Help me create a party of pre-made characters!, Lousy GM and newbie players. Options

[SpasticTeapot]

Edit: added question.

I'm running a game of Shadowrun for the school gaming club. After a total of five hours of mass confusion which was not helped by having one book for six people, I've given up on having the players create their own characters.

However, as a largely inexperienced GM, I'm not sure what I should give the PCs in the way of abilities, gear, contacts, et cetera. (I'm currently cramming the altogether badly written matrix rules into my puny mind.), or even whether I should make them "standard" PCs or stick to a lower-power setting. As such, I beseech the Dumpshock community to help me create a party of PCs. The players have a few ideas, but feel free to completely ignore them at your lesiure.

-Hermetic combat mage.
-An elfStreet samurai. (Should've mentioned the elf part earlier - player preference.)
-Fire-support adept gunbunny.
-A drone rigger with strong build/repair skills
-A pixie. (You read that right...sadly.)
-A technomancer

Remember - balanced, not broken.

Thanks!

[ElFenrir]

I'll do the sam. I love sams.

Do we need names, etc? Like, FULL characters with a paragraph or two of background?

I'll take a bit to crunch it out. 400 BP, normal RAW?

[SpasticTeapot]

I'll do the sam. I love sams.

Do we need names, etc? Like, FULL characters with a paragraph or two of background?

I'll take a bit to crunch it out. 400 BP, normal RAW?

I'm not sure what normal RAW is, but the character build is the standard 400BP.

Some of the players are either very lazy or very new to roleplaying - a full background would be fun.

Remember, for my sake, to please not make them too overpowered.

Thanks!

[ElFenrir]

I'll go easy. I'll post one up for ya in a few, and if you want me to take anything back(or add anything), it's cool.

Are we using Augmentation, Arsenal, etc?

[DrZaius]

Rocks

Metatype : Troll
Mundane

Attributes
Body: 10 (14)
Agility: 3 (5)
Reaction: 2 (4)
Strength: 9 (11)
Charisma: 2
Intuition: 1
Logic: 1
Willpower: 3

Edge: 3
Initiative: 5
Essence: 0.9

Knowledge Skills
English : N
Sports (Urban Brawl) : 2
Gangs (Gang Identification) : 1
Bars : 2

Active Skills
Climbing : 3
Gymnastics : 3
Running : 3
Swimming : 3
Automatics : 2
Longarms : 2
Pistols : 2
Unarmed Combat (Martial Arts) : 4
Dodge : 3
Etiquette (Street Gang) : 1
Intimidation (Physical) : 1
Survival (Urban) : 1
Perception : 1
Inflitration : 1
Shadowing : 1


Cyberwares
Wired Reflexes (Rating 2)
Dermal Plating (Rating 2)

Biowares
Bone Density 4
Muscle Augmentation 2
Muscle Toner 2
Platelet Factories

Weapons
Ruger Super Warhawk
Laser Sight
6x Regular Ammo (10 shots)
2x Speed Loader
AK-97
Laser Sight
Shock Pad
Gas-Vent 3 System
19x Regular Ammo (10 shots)
Stoner Ares M202
Gas-Vent 3 System
Shock Pad
Gyro Stabilization
20x Regular Ammo (10 shots)
10x Tracer (10 shots)
Survival Knife

Armors
Clothing (Cheap)
Armor Jacket
Helmet (Regular)

Vehicles
Harley Scorpion (Chopper)

Commlinks
Commlink : Meta Link
OS : Vector Xim
Subvocal Microphone

Equipments
Earbud
Fake Sin (Rating 4)
Standard Rope (per 100 m)
Trauma Patch
Medkit (Rating 6)

Contacts
Fixer "Bossman" (L:2 C:4)
Bartender "Friend?" (L:3 C:1)

Contacts
Street Doc "Sawbones" (L:3 C:1)
Local Gang Leader "Tiny" (L:2 C:2)


Made this guy a while ago; just a standard trog; dumb as a post, but can get hit with a train and be fine. Not sure if you need a troll, but this one would probably be considered "low-powered", given what I've seen these boards produce (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) Might want to get rid of the machine gun and gyro-mount if you don't want him to knock down a city block though.

-DrZaius

[Stahlseele]

RAW is RULES AS WRITTEN
if you wanna start lower, just take alook at the mundane thread, good enough for a quick game of low life punks with no magic, cyber or bio

[sunnyside]

A pixie. You have a female in your group? And is this an Earthdawn thing, or have you not even heard of earthdawn.

Also as general advice for a new GM you might want to start out someplace like the Barrens of Seattle where they can mess up a bit without you having to call the metroplex guard on their heads.

Also for everyone. Try and make the characters able to do a range of things. In my games I require at a minimum that everyone have decent stealth and some skill/contact network they can use for legwork/recon/something like that. If you have retarded characters who can only shoot things you'll generally cause the players to also be retarded.


Also do yourself a serious favor and stick to the core book for now. For a first new purchase I suggest street magic because the more elaborate rules they have for wards and the rules for background count are just rules that should be in use in a game.

[SpasticTeapot]

A pixie. You have a female in your group?

How'd you guess?

It was either that or a vampire. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohplease.gif)

[DireRadiant]

Shadowrun Missions

Stick to the 400 BP to start.

And I really recommend the templates for a first session, with the understanding when everyone is familiar with the rules they can make new characters or adjust later.

And, in case of books... FREE Quick Start Rules FREE .. Includes Food Fight!

[ElFenrir]

Ok, I'm going to put in the one elf I did in the other thread for mundane, only if he had cyber. Since most of his background was already made, Ill be a little lazy there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) Here is the Street Samurai. I copied the background and changed a few little things.

[ Spoiler ]

Sariel Garan
Elf Male, 24 years old
Long, black hair, blue eyes
1.95 meters, 95kg
Street Name: Azel

Sariel is a fairly young elf with a calmness usually not seen in someone of his age. In frightening physical shape-tough, lightning fast and strong as an ox,he is as magical as a rock-much to his chagrin, but he does have chrome. He can take people down in numerous ways-whether it's with his no-dachi or his fists and feet. He is very skilled with varied types of firearms, as well. He was born to a rich and distant family who ended up on the wrong side of some Big, Important people, and when he got involved to defend them, he ended up killing the man who was sent with his bare hands, and then he had people after him, as well, so to the underground he went. He's usually seen wearing loose cargos, heavy, steel-capped boots, hardened gloves and a black armored jacket. He takes pride in his body and his abilities, carrying himself with an air of danger. More street-smart than book smart, he's quite wise to the ways of the sprawl.

He's stealthy, knows how to take care of himself socially, and has a few ties to the underworld, where he picked up his 'ware. He works sometimes as a bodyguard, bouncer, or just hired muscle-he can be a rather scary fellow. He's not above going a bit far in a fight, but he's damn good at cleaning up his tracks afterward. He does try to keep himself calm, however; sometimes his ultraviolent trids get it out of his system, and recently he's taken an interest in reading up on magic and the occult, keeping his mind busy with other things. He had a bit of a problem with BTLs at one point, so it left him a little shaky in the mind, but he seems to do well enough with resisting them these days. He's more proficient with his bare hands than a blade, but he's taken quite an interest in swordplay as well lately, the katas being almost relaxing to him. He likes his cyber implants...but can't quite understand why his body won't take these new, top of the line, nano-technologies. Perhaps he'll figure it out sometime.

There was also that girl...the one who could speak to machines(read: technomancer.) He got along with her so well. Human, too. He never thought he'd love a human, but...it happens. He never did find out what happened to her. He looks. He tries, anyway. If something happened to her, he might well be a little angry. If it was something he did...he'd probably get over that.

His street name came from his uncanny resemblance to one of the rather crazy demon-man fraggers in this one particular ultraviolent trid. He doesn't mind the reference.

+ Qualities(15)

Savate/Muay Thai Level 2(+2 DV)
Carromeleg Lv. 1(+1 Surprise Attacks)

- Qualities(30)

Scorched(+5)
SINner(+5)
Allergy/Mild/Sun(+10)
Nano Intolerance(+5)
Lost Loved One(+5)


Attributes(200 BP + 20 BP Edge)

Body: 4[+2 dmg]
Agility: 5[7]
Reaction: 4[6]
Strength: 5[7]
Charisma: 4
Intuition: 4
Logic: 2
Willpower: 3
Edge: 3
Initative: 8[10]/1[3]
Essence: 1.6

Active Skills(126 BP)

Pistols(Semi-Automatics): 4(+2)
Automatics(SMGs): 3(+2)
Unarmed Combat(Martial Arts): 5(+2)
Blades(Swords): 2(+2)
Athletics Skill Group: 1
Intimidation(Mental): 2(+2)
Etiquette(Street): 2(+2)
Perception(Visual): 2(+2)
Infiltration(Urban): 3(+2)
Pilot Ground Craft: 1

Knowledge/Language Skills(18 free)

Local Area Knowledge: 3
Ultraviolent Trid: 2
Magic Background: 1
Occult: 2
Safehouse Locations: 3
Martial Arts History: 2
Shady Underground Clubs: 2

English: N
Sperethiel: 3

Maneuvers(4 BP)

Kick Attack
Finishing Blow

Resources(30 BP, 150,000 nuyen)

Implants:

Wired Reflexes 2(Alphaware)-64,000
Ceramic Bone Lacing-22,500
Muscle Augmentation lv. 2-14,000
Muscle Toner lv. 2-16,000
Synthacardium lv. 2-20,000
Smartlink-1,000
Thermographic Vision-1,000
Flare Compensation-750

Contacts:

Fixer: C4 L3
Bartender: C1 L1

Gear: (30,750 left)

Nodachi-2500, 8P, +2 Reach, -2 AP
Hardliners: 100(200 if you allow boots as well), +1 DV Unarmed(total unarmed DV 9P)
Colt America L36(Light Pistol, Smartlinked): 300, w/30 rounds EX-EX ammo: 300, 3 clips: 15
Ares Predator IV: (Heavy Pistol): 450, w/60 rounds regular(120), 60 gel(180), 60 Ex-Ex(600), 12 clips-60
AK-97 Carbine(SMG, Smartlinked): 800, w/ Gas Vent 3(400), 120 rounds regular(240), 120 rounds gel(360), 8 clips-40
Cougar Fineblade Long-6P, -1 AP, 900

Armor:

Armor Jacket: 900(8/6)
Forearm Guards/Shin Guards: 350(0/2)
Real Leather Jacket(Long Jacket, used for nice places): 300(0/2)

Gear:

Sony Emperor Commlink/Redcap Nix OS, Skinlink and Subvocal Mic: 1200
Survival Knife-50
Survival Kit-100
Climbing Gear-200
Fake Licences, 2 at rating 4(cyberware, firearms): 800
Fake ID Rating 4-4,000
Contacts w/ Vision Enhancement 3: 350
Earbuds w/Audio Enhancement 3:310
1,000 of Simsense
Medkit rating 4/2 refills: 500
100m rope-50
2 rating 4 antidote patches: 400
Stim Patch rating 4-100

Lifestyle: Middle Lifestyle(1 month): 5,000
Thundercloud Contrail Motorcycle: 5,000

1,925 nuyen remaining.

EDIT: I already used the Arsenal MA rules, but if you don't want them in there, I can change it.

Whew! Well, he does quite a few things, and I don't *think* he's uber-overpowered. He does have healthy die pools, but he's a combat bunny, and they can run a little decent. I think he turned out pretty well, all told. He only has one well-connected and decently loyal contact, however, but at least he has the bartender as well. He has stealth, combat, social skills, and doesn't seem like a one-trick pony.

His Athletics Group looks low, but with his high Body and Strength(and Reaction for Gymnastics Dodge), and the Synthacardium, he does plenty well here(11 dice for Agility/Str athletics and a base 9 for reaction+ athletics.)

Hope you like him! He ended up changing a bit background-wise from the version I posted in the other thread, but I think he works well like this.

[Wasabi]

I'd suggest soliciting these forums for someone who can share some 'canned modules' from Gencon and Dragoncon. The better written ones include backgrounds and character tie-ins along with a module that will utilize their abilities.

I'd also consider sticking strictly to RAW. Unlike most other RPG's SR has a pretty solid base ruleset and doesn't require optional rules to work. Most (if not all) GM's tweak things for their style and group but until you have a solid vision of the game world and rules mechanics in the canon books I'd stick to RAW.

[ElFenrir]

Well, stuff like Arsenal and Augmentation give some nice little options. Well, they are official books, at least. We always pick up the new books as they come out, but, well, that's us. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

EDIT: I did a version of my guy for you just incase you don't use the optional rules, too.

[ Spoiler ]

Sariel Garan
Elf Male, 24 years old
Long, black hair, blue eyes
1.95 meters, 95kg
Street Name: Azel

Sariel is a fairly young elf with a calmness usually not seen in someone of his age. In frightening physical shape-tough, lightning fast and strong as an ox,he is as magical as a rock-much to his chagrin, but he does have chrome. He can take people down in numerous ways-whether it's with his no-dachi or his fists and feet. He is very skilled with varied types of firearms, as well. He was born to a rich and distant family who ended up on the wrong side of some Big, Important people, and when he got involved to defend them, he ended up killing the man who was sent with his bare hands, and then he had people after him, as well, so to the underground he went. He's usually seen wearing loose cargos, heavy, steel-capped boots, hardened gloves and a black armored jacket. He takes pride in his body and his abilities, carrying himself with an air of danger. More street-smart than book smart, he's quite wise to the ways of the sprawl.

He's stealthy, knows how to take care of himself socially, and has a few ties to the underworld, where he picked up his 'ware. He works sometimes as a bodyguard, bouncer, or just hired muscle-he can be a rather scary fellow. He's not above going a bit far in a fight, but he's damn good at cleaning up his tracks afterward. He does try to keep himself calm, however; sometimes his ultraviolent trids get it out of his system, and recently he's taken an interest in reading up on magic and the occult, keeping his mind busy with other things. He had a bit of a problem with BTLs at one point, so it left him a little shaky in the mind, but he seems to do well enough with resisting them these days. He's more proficient with his bare hands than a blade, but he's taken quite an interest in swordplay as well lately, the katas being almost relaxing to him. He likes his cyber implants...but can't quite understand why his body won't take these new, top of the line, nano-technologies. Perhaps he'll figure it out sometime.

There was also that girl...the one who could speak to machines(read: technomancer.) He got along with her so well. Human, too. He never thought he'd love a human, but...it happens. He never did find out what happened to her. He looks. He tries, anyway. If something happened to her, he might well be a little angry. If it was something he did...he'd probably get over that.

His street name came from his uncanny resemblance to one of the rather crazy demon-man fraggers in this one particular ultraviolent trid. He doesn't mind the reference.

+ Qualities(5)

Guts(5)

- Qualities(20)

Scorched(+5)
SINner(+5)
Allergy/Mild/Sun(+10)



Attributes(200 BP + 20 BP Edge)

Body: 4[+2 dmg]
Agility: 5[7]
Reaction: 4[6]
Strength: 5[7]
Charisma: 4
Intuition: 4
Logic: 2
Willpower: 3
Edge: 3
Initative: 8[10]/1[3]
Essence: 1.8

Active Skills(132 BP)

Pistols(Semi-Automatics): 4(+2)
Automatics(SMGs): 3(+2)
Unarmed Combat(Martial Arts): 5(+2)
Blades(Swords): 2(+2)
Athletics Skill Group: 1
Intimidation(Mental): 2(+2)
Etiquette(Street): 2(+2)
Perception(Visual): 3(+2)
Infiltration(Urban): 3(+2)
Pilot Ground Craft(Wheeled): 1(+2)

Knowledge/Language Skills(18 free)

Local Area Knowledge: 3
Ultraviolent Trid: 2
Magic Background: 1
Occult: 2
Safehouse Locations: 3
Martial Arts History: 2
Shady Underground Clubs: 2

English: N
Sperethiel: 3


Resources(30 BP, 150,000 nuyen)

Implants:

Wired Reflexes 2(Alphaware)-64,000
Aluminum Bone Lacing-15,000
Muscle Augmentation lv. 2-14,000
Muscle Toner lv. 2-16,000
Synthacardium lv. 2-20,000
Smartlink-1,000
Thermographic Vision-1,000
Flare Compensation-750

Contacts:

Fixer: C4 L3
Bartender: C1 L1

Gear:

Katana-1000, 7P, +1 Reach, -1 AP
Hardliners: 100(200 if you allow boots as well), +1 DV Unarmed(total unarmed DV 9P)
Colt America L36(Light Pistol, Smartlinked): 300, w/30 rounds EX-EX ammo: 300, 3 clips: 15
Ares Predator IV: (Heavy Pistol): 450, w/60 rounds regular(120), 60 gel(180), 60 Ex-Ex(600), 12 clips-60
AK-97 Carbine(SMG, Smartlinked): 800, w/ Gas Vent 3(400), 120 rounds regular(240), 120 rounds gel(360), 8 clips-40
Survival Knife-5P, -1 AP, 50

Armor:

Armor Jacket: 900(8/6)
Real Leather Jacket(Long Jacket, used for nice places): 300(0/2)

Gear:

Sony Emperor Commlink/Redcap Nix OS, Skinlink and Subvocal Mic: 1200
Survival Kit-100
Climbing Gear-200
Fake Licences, 2 at rating 4(cyberware, firearms): 800
Fake ID Rating 4-4,000
Contacts w/ Vision Enhancement 3: 350
Earbuds w/Audio Enhancement 3:310
1,000 of Simsense
Medkit rating 4/2 refills: 500
100m rope-50
2 rating 4 antidote patches: 400
Stim Patch rating 4-100

Lifestyle: Middle Lifestyle(1 month): 5,000
Yamaha Rapier: 6500

575 nuyen remaining.

This version has a couple more skills higher due to no maneuvers, and since Ceramic Bone lacing is on Augmentation, I gave him Aluminum. The changes overall gave him extra nuyen, which I converted to a couple BP to specialize his ground craft. Not too much different, but the above one has a few more cool options, like the martial arts. Background is the same, though. Keep the lost loved one in there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[sunnyside]

Oh. And I just looked through the full list. Are you sure about the technomancer? It makes for a lot more rules and a lot more judgement calls on your part. Plus a lot more rolls. The character will also be BP starved and have other issues.

In short I consider the TM to be more of an "advanced" option. Which is annoying because the fluff likes to sell them as a bit more carefree.

I'd suggest a hacker. Soooo much easier on you and them. Especially since if you balance the skills and programs (pretty standard) you have a situation where you know that if they want to do anything relating to hacking or the matrix they roll, say, 11 dice, no matter what it is.

I could do a hacker for you if you'd like. Just let me know any other preferences you might have for them (male/female etc etc) I could also throw in some "making the matrix easy" advice.

[Wasabi]

...if they want to do anything relating to hacking or the matrix they roll, say, 11 dice, no matter what it is.

This really is a fantastic suggestion. TM's rely on Sprites so they play like a pet class to use an MMO term. A hacker is much better for newer players.

[Cain]

This should help: Sample Character Archive.

They're loosely based on the book archetypes, but have been better-optimized and tend to be actually good at what they do.

[ElFenrir]

-An elf Street samurai. (Should've mentioned the elf part earlier - player preference.)

Heh, I just saw that after I posted the characters. I had made him an Elf already. I'm a mind-reader, what can I say. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)