[X] My Assistant

[DireRadiant]

I thought the Bubblegum Rally was going to be on the list. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif)

[ArkonC]

I create a lot more characters than I play, and the ones I create are any race that seems to fit the concept...
But when it comes time to play, I usually go for elves (of elf like) in most RPGs, hell, I even play elves when orks are mathematically very superior and cheaper (like in SR)...

Maybe it's just because I'm tall, slender, graceful and really good looking... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[imperialus]

Although "Race" is technically incorrect, as it is a variation within a species, not a seperate species, it can be and often is used interchangeably with "Species" in common usage. As such, in Shadowrun it can and is used interchangeably with Metatype. In fact, Race is probably closer to Metatype than it is to Species, as the various metatypes are still technically human.

And the context determines the definition being used. So your little thing about the Tour de France is both inaccurate & inappropriate.

My goodness... the things people on Dumpshock find to bitch about.

That said though I tend to gravitate towards humans on account of their versatility. I also like using cyberlimbs so the idea of paying twice for the same enhancement bugs me. That said though my favorite PC was a Troll so they come in close second.

[ElFenrir]

I'm kind of in between humans and elves.

From a gameplay standpoint, they are both versatile. They can basically be anything-from powerful mages to staggeringly good melee guys(Elves get the Agility bonus, and having the Charisma bonus sorta lets you play with more BPs in the other stats, minmaxy, but yeah, it works. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) ) They fit in well most places; it's easy to go human-looking with an elf if you want. In the game world, they both suffer a little less stigma than the rest(normally.)

From a fluff standpoint, I dunno. I guess I'm going to be completely shallow here and say I like my martial-artist prettyboys. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

To be fair, though, I have played, and enjoyed, all races at some point or another. So when I have my humans and elves up front, the others aren't that far behind for me, at all.

And I notice now the poor dwarves are in the back. I kinda figured they would be, not many folks like playin' the little guy. I do find 'em fun now and again. I more or less play with ''Ok, I have this concept...what race would be cool?''

And for the record, I find myself playing less-combat oriented orks and trolls much of the time; the combat guys I tend more toward the human/elf. I guess I've seen too many stereotypical wussy elves and big, hit-stuff trolls that I like subverting it as much as I can.

[Sweaty Hippo]

I like Orks; I think that they're cool. That, and the Gunslinger Adept picture is sexxxy! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/love.gif)

[Kyoto Kid]

Where's the option for drop bear???

...excellent question.

[WildBill]

I voted Human, because I always seem to encounter people who only play elves, or only play orks or trolls, because of the advantages or the way elves are viewed as superior. It's nice to show that the baseline can still be just as good.

[fool]

i have to say that I've played all the races listed here, and enjoyed them all. That said, it depends on what the character is supposed to do. Are they supposed to be a tough guy, I usually go with the racist stereotype..troll, orc, dwarf. are they supposed to be a smooth talker.. elf. versatile, human etc etc.

[Rajaat99]

Orks are my favorite.
Elves, my most hated.

[Herald of Verjig...]

Elves, my most hated.

You may want to reconsider your pic then.

[ElFenrir]

Ok, I gotta ask. Not trying to derail here.

But...why the Elf hatred? Is it because they have their own nation(s)? Or is the the IE thing?

Do you think, if, say...Dwarves had two nations and were immortal, they would be the hated race? If it were Trolls, or even Orks?

Is it because attractive races are automatically hated by most? I mean, remember in Shadowrun, people can take on many looks-it's not like the fantasy game. There are, I'm sure plenty of ugly elves, just like I've seen pictures of orks and trolls that are actually pretty attractive by human standards. (Hell, ive seen some canon elf pictures that don't look any better or worse than anyone else-some look damn scary, in fact. I tease about my trenchcoat prettyboys above, I know if I wanted to I could make a really attractive ork or play and elf that fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch.)

Was it the IEs that left the bad taste in folks mouths? I'd blame whoever decided to invent them, not the poor elves. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)

I'm just curious, to be honest. Not trying to start flame wars or anything; again, while I like humans and elves, I dig all the races, in the end.

[Fortune]

They're all just jealous! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Fuchs]

For me, the Tir hype in the earlier editions, as well as the whole IE stuff just sounded far too much like D&D's "Complete book of elves".

[CanRay]

There are, I'm sure plenty of ugly elves, just like I've seen pictures of orks and trolls that are actually pretty attractive by human standards.

Shadowrun: Our Orks are Cuter.

[Stahlseele]

i hate elves because they get boni without mali . . and they get the whole good looking thing and more or less eternal youth . . even the non immortal elves . . and nobody really holds it against them that they are out and out racist pigs but as soon as orks and trolls or dwarves start something like that the whole world is in uproar immediately . . that and elves have the whole better than thou gig going . . i really don't deal well with arrogant people . . let alone a whole race . . even if they are only imaginary . .

[ArkonC]

As I said before, I usually go for elves, in most RPGs, and the Tir-hype and IE bugs the hell out of me, not only does the time line not make sense (as to the founding of the Tir nations), but it just makes it seem like elves are superior...
It is indeed just too D&D...
In SR4, if anything, orks are superior, strong and tough (cheap on BPs), breed like rabits, it's them who should have the manpower to make their own nations...

i hate elves because they get boni without mali . . and they get the whole good looking thing and more or less eternal youth . . even the non immortal elves . . and nobody really holds it against them that they are out and out racist pigs but as soon as orks and trolls or dwarves start something like that the whole world is in uproar immediately . . that and elves have the whole better than thou gig going . . i really don't deal well with arrogant people . . let alone a whole race . . even if they are only imaginary . .

They get overpriced boni, compared to the other races...
And I have yet to play an arrogant elf... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
But yeah, that's the problem, the fluff makes elves seem like charmed ones who can do anything and get away with it...

[CanRay]

Except for the issue that those social traits are only found in the Tir's. You get an Elf from, say, Texas or New York, you know how they'll act?

Like a Texan or New Yorker of the same age group. That's. It.

There hasn't been multiple generations of Elves to even let them know how long they'll live! They know they'll live longer than Orks, but, damn, some Goldfish live longer than Orks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) Trolls, too, have a shorter lifetime, but Trolls that were born are just starting to hit their "Old Age" bit now.

Remember, by 2070, it's been less than 50-years since the Goblinization. And less than 60-years for the Elves and Dwarves started being born (Aside from the rare Spike Baby).

That's not even a human lifetime. Yes, changes happen in a lifetime, but a culture of arrogance at being "Immortally young"? Not yet.

[adamu]

For me it's orks lately. Great bonuses for cheap, yeah, but mostly they are dirty and rough, as opposed to prissy and effete (yes, I am stereotyping, but since these "races" don't exist, hopefully they won't come for me during America's upcoming Cultural Revolution). Also, they got a huge boost role-playing-wise from the whole Or'zet/orxploitation thing.

Of course I could play trolls, but I have a pet peeve about them generally getting off easy in play - I mean, most GMs (including me, I fear) don't really make enough of the fact that the 3-meter behemoths shouldn't be able to fit into a lot of vehicles and some older buildings. They are a tiny percentage of the populace, and mostly disenfranchised - I don't see all buildings being made to have an extra meter of headroom on every floor...What's the penalty for always having to fight hunched over?

As long as I am rambling aimlessly - people rag on elves, but I see them played pretty constantly. Almost every forum or table-top game I am in has at least one in the group, usually several.

But dwarves - been playing 14 years and met ONE dwarf PC. That's probably a BIT below average, but no one can tell me they are not the least played. I just don't think anyone wants to fantasize about being short.

[Stahlseele]

"i ain't short! i am compact damn it!"

[JeffSz]

My only issue with elves is that I've had players who are ALWAYS elves...no matter what system they play, if they can be an elf, they are an elf.

In the games I run, I limit the number of Elf NPC's, to the point where they seem as rare as Trolls. That way when a player decides to make an Elf character, I'm not sick of them anymore (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

Forget that in D&D, I always ALWAYS played a half-elf bard or rogue... always.

[ornot]

I don't have a favourite, although I don't tend to play Trolls, as I don't normally go for the big hard hitter.

Dwarves are seriously under-rated, which is a shame, and Orcs are an amazing deal in terms of BPs for Attributes. Elves I quite like, despite the poor deal they get in SR4. It's pretty much swapping 1 Edge for low light vision, and a higher charisma and agility cap, which pales compared to the free points of strength and body the other metatypes get for their BP investment. It does, at least, limit occasions where half the team are elves. Now they'll just all be orcs with uncouth, "'cos if my charisma sucks I may as well get all the BPs I can, and sink 'em into combat". Well, that only happens sometimes.

But I wouldn't go as far as to say I have a favourite...

[Kyoto Kid]

"i ain't short! i am compact damn it!"

...nice one. I'll have to borrow that line for Kat Markova sometime. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)

[Cantankerous]

Trolls baby, what else?

I love the dichotomy you can create with these huge guys and breaking down the prejudice barriers with them. It's for this reason that I tend to go for the most brutish appearance with them possible, with no 3rd edition plus smoothing of the skin, give me my trolls lumpy and ...trollish.


Isshia

[Mickle5125]

In most games I've played, I've needed gunbunnies who can sneak and talk their way out of things... they don't need to be able to tank for the most part because the enemies weren't as accurate... so elves have been my favorite.

However, humans and trolls come a close second and third respectively, simply because the buildpoints and extra edge are nice, but there're just some times when you need to build something that can take a shotgun blast to the chest and laugh.

[Kingmaker]

Trolls baby, what else?

I love the dichotomy you can create with these huge guys and rip apart the prejudice barriers with their trolly fists.

Fixed.

I usually play humans or elves. One of the funnest groups I ever played with had three elf PCs: my guy (a former Catholic paramilitary from Tir Na Nog), an orthodox Jew from Israel, and a Tir Na Nog path mage. It created an interesting group dynamic.