 Sprawl Ganger, Urban Brawl, anyone? |
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 Sep 4 2009, 11:35 PM
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Moving Target  Group: Members Posts: 155 Joined: 20-August 09 From: Fridley, MN, USA Member No.: 17,522  |
All right, as some of you may have noticed, I've been cranking out better and more fleshed out versions of a lot of the archetypes and asking for the board's feedback on them. I eventually compiled all of those with some story, but that's neither here nor there... I was looking at the remaining archetypes in the BBB, and there's one that I like the spirit of, but have no clue where to start executing.
So now it's your turn. I'd like to see how you guys would build a more viable, more rounded version of the Sprawl Ganger from the BBB - someone who's a simple brute in combat, and who has the skills necessary to survive on the gangers' streets. I'm in need of inspiration, and I figured that this'd be the best place to get it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) |
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Sep 5 2009, 09:14 AM
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Great Dragon Group: Members Posts: 7,116 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 1,449 |
QUOTE (DarkKindness @ Sep 4 2009, 04:35 PM)  I'd like to see how you guys would build a more viable, more rounded version of the Sprawl Ganger from the BBB - someone who's a simple brute in combat, and who has the skills necessary to survive on the gangers' streets. Actually, the archetype as presented does a good job of the latter. I rag on the archetypes, but some of them are fairly well-crafted and self-consistent, and this is one of them. The only problems are: the firearms group doesn't make that much sense for someone more likely to use his fists than a gun (not completely implausible, but doesn't mix well with the next quality that I mention, and why give him skill in all guns, then just give him a pistol? Why not a cheap SMG at least?), the uneducated negative quality doesn't quite fit (it is more suited for back-to-nature luddites or feral barrens rats), and despite his low allotment of cyberware, wired reflexes: 1 is cheap and available enough to justify getting it. But the character still works as a brawler who also has the skills needed to survive on the streets - running, survival, intimidation, etc. Ryu did a version of the ganger in the Sample Characters thread that is similar to the book's, but addresses the (relatively few) problems that I had with the book archetype. The trouble with the "brute in combat" approach, though, is that a sprawl ganger only makes sense as either a lightly cybered character, or an adept. And both types will get chewed up by a heavily cybered character or an adept with some bioware. So they are basically second-best at something that they have made their main schtick. If you are going to do a ganger, they work better as survivalists (someone who can guide the runners through the dangers of the Barrens), semi-face types with lots of friends in low places, or a mix of the two. I will see if I can put something together along those lines, who can still function moderately well in combat. |
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Sep 5 2009, 07:59 PM
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 155 Joined: 20-August 09 From: Fridley, MN, USA Member No.: 17,522 |
QUOTE (Glyph @ Sep 5 2009, 04:14 AM) Actually, the archetype as presented does a good job of the latter. I rag on the archetypes, but some of them are fairly well-crafted and self-consistent, and this is one of them. The only problems are: the firearms group doesn't make that much sense for someone more likely to use his fists than a gun (not completely implausible, but doesn't mix well with the next quality that I mention, and why give him skill in all guns, then just give him a pistol? Why not a cheap SMG at least?), the uneducated negative quality doesn't quite fit (it is more suited for back-to-nature luddites or feral barrens rats), and despite his low allotment of cyberware, wired reflexes: 1 is cheap and available enough to justify getting it. But the character still works as a brawler who also has the skills needed to survive on the streets - running, survival, intimidation, etc. Ryu did a version of the ganger in the Sample Characters thread that is similar to the book's, but addresses the (relatively few) problems that I had with the book archetype. The trouble with the "brute in combat" approach, though, is that a sprawl ganger only makes sense as either a lightly cybered character, or an adept. And both types will get chewed up by a heavily cybered character or an adept with some bioware. So they are basically second-best at something that they have made their main schtick. If you are going to do a ganger, they work better as survivalists (someone who can guide the runners through the dangers of the Barrens), semi-face types with lots of friends in low places, or a mix of the two. I will see if I can put something together along those lines, who can still function moderately well in combat. Thanks for the feedback, Glyph. Couple of things - I should've been more clear when I said 'brute in combat'. I didn't necessarily mean a combat monster, but I definitely want someone who's a capable combatant. More the point there, though, was that I'm looking for a character that approaches combat in a brutish way - simple weapons, simple strategies. Someone who sticks to baseball bats, crowbars, knives, their bare knuckles, and an occasional pistol. Basically, a thuggish approach to combat, I guess. I also think that the skill set that they bring is important, and can see what you're driving at with the skill sets that you suggest - I agree that those are necessary in order to make the ganger a viable contributor to a team. All that said, this has definitely given me some food for thought, and I'm eagerly awaiting seeing what you come up with to see if I can pull any additional inspiration from that - thanks a bunch! |
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Sep 7 2009, 11:47 PM
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Great Dragon Group: Members Posts: 7,116 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 1,449 |
Okay, finished my version of the sprawl ganger, the Slick Weasel. The runt of the litter who had to be sneaky, fast-talking, and have some low cunning to survive. I think I met my goal of creating a survivalist/face type who could survive combat, although SR is very unforgiving of skill monkeys and generalists. I also had to remind myself that this guy is a newbie when it comes to running, and not give him things like a fake SIN, a skinlink for his gun, etc. He should learn fast, though, since he has a survivor's mentality.
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