Few Helpful suggestions needed Options

[Reklawyad]

Just got back from a game and I have a few questions. I am currently a cookie cutter Covert Ops Specialist, Minus all the Gear, but still have the Cyberware. Basically I was brought in after the other guys had started the previous week so my character has all her stats and cyberware, just no gear as it was lost on the previous job.

My first question is that with this build, is there a way to increase the Initiative Passes I have at all? I see that the Reaction Enhancers help with my Reaction, but the passes have no increase. I have looked in the main book but the only items I am finding say they don't work with other Initiative enchantments, any suggestions on what I can buy or acquire to help me with this?

Through Karma or another means, can this character ever become an Adept?

I see in the rules if you have a Skill Group, exp Firearms, then you want to put a point in just Pistols you then have to split the group up, what if I have Pistols and want to buy the Firearms group, will the Pistols be forced down to 1, or would they all be bought and Pistols would just increase by one?

Thanks a lot ahead of time.

[Muspellsheimr]

Wired Reflexes & Synaptic Boosters both increase Reaction and Initiative Passes (both BBB augmentations). Reaction Enhancers stack with all other forms of Reaction increases, but do not indirectly affect initiative, and so have no problems with Wired or Synaptics. Move-By Wires are basically Wired on speed, if you have access to Augmentation.

Combat drugs can increase your passes, as well as numerous other benefits, but typically have some nasty side-effects when they wear off, in addition to the risk of addiction.

You may use a point of Edge to gain a single extra pass in the current turn.

You can theoretically become an Adept after character creation, but it would require powerful house-ruled magic effects, such as high-end corporate test/research spells, magical surges, ect. But by the BBB, you may only take an awakened quality or technomancer at character creation.

[Aaron]

My first question is that with this build, is there a way to increase the Initiative Passes I have at all? I see that the Reaction Enhancers help with my Reaction, but the passes have no increase. I have looked in the main book but the only items I am finding say they don't work with other Initiative enchantments, any suggestions on what I can buy or acquire to help me with this?

The only way for you is through money. Wired reflexes or synaptic boosters are the usual choice, but for a cheaper alternative, try buying some Jazz poppers, or for extra style, Jazz-laced cigarettes.

Through Karma or another means, can this character ever become an Adept?

The short answer is no. The long answer is yes, if your GM allows you to purchase the Adept quality for 10 Karma, you can have a late awakening.

I see in the rules if you have a Skill Group, exp Firearms, then you want to put a point in just Pistols you then have to split the group up, what if I have Pistols and want to buy the Firearms group, will the Pistols be forced down to 1, or would they all be bought and Pistols would just increase by one?

As the kids are saying these days, FAQ you.