Fun Diversions-Street "Sams", What if Street Samurai weren't "Samurai?" Options

[Degausser]

We all know that Street Sams don't always ascribe to the code of the Samurai. (A.K.A. they don't follow bushido and all.) But that is the first thing everyone thinks of when you talk about a heavily cybered killing machine. Well, just for fun I made a few alternate takes. That is, heavily cybered individuals who don't aspire to be Samurai, but other ancient warriors. Feel free to post your own.

Now, just to be Politically correct, I am not a member of any of these groups, and I got my information from what I remember from "The Deadliest Warrior" (And I take everything I see on there with a tablespoon of salt) and from some quick Wikipedia searches. If You are a member of the culture I show, and I misrepresented you, please feel free to call me out on it and I will apologize and fix whatever I got wrong.

Now, that said:

The Street Apache (Human. Ex member of a NAN government strike team.)
Agl:5(7) Bod:4 Rea:4(6) Str:5(7) Chr:2 Int:3 Log:2 Will:2

Edge:3 Essense:1.5

Phys:10, Stun:9 Int:7 Passes:1(3)

Blades: 5(Apache Traditional +2)
Throwing Weapons: 5(Apache Tradional +2)
Group-Stealth: 4
Survival: 3(Brushland +2)
Automatics: 3
Group-Athletics: 3
Perception 1

*Using Arsenal Rules, the Apache Traditional Specilization applies to Daggers and Tomahawks

Knowledge:
Religions of the NAN:4
Small Unit Tactics: 4
Smuggling outfits: 4
North American History: 2 (Native American)+2

Bilingual: Apachean/English
Martial Arts-Wildcat x2(+1 die to called shots to unprotected areas, +1 die to called shots to increase damage)
-Iaijutsu
Incompetent-Instruction
SINner- Criminal
Allergy- Mild to Seawater

Contacts:
Fixer Loyalty2/Connection3
Street Doc 2/2

225000

Cyber/Bio:
Alphaware Wired Reflexes (Rating 2) 64000, 2.4 essence
Muscle Toner Rating 2 (16,000) .4
Muscle Augmentation Rating 2 (14,000) .4
Orthoskin Rating 2 (60,000) .5
Reflex Recorder, Blades (10000).1
Reflex Recorder, Throwing (10000).1
Reflex Recorder, Automatics (10000).1
DataJack (500) .1
Alphaware Cybereyes, Rating 4 (3000) .4
-Smartlink 1,000
-Low Light 1000
-Thermo 1000
-Vision Enhancement rating 3 (4,500)
-Vision Mag 1000
-Flare Comp 750

Weapons:
Ceramic Knife x10 750 Str/2+1
Survival Knife 50 Str/2+1, -1AP
Cougar Fineblade (Longblade) 900 (Str/2+2, -1AP)
Tamahawk x5, 750 (Str/2+2) Reach 1
Throwing Knife x20 400 Str/2+1
FN P93, W/ Elec firing, and top mount Smartlink(1250)
-200 normal rnds (400)
-5 spare clips (25)

Gear:
Armor Jacket (8/6) 900
Camo Suit (Brushland) 8/6 1200
-Thermal Dampening 5 (2,500)
Outdoor Survival Gear 100
Commlink (Erika Elite running Megadyne Diva) 3,300
-Firewall 6 3000
-Analyse 3 150
(Stats Response 3, Signal 4, Firewall 6, System 3)
Subvocal Mic 50

Fake SIN 4 4000
Fake Licence (Guns) 4 400
Fake Licence (Blades) 4 400

Thundercloud Morgan 7500
Low Lifestyle (1 mo.) 2000

Street Viking (Ork, Norse Fanboy with more (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) than sense. Wishes to become the embodiment of the modern Viking.)
Agl:4(6) Bod:7 Rea:4(6) Str:7(9) Chr:3 Int:3 Log:2 Will:3

Edge:2 Essense:1.68

Phys:12, Stun:10 Int:7 Passes:1(3)

Blades: 5(Viking Traditional+2)
Longarms: 4
Etiquette:3 (Norse+2)
Intimidation: 4 (Physical+2)
Group-Outdoors: 3
Pilot-Watercraft: 3
Perception:2

*Using Arsenal Rules, the Viking Traditional Specilization applies Large European swords and Axes

Knowledge:
Language: Norwegian 4
Language: English (N)
Trid Shows:2 (Action/Fantasy+2)
European History: 4 (Mideval Warriors +2)
European Literature: 1 (Norse+2)

Guts
Quick Healer
Mild Addiction-Alchahol
Incompetent-Hacking
SINner-Criminal

Contacts:
Fixer Loyalty2/Connection3
Armorer (specializing in weapons) Dealer 3/2

225000

Cyber/Bio:
Alphaware Wired Reflexes (Rating 2) 64000, 2.4 essence
Muscle Toner Rating 2 (16,000) .4
Muscle Augmentation Rating 2 (14,000) .4
Orthoskin Rating 2 (60,000) .5
Reflex Recorder, Blades (10000).1
Reflex Recorder, Longarms (10000) .1
DataJack (500) .1
Alphaware Cybereyes Rating 3 2000 .32
-Smartlink 1000
-Low Light 1000
-Vision Mag 1000
-Thermo 1000

Weapons:
Combat Axe 600 (Str/2+4) AP-1, Reach 2
Viking Sword 350 (treat as sword) (Str/2+3) AP-1, Reach 1
Walther MA 2100 Sniper Rifle (5000)
-100 Rnds Ammo 200
-Spare Clips, 25

Gear:
Armor Jacket (8/6) 900
Helmet (+1/2) 100
Riot Shield (+2/6) 200
Outdoor Survival Gear 100

Novatech Airwire Runing Megadyne Diva, 2050
-Firewall 6 3000
-Analyse 3 150
(Stats Response 3, Signal 4, Firewall 6, System 3)
Subvocal Mic 50

Fake SIN 4 4000
Fake Licence (Guns) 4 400
Fake Licence (Blades) 4 400

GAZ Pickup Truck
Mid Lifestyle (3 mo.) 15000

[3278]

Nice idea. I was totally going to criticize your use of "Apachean" for the name of the language - I'd never heard it called anything other than "Apache" or "Southern Athabaskan" - but it turns out you're totally correct. I learned something new today!

One suggestion: there's, like, 15 ways in Shadowrun to reproduce the famed Norse berserkergang; might there be room for one of them on the Street Viking?

[OneTrikPony]

I have nothing to add ATM but...

YANK!

Consider these characters Stolen for my own personal use.

Exclent builds IMHO. Thank you very much and Scooby Snacks to you sir.

[Marwynn]

I like 'em both! Great ideas.

Would an Elven Ranger be too cliche? I mean technically they existed in SR's history in some form right?

Perhaps some sorta Mongol Go Ganger?

[Degausser]

I like 'em both! Great ideas.

Would an Elven Ranger be too cliche? I mean technically they existed in SR's history in some form right?

Perhaps some sorta Mongol Go Ganger?

I could stat up a Mongol Bowman, and make him an elf. The Mongolians had some AMAZING archers.

Hmmm, I'll see what I can find out.

[3278]

Would an Elven Ranger be too cliche? I mean technically they existed in SR's history in some form right?

Well, we were called Beastmasters, but hell yes. Blood Wood produced no shortage of them.

[Degausser]

As promised the "Elf Ranger." who is really a Mongolian Archer. Not so good with the outdoorsy stuff, but REALLY DAMN GOOD with a bow.
I know that no one can touch the Troll's damage with a bow, but the idea here was to get such a freakin' huge dice pool that the extra successes would rack up the damage, and with a DP of 20!!! when shooting that bow, chances are that the archer will hurt someone real bad.

Oh, and on a side note, funny little idea that I incorporated, that might not be clear. See, she has a Morgan, the little two-seater Street Legal Dune Buggy, where the second guy stands up? Know that one? Anyway, she has her pilot program drive for her whilst she shoots arrows and BADDA BING BADDA BOOM, 21st century horseback archery. Hilarious!

Street Archer (Mongolian style)
(Elf)
Agl:6(10) Bod:4 Rea:4(6) Str:5(7) Chr:3 Int:4 Log:2 Will:3
Edge:2 Essense:0.82

Phys:10, Stun:10 Int:8(10) Passes:1(3)

Archery: 6 (Bows +2)
Computer: 3
Unarmed Combat: 3
Pistols: 4
Perception: 1
Group-Outdoors: 2
Group-Athletics: 3


Knowledge:
Language-Sperethiel: Native
Language-English: 3 (Cityspeak+2)
Language-Mongolian: 3 (Ancient +2)
Mongolian Shamanism Religion: 3
European History: 2 (Mongolian+2)

Aptitude: Archery
Martial Arts: Wrestling +1 Subdual Combat
-Iaijutsu
Restricted Gear
Incompetent-Heavy Weapons
SINner-Criminal
Mild Allergy to Pollutants
Spirit Bane: Fire Spirits


Contacts:
Fixer Loyalty3/Connection3
Archaic Armorer Dealer 1/1

225000

Cyber/Bio:
Alphaware Wired Reflexes (Rating 2) 64000, 2.4 essence
Muscle Toner Rating 4 (32,000) .8
Muscle Augmentation Rating 2 (14,000) .4
Reflex Recorder-Archery (10000) .1
Reflex Recorder-Pistols (10000) .1
Datajack 500 .1
Alphaware Blood Circut Control System 30000 .8
Alphaware Skillwires Rating 2 6000 .48


Weapons:
Collapsable Bow (Str 7) (8 dmg) 875
-Laser Sight 100
-100 Normal Arrows 500
-100 Stick-and-shock heads 1300
-30 Hammerhead Arrows 150
-20 Incindiary heads 1100
Sakura Fubuki 2000
-Overhead Smartlink 400
-Personalized Grip 100
-100 rnds 200
-40 rnds Ex explosive 400
-Quick Draw Holster 100

Gear:
Armor Vest 8/6 900
Toolkit-Guns 500
Toolkit-Bows 500
Outdoor survival kit 100
Novatech Airwire Runing Megadyne Diva, 2050
-Firewall 6 3000
-Analyse 3 150
-Command 3 150
-Pilot 3 3000
(Stats Response 3, Signal 3, Firewall 6, System 3)
Subvocal Mic 50
Medkit Rating 6 600
Contacts 50
-Smartlink 500
-Vision Mag 100
-Image Link 25

Activesofts:
-Armorer 3 9000
-Pilot-groundcraft 3 9000

Gold Docwagon Contract (1 year) 25000

Fake SIN 4 4000
Fake Licence (Guns) 4 400
Fake Licence (Bows) 4 400

Thundercloud Morgan 7500
-Adapted for Rigging 2500
High Lifestyle (2 mo.) 20000

[hobgoblin]

i suspect the samurai title is more a holdover from the mirrorshades era of cyberpunk writing (and even then i think the title for the freelance operative was ronin).

basically its a catchall for a muscle man with a bit more sense of honor then a common thug that will beat up their own mother for a couple of nuyen (if you want that, the z-zones are full of gang members).

it may be as simple as not killing in cold blood (tho if the guard pulls out the lethal, its fair game), or as elaborate as bushido or something similar...

btw, i cant help wonder if the samurai have such attraction because it was a warrior system not unlike the european knight, that was still in operation several centuries (tho unraveling) after the european concept had transformed into the gentleman...

[Degausser]

i suspect the samurai title is more a holdover from the mirrorshades era of cyberpunk writing (and even then i think the title for the freelance operative was ronin).

basically its a catchall for a muscle man with a bit more sense of honor then a common thug that will beat up their own mother for a couple of nuyen (if you want that, the z-zones are full of gang members).

it may be as simple as not killing in cold blood (tho if the guard pulls out the lethal, its fair game), or as elaborate as bushido or something similar...

btw, i cant help wonder if the samurai have such attraction because it was a warrior system not unlike the european knight, that was still in operation several centuries (tho unraveling) after the european concept had transformed into the gentleman...

Yes, I know that there are a lot of "Heavily Cybered Individuals" that are called Street Sams even though they have no Samurai Motif. That's not the point. The point is that the book portrays it's street Sams as Samurai. The Sample character from SR3 was a Samurai wanabie, the sample character from SR4 is a Samurai poser . . . I was just thinking it would be fun to do it with other cultures and other ancient warriors. Like I said, just a fun little diversion.

[Metapunk]

Degausser I am writting this just to give you a pat on the back, and to say "damn a nice job with the stuff you are making atm, both these and the other thread with contacts"

one happy Metapunk

[The Stray7]

How about a Street Templar or Street Paladin?

[Marwynn]

I whipped up a rather excessive and not terribly balanced Elven Ranger. The concept is a dual-blade wielding, bow shooting badass. But with military armour and a fair knowledge of modern firepower.

Street Ranger

[ Spoiler ]

Race: Elf
Special: None
Points: 400 BP

Body: 4 (+1 to Physical Damage Resistance, Plastic Bone Lacing)
Agility: 5 (7)
Reaction: 5 (7)
Strength: 5 (7) [10]
Charisma: 3
Intuition: 4
Logic: 2
Willpower: 3
Edge: 1
Essence: 2.0688

Qualities
Restricted Gear (Light Military Armour)
Martial Arts 2 (Krav Maga)

SINner (Standard)
Records on File
In Debt (20000)

Martial Arts
Krav Maga
Advantages: Take Aim Free Action, Ready Weapon Free Action
Maneuvers: Two Weapon Style, Off-Hand Training, Iaijutsu, Riposte

Skills
Athletics Group 2
Outdoors Group 1
Influence Group 1
Firearms Group 3
Stealth Group 2

Blades (Martial Arts) 3 (+2)
Dodge 3
Perception 2
Archery (Bows) 4 (+2)
Heavy Weapons (Grenade Launcher) 1 (+2)

Ware
Tir Ranger Cybersuite
Bone Lacing (Plastic) (Alpha)
Attention Co-Processor (Used Alpha)
Wired Reflexes II (Used Alpha)

Cybereyes Rating 3 (Alpha)
Flare Compensation, Low-Light Vision, Protective Covers, Smartlink, Thermographic Vision, Vision Enhancement 2, Vision Magnification

Muscle Toner 2
Muscle Augmentation 2

Gear
Armour
Light Military Armour w/ Military Helmet (14/12)
Ruthenium Polymer Coating, Thermal Dampening 6, Mobility Upgrade I, Strength Upgrade III, Nonconductive 6, Gyromount

Lined Coat
FFBA Half Body

Weapons
Ares Alpha
Chameleon Coating, Gas Vent 3, Personalized Grip, Thermal Suppressor, Foregrip, Sound Suppressor Accessory

Collapsible Bow (Strength 10)
Chameleon Coating, Laser Sight

Two Vibro Blade Swords
Personalized Grips

Contact
Fixer (1/3)

15,000¥ left for Ammo, Lifestyle, IDs and so on.

[Borbag]

now i'm imagining mongolian go-gangs with speed bikes, uzis, flamethrowers and bolas (bolasses? boli?)
as for samurais, they owe some of their fame due to the beauty that is the katana, a beautiful, elegant sword that can cut a 9 mm bullet. the wielder gets shot with two smaller bullets instead of one large one, and quality of the blade varies greatly, but that's besides my point (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
i also plan to shamelessly steal these characters for my filthy selfish purposes.
btw, when someone says "street sam", i imagine an avarage-joe type of guy with tons of augmentations but none of them are out in the open. think of it as a "sleeper car", tricked out to the max but looks like an avarage stock car.

[3278]

As promised the "Elf Ranger." who is really a Mongolian Archer. Not so good with the outdoorsy stuff, but REALLY DAMN GOOD with a bow.

It's interesting that both "ranger" builds emphasized the weapons possibilities - ranged for yours, dual weapons for Marwynn - but de-emphasizes the "outdoorsy stuff." I don't know what it means, but it's interesting nevertheless!

[Cheshyr]

...tricked out to the max but looks like an avarage stock car.

My troll street sam is about the size of an average stock car...

[Karoline]

I could stat up a Mongol Bowman, and make him an elf. The Mongolians had some AMAZING archers.

Hmmm, I'll see what I can find out.

Mounted Archers = Why the Mongols took over most of the known world (Along with a dozen or more other reasons, all dealing with the Mongols in general or Genghis Khan in particular). You kind of left out the mounted part from your design. Maybe using a bike instead of a horse. That would be sweet. Maybe even talk your GM into some bonus damage for firing at someone as you speed past them.

[Dakka Dakka]

I'd go for ambidexterity instead of Off-Hand Training since this applies only to one melee weapon skill. Ambidexterity gets rid of the off hand penalty for all actions, including melee and ranged combat.

I'm not sure if investing your resources into one suit of MilSpec armor is such a good idea. Muscle toner 4 or MbW II seem a better investment IMHO

How can parts of a Suite be used and others new? Moreover new suites probably receive tighter scrutiny of most GMs than their parts.

What do you need the attention co-processor for? You could get the same effect by upgrading to rating 4 cybereyes and taking a third level of image enhancement.

When the ranger tries to be stealthy, why would he use vibroblades instead of monofilament swords? I know they are more powerful than the monoswords but the humming kinda negates the chameleon coating.

Otherwise a nice idea.

[Karoline]

Street Knight, Street Ninja, Street Fighter (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Street Cowboy, Street Berserker, Street Ronin, Street Bladedancer, Street Gladiator. The list just goes on.

[Cheshyr]

My first attempt at troll street sam ended up playing like Marv from Sin City. Not a bad time...

[Sponge]

You kind of left out the mounted part from your design. Maybe using a bike instead of a horse.

Or convert the bike into a walker if you wanted to be really anachronistic (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Karoline]

Or convert the bike into a walker if you wanted to be really anachronistic (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Hmm... maybe just ride a steel lynx.

[Marwynn]

I'd go for ambidexterity instead of Off-Hand Training since this applies only to one melee weapon skill. Ambidexterity gets rid of the off hand penalty for all actions, including melee and ranged combat.

I'm not sure if investing your resources into one suit of MilSpec armor is such a good idea. Muscle toner 4 or MbW II seem a better investment IMHO

How can parts of a Suite be used and others new? Moreover new suites probably receive tighter scrutiny of most GMs than their parts.

What do you need the attention co-processor for? You could get the same effect by upgrading to rating 4 cybereyes and taking a third level of image enhancement.

When the ranger tries to be stealthy, why would he use vibroblades instead of monofilament swords? I know they are more powerful than the monoswords but the humming kinda negates the chameleon coating.

Otherwise a nice idea.

Thanks.

Ran out of points. I initially had Ambidextrous and Blind fighting but needed to squeeze out some BP.

The suit of Light Military Armour's not that expensive really. The 'ware comes pretty close. Keep in mind that it also boosts Strength by 3, allowing for the Str 10 bow. And it has a Gyromount in there too.

It's not really "used" so much as "budget". The attention co-processor's for hearing, sound, taste and sight and this factor's in the "alertness" if you will of a Ranger. The Wired Reflexes too are bulk/budget models, higher grade but mass produced. Only Bone Lacing isn't used because it's hard to justify that.

The vibroblades don't have to be turned on. Mono-fils are two handed are they not? And he can shoot someone with a bow if he wants to be really quiet.

It's a rough draft, I was kinda all over the place first. I did have the Outdoorsy part in there to start out with, even with Animal Empathy and so on. But it grew and grew into this. Will take a second crack at it when I have the time.

[3278]

Or convert the bike into a walker if you wanted to be really anachronistic (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Hmm... maybe just ride a steel lynx.

Or, you know, ride a horse. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Karoline]

Or, you know, ride a horse. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Good luck finding one in the SR universe.

[3278]

Page 299, SR4a. Page 291, SR4. Page 233, SR2. Page 190, SR1. [Either I'm an idiot, or SR3 left off all the mundane animals. Or both.]

Unless you were saying that for some reason, people wouldn't be breeding horses in Shadowrun, and that seems highly unlikely to me. Now, would you get some odd looks riding a horse around? Sure, but probably no odder than you'd look riding a motorcycle with legs. Would it be illegal in certain municipalities? Possibly; I'm aware of no canon ruling on the issue, perhaps unsurprisingly. Anyway, I know many people who still ride their horses into town to go to the store, and only some of them are Amish; the largest grocery store in the city I went to high school in still has a hitching post.

Your game may vary, but horses are still very much alive in my Shadowrun...although to be fair, I've never seen a runner riding one!