Ranged Combat Tactics, Or how to mitigate the lack of IPs Options

[StealthSigma]

I know, I know, it's a cardinal sin not to have extra IPs, but my character doesn't have them and I utterly refuse to buy Wired Reflexes as I've chosen to only use bioware.

So what I'm looking for is thoughts and ideas, given a particular load out how to minimize the impact of having fewer IPs than everyone else in the team.

I'm not concerned in wide open outdoor/urban environments. It's during an infiltration gone wrong that I am concerned. Stat wise I'm looking at an 8 agility on this character with 4 in automatics, and 5 in infiltration. Inquiry for any further relevant stats. The typical weapon/armor load out this character will wear for an infiltration will be a Chameleon Suit with thermal dampening 6 worn over half-body form fitted body armor. Weapon load out would primarily be an Ares Alpha assault rifle configured towards indoor sharpshooting and a P93 Praetor, both weapons also have chameleon coating on them so they don't give away position while used with the chameleon suit.

The lack of extra IPs is definitely a huge detriment as I look at the situation, but I forced myself into it by going bio only. Synaptic Boosters are just too expensive at character creation to justify obtaining. The way I look at it, given my dicepool (15), I will likely be able to take down most opponents with 2 shots that connect, if not one. However, if the single shot doesn't kill an opponent, most opponents will likely be sacked with a -2 or -3 DP wound penalty. These are the two methods of tactics that I am considering employing.

I'm looking at further recommendations of tactics as well as opinion on which of the two tactics I've described would you think is better to use until I can scrounge enough (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) for synaptic boosters.

[Aaron]

My advice would be to get a gun with full-auto. Suppressive fire is actually more useful the fewer IPs you have. Then you can cover a chunk of the battlefield while your teammates deal with the rest. Plus, with your high dice pool, enemies in the area of effect will be hard-pressed to avoid damage.

[DWC]

Keep pumping your edge, since you can spend a point for an extra IP when you really need it. Make liberal use of suppressive fire, since the effect lasts until your action, meaning it will endure though an entire combat turn. Always work with a buddy to cover the guy you didn't have an action to deal with. Max out your recoil compensation, so you can accurately fire 3 short bursts per complex action.

When all else fails, get addicted to Cram or Jazz.

[StealthSigma]

Keep pumping your edge, since you can spend a point for an extra IP when you really need it. Make liberal use of suppressive fire, since the effect lasts until your action, meaning it will endure though an entire combat turn. Always work with a buddy to cover the guy you didn't have an action to deal with. Max out your recoil compensation, so you can accurately fire 3 short bursts per complex action.

When all else fails, get addicted to Cram or Jazz.

Addictions are not an option. My character doesn't treat his body like crap.

Unfortunately our GM has granted everyone a bonus IP for the hell of it, so our base IPs are actually 2, which means suppressive fire less attractive as an option.

[Kerrang]

If suppressive fires does not seem all that attractive for you, the other way to go would be to maximize the damage for each shot fired, and this means Sniper Rifles. The Ares Desert Fox is a good, fairly cheap sniper rifle, but if you want the best of the best, go for the Barrett Model 121 (the availability will make it harder to get at character creation). I would also recommend dropping the SMG and picking up a Slivergun for dealing with softer targets up close. If you really want the SMG, or simply dislike flechette, I would trade the P93 out for an MP5 and load it up with Stick-n-Shock ammo. The MP5 is cheaper and has better RC than the P93, and I doubt you will be needing the 50 round clip which is the primary attraction on the P93.

[Dakka Dakka]

I know, I know, it's a cardinal sin not to have extra IPs, but my character doesn't have them and I utterly refuse to buy Wired Reflexes as I've chosen to only use bioware.

Unless you want to further penalize your character, take Synaptic Boosters, the bioware equivalent of Wired reflexes, instead. A pure Biosam can work well, but then Synaptic boosters are a must-have IMHO.

The other tips are good. If you want to go into melee there are several maneuvers that make extra IPs unnecessary. Two weapon style and riposte come to mind.

[DWC]

The MP5's recoil comp is inferior to that of the P93, because the MP5 uses a R2 gas vent to get it, whereas the P93 has a magical, unexplained, mystical random point of recoil compensation, can still have a gas vent added, and is available with discount electronic firing. Sniper rifles are a poor choice as a primary weapon because of the rough handling rules in SR4A and much like shotguns or the Ares Viper, would require you to switch to a different primary combat skill. The Viper is also terrible against spirits and drones because the damage gets ignored rather than converted to stun if you don't beat the armor value.

Shotguns, sniper rifles and submachineguns are neat, but they all have drawbacks that keep them from competing with a real assault rifle when selecting a primary weapon system.

With the IP inflation, the effects of suppressive fire are reduced, but I do have to mirror the suggestion of switching your secondary weapon to StickNShock.

Getting back to tactical decisions, is this character generally operating alone, out ahead of the rest of his team, or is he moving with the herd?

[deek]

Nice of your GM to give you all a bonus IP.

I'd echo the edge attribute. Always nice to have the ability to use a point and get an extra IP.

I'd also say, for this build, trying to get a surprise round, would be huge.

That's about it...you don't want cyber, you don't want drugs...so your bio and edge are the only other ways to deal with IP. Unless you can find a mage that's willing to boost you magically...

[StealthSigma]

Unless you want to further penalize your character, take Synaptic Boosters, the bioware equivalent of Wired reflexes, instead. A pure Biosam can work well, but then Synaptic boosters are a must-have IMHO.

I said that I felt Synaptic Boosters were too expensive at character creation. They are the first up bioware I am buying, and since we've removed magic from the campaign the DM is giving bioware a 50% discount after character creation, so they'll only be 56k for SB1, and 112k for SB2 instead of 80/160 at creation.

The MP5's recoil comp is inferior to that of the P93, because the MP5 uses a R2 gas vent to get it, whereas the P93 has a magical, unexplained, mystical random point of recoil compensation, can still have a gas vent added, and is available with discount electronic firing. Sniper rifles are a poor choice as a primary weapon because of the rough handling rules in SR4A and much like shotguns or the Ares Viper, would require you to switch to a different primary combat skill. The Viper is also terrible against spirits and drones because the damage gets ignored rather than converted to stun if you don't beat the armor value.

Shotguns, sniper rifles and submachineguns are neat, but they all have drawbacks that keep them from competing with a real assault rifle when selecting a primary weapon system.

With the IP inflation, the effects of suppressive fire are reduced, but I do have to mirror the suggestion of switching your secondary weapon to StickNShock.

Getting back to tactical decisions, is this character generally operating alone, out ahead of the rest of his team, or is he moving with the herd?

The P93 is 2(3). As far as I can tell, the stock is supposed to give the extra point of recoil. 1 Integral, 1 from stock, 1 from electronic firing.
The MP5 is 2(3) as well, it has gas vent 2 and a detachable folding stock.

I tend to choose weapons for coolness factor as much as ability. I love the P90, so the P93 was a logical choice. A sniper rifle indoors may still be more effective for me. I have 5 longarms with a specialization in sniper rifles, and a reflex recorder for longarms. So I got +4 dice over assault rifles when using a sniper rifle. I'm tempted to ask that if I mod this sharpshooting assault rifle to only semi-auto if I could function it on longarms, just not gaining the benefit of my specialization.

I honestly don't know how he will play out during an infiltration. The rest of the group, combat wise, consists of an unarmed maniac, a blade user, and a person that dual-wields pistols, the two melee characters are another reason I am loath to use suppressive fire. Due to his very high infiltration, compared to the rest of his team, and the difficulty in detecting him, I imagine he would be with the group but away from it at the same time, either scouting ahead, hanging back. I can place him anywhere, but I know that when combat occurs he will not be clustered with the rest of the group.

As for stick and shock, my character has his clips filled 50/50 between Explosive and SnS, except for his real sniper rifle which is 50/50 EX-Explosive and SnS.

Nice of your GM to give you all a bonus IP.

I'd echo the edge attribute. Always nice to have the ability to use a point and get an extra IP.

I'd also say, for this build, trying to get a surprise round, would be huge.

That's about it...you don't want cyber, you don't want drugs...so your bio and edge are the only other ways to deal with IP. Unless you can find a mage that's willing to boost you magically...

I've stated earlier that we've removed magic, so yes the only way for me to get more IPs is through edge and bioware. Unfortunately my edge stat is only 4 of a possible 7, and my highest desires for the purpose of spending karma is to raise my automatics to 5 so I can get a specialization (yes I have firearms(4)), and to increase my edge stat. As an aside note, being human grants a bonus +1 to Edge, so my base edge stat is 3. If I improve my Edge via karma, will it cost 12 (3->4) or 15 (4->5)?

[Brazilian_Shinob...]

Addictions are not an option. My character doesn't treat his body like crap.

Unfortunately our GM has granted everyone a bonus IP for the hell of it, so our base IPs are actually 2, which means suppressive fire less attractive as an option.

I know exactly how you feel. My character is an infiltrator with no cyber, just bio. And no extra IP's (he also treats his body like a temple (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif) )
So, as others said. Pump your edge to gain extra passes AND preferably, use a semi-automatic grenade launcher (it doesn't need to be explosive grenades, gas grenades are fine too). Since you will be using it indoors mostly, you add a burst link so the grenade will explode on your current turn and you can benefit from the "multiple waves" effect in tight spaces (of course, be careful where you shoot at).

I've stated earlier that we've removed magic, so yes the only way for me to get more IPs is through edge and bioware. Unfortunately my edge stat is only 4 of a possible 7, and my highest desires for the purpose of spending karma is to raise my automatics to 5 so I can get a specialization (yes I have firearms(4)), and to increase my edge stat. As an aside note, being human grants a bonus +1 to Edge, so my base edge stat is 3. If I improve my Edge via karma, will it cost 12 (3->4) or 15 (4->5)?

Actully none. If you check the last errata, increasing attributes cost new rating x5 now, so you would spend 25 karma to increase from 4 to 5.

[otakusensei]

I love the P90 and have come to appreciate the P93. However my choice weapon is the natural compliment to the P90/P93, the FN Five-seveN/FN 5-7c. Modify it for full auto and you have a highly versatile weapon which shares a skill with your primary weapon but keeps a pistol's profile.

For mitigating IPs I wouldn't worry that much if you have two already. Pump your edge up to around 4 or 5 so you can grab the extra round when you need it and as long as your GM isn't lifting the cap on IPs you should be able to keep up without a booster.

It also might not be a bad idea to invest in a few derms of a carefully selected combat drug. Everyone's luck runs out sometime and you never know when that moment will creep up on you when you really want a second option. For the cost you can't beat a few hits of go juice in a pinch.

[Brazilian_Shinob...]

It also might not be a bad idea to invest in a few derms of a carefully selected combat drug. Everyone's luck runs out sometime and you never know when that moment will creep up on you when you really want a second option. For the cost you can't beat a few hits of go juice in a pinch.

His character won't do drugs (for RP reasons I believe). Although I gotta say, it is really hard to play a "catholic old school" runner...

[otakusensei]

It's not a matter of "doing" drugs. For the vast majority of your career the derms sit in your pack next to that condom you never use. It's there for when the situation gets so sticky that clinging to your ideals gets you killed while a moment of drug fueled super soldiery might just buy you the edge you need to stay free.

Plus it's a great personality thing for a character. Cut and dried morals and codes can be a bit stale. Sometimes playing a bit with the frayed edges of character's ideals and desires can be fun. The idea of a burnout magician might be anathema to a true min/maxer, but they can be an absolute blast to play and make for a really rich and flawed character.

Not that I'm pushing drugs or anything, just story. The vast majority of my character would never mess with the brain benders or the go juice, but a few have fell down that slippery slope.

[McAllister]

It's a lot easier if you drop all your other qualities and take Type O System. Preserve your body's sanctity AND save a bucket on bioware!

[StealthSigma]

His character won't do drugs (for RP reasons I believe). Although I gotta say, it is really hard to play a "catholic old school" runner...

Preserving the sanctity of your own body is a whole different thing from respecting the sanctity of someone else's body. Just because I won't chem up and use bio over cyber doesn't mean I'm not willing to sneak up and grab someone from behind and stick a knife in his back.

[Brazilian_Shinob...]

Preserving the sanctity of your own body is a whole different thing from respecting the sanctity of someone else's body. Just because I won't chem up and use bio over cyber doesn't mean I'm not willing to sneak up and grab someone from behind and stick a knife in his back.

I totally agree with you. My whole "catholic old school" was as a reference for a runner who won't wear cyber nor drugs.
And otaku, I know exactly what you mean. My character is quite tempted on experimenting novacoke for the reaction and perception boost it gives after seeing his addicted cousin using it.

[otakusensei]

Preserving the sanctity of your own body is a whole different thing from respecting the sanctity of someone else's body. Just because I won't chem up and use bio over cyber doesn't mean I'm not willing to sneak up and grab someone from behind and stick a knife in his back.

I had a player once score a hit of Kamekaze that he kept under wraps until later in the campaign. I was nearly as surprised as everyone else when the hacker popped the derm and for a few glorious moments wrapped up the remaining opposition to the party and just barely made it out of the situation himself. I knew for a fact that the player expected his buddies to be toasting his sacrifice that night, but he had just enough to left to pull it off. Of course he was just an opportunist, not someone with with ideals and convictions.

Well, he did have some convictions. But the state had let him out early for good behavior.

[Bignaffer]

i have been worried about this for my upcoming character who will only have one IP. i followed a theme and it left me without the money for synaptic boost which is all that would fit in my remaining essence. i already took born rich for $300,000 and am $25,000 in debt 8(. i was planning on using the "until your next action" stuff like full dodge and suppressing fire.

we didnt get a free IP but our group has worked out the combat system though where your movment is broken up over all the IP(not just the ones you have) and you can move on all IP's. also if you only have 1 IP we dont require it to be used on the first of the round. if you want you can skip the first 2 IPs and use it on the 3rd.

[McAllister]

I had a player once score a hit of Kamekaze that he kept under wraps until later in the campaign. I was nearly as surprised as everyone else when the hacker popped the derm and for a few glorious moments wrapped up the remaining opposition to the party and just barely made it out of the situation himself. I knew for a fact that the player expected his buddies to be toasting his sacrifice that night, but he had just enough to left to pull it off. Of course he was just an opportunist, not someone with with ideals and convictions.

Well, he did have some convictions. But the state had let him out early for good behavior.

Ah! Excellent story, and excellent pun. Well done, sir.

Now, I don't know how well a physical infiltrator can do for him(/her)self with one IP, but if you want to jump into a drone and infiltrate from there (which might be easier, if you pick a really inconspicuous-looking drone) you can get 4 matrix IPs sans cyberware, if you jump in with trodes.

EDIT: 4R and 100 nuYen for a dose of Kamikaze?!? That's absurd! I guess the real price is the one it takes out of your body, 'cause that's easier and cheaper than I assumed it would be.

[otakusensei]

Ah! Excellent story, and excellent pun. Well done, sir.

Now, I don't know how well a physical infiltrator can do for him(/her)self with one IP, but if you want to jump into a drone and infiltrate from there (which might be easier, if you pick a really inconspicuous-looking drone) you can get 4 matrix IPs sans cyberware, if you jump in with trodes.

EDIT: 4R and 100 nuYen for a dose of Kamikaze?!? That's absurd! I guess the real price is the one it takes out of your body, 'cause that's easier and cheaper than I assumed it would be.

Seriously, right? That story hails back to third when it burned a box of your damage track every time you took a hit. You should have seen his face when the player read about K12. I'm just gland the heavier combat drugs are so taboo at my table or else the kids would most certainly not be alright.

Doesn't stop me from picking up a few doses for my character on the off week game. So far he hasn't hit anything harder than Zero (allergies, ya know?) but there's nothing stopping him from deciding to hit the hard stuff if things get tough. It's hard being a hacker, sometimes you wanna be Captain UCAS for a minute and a half. Usually that's all it takes.

[McAllister]

"You're just gland the heavier combat drugs are taboo?" Someone has bioware on the brain.

[Ryu]

also if you only have 1 IP we dont require it to be used on the first of the round. if you want you can skip the first 2 IPs and use it on the 3rd.

That is a good tip, and even possible by the RAW - see delayed IPs (pg. 134 for the German main book). You get some nice options (like going first in the second IP) on top.

[Brazilian_Shinob...]

"You're just gland the heavier combat drugs are taboo?" Someone has bioware on the brain.

Yeah, but bioware is just a "natural improvement" of your body.
We have the technology. Better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster.

[Stingray]

I know, I know, it's a cardinal sin not to have extra IPs, but my character doesn't have them and I utterly refuse to buy Wired Reflexes as I've chosen to only use bioware.

So what I'm looking for is thoughts and ideas, given a particular load out how to minimize the impact of having fewer IPs than everyone else in the team.

I'm not concerned in wide open outdoor/urban environments. It's during an infiltration gone wrong that I am concerned. Stat wise I'm looking at an 8 agility on this character with 4 in automatics, and 5 in infiltration. Inquiry for any further relevant stats. The typical weapon/armor load out this character will wear for an infiltration will be a Chameleon Suit with thermal dampening 6 worn over half-body form fitted body armor. Weapon load out would primarily be an Ares Alpha assault rifle configured towards indoor sharpshooting and a P93 Praetor, both weapons also have chameleon coating on them so they don't give away position while used with the chameleon suit.

The lack of extra IPs is definitely a huge detriment as I look at the situation, but I forced myself into it by going bio only. Synaptic Boosters are just too expensive at character creation to justify obtaining. The way I look at it, given my dicepool (15), I will likely be able to take down most opponents with 2 shots that connect, if not one. However, if the single shot doesn't kill an opponent, most opponents will likely be sacked with a -2 or -3 DP wound penalty. These are the two methods of tactics that I am considering employing.

I'm looking at further recommendations of tactics as well as opinion on which of the two tactics I've described would you think is better to use until I can scrounge enough (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) for synaptic boosters.

1. Take Restricted Gear Quality (5 BP) (Runner's Companion)(When/If Creating Character)
2. Buy H&K Urban Combat SMG (Arsenal)
3. Add Electronic Firing (as accessory), Underbarrel Weight (as Accesessory),skinlink (as Accessory),Improved Range finder (as Accessory)
Chameleon Coating (as Accessory) everything costing 5440 yen (Including gun)
4. Buy Contact Lenses/Classes/Goggles w/smartgun system
Now: Silenced,no range penalties under 40 m,SA/BF/FA, 4 RC, 36 round Clip..Perfect Infilitratior's gun..(IMOO)

[Mäx]

1. Take Restricted Gear Quality (5 BP) (Runner's Companion)(When/If Creating Character)
2. Buy H&K Urban Combat SMG (Arsenal)
3. Add Electronic Firing (as accessory), Underbarrel Weight (as Accesessory),skinlink,Improved Range finder and Chameleon Coating.
everything costing 5440 yen (Including gun)
4. Buy Contact Lenses/Classes/Goggles w/smartgun system
Now: Silenced,no range penalties under 40 m,SA/BF/FA, 4 RC, 36 round Clip..Perfect Infilitratior's gun..(IMOO)

Nice idea, except that gun can't be modifed and the underbarrel weight only helps when firing Full Burts anyway.
But i agree H&K urban Combat is a nice gun, but definedly not worth the Restricted Gear quality.