2 Intuition: 5 Logic: 2 Willpower: 3
Initiative: 10(11) Initiative Passes: 2 Essence: 6
Edge: 4 Magic: 5

Skills:
Unarmed Combat(Martial Arts): 7(+2) Perception: 4
Stealth Group (Disguise, Infiltration, Palming, Shadowing): 4
Pistols: 3 Negotiation: 2
Gymnastics: 4 Climbing: 1

Qualities: Adept, Astral Chameleon, Fast Healer, Sensitive Neural Structure,
Sensitive System

Contacts:
Joe Tallfeather, Street Shaman Healer (Loyalty 4, Connection 1)
Bobby (No last name), Small-Time Fixer (Loyalty 3, Connection 3)

Gear:
2x Ares Predator 4 with Silencer & Skinlink (has built in Smartlink)
9 Spare Clips
300 Gel Rounds
300 Regular Ammo Rounds

Urban Explorer Jumpsuit with Non-conductivity Rating 6
-Long coat to wear over the Jumpsuit

Novatech Airlink Commlink with Subvocal Microphone & Skinlink
Response 3, Signal 3, System 3, Firewall 6, Analyze 3, Encrypt 3
-Fedora with a Trode Net

Contact Lenses with Imagelink, Smartlink, Flare Compensation & Skinlink
Earbuds with Audio Enhancement 3, Select Sound Filter 3 & Skinlink

Fake License Rating 4
Fake SIN Rating 3

Break & Enter tools: Autopicker Rating 6, Maglock Passkey Rating 4,
Maglock Sequencer Rating 4, Cellular Glove Molder Level 3, Respirator Rating 6,
Miniwelder, Monofilament Chainsaw, Wire Clippers, Low-light flashlight,
100m Microwire Rope

1 Month Low Lifestyle
DocWagon Contract: Basic

Adept Powers:
Improved Reflexes 1
Vision Enhancements: Low-light, thermographic
Killing Hands
Improved Ability (Unarmed Combat) 1
Critical Strike 4
Combat Sense 1

COMBAT:

Hand-to-Hand Attack Dicepool: 14
Hand-to-Hand Damage Value: 6(P or S as wanted)
Hand-to-Hand Defense Dicepool: 14
Full Defense (Gymnastics Defense) for Hand-to-Hand: 18
Full Parry for Hand-to-Hand: 21

Surprise Dicepool: 12

Ares Predator Dicepool: 10
Ranged Defence: 7
Ranged Full Defense (Gymnastics): 11
Armor: Regular Ammo: vs. Ballistic Gel Rounds: vs. Impact
Damage Value (Regular Ammo) 5P Armor Piercing (Regular Ammo): -1
Damage Value (Gel Rounds) 5S Armor Piercing (Gel Rounds): +1

Damage Resistance Pool (Ballistic): 9
Damage Resistance Pool (Impact): 9

Stun Damage Track: 10
Physical Damage Track: 10