Question on the Runner's Toolkit, I know its not out, but am really curious... Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Switch to: Outline Standard Switch to: Linear+

[Cardul]

So, I was looking at the sell-sheet for the Runner's Toolkit here: http://catalystgamelabs.com/pdfs/CAT26100_RunnersToolkit.pdf

One line kind of stuck out, the "Also includes 7 new sample characters" thing. I have to ask, is one of these planned to
be a Mystic Adept, or are Mystic Adepts going to continue to be unsupported sample/npc wise?

[Ancient History]

Uh...can't talk about Figh...Runner's Toolkit, but we've had mystic adept NPCs before. Did you have something specific you were looking for?

[Cardul]

Uh...can't talk about Figh...Runner's Toolkit, but we've had mystic adept NPCs before. Did you have something specific you were looking for?

Really? Which sourcebook for SR4? I have all of them...

Basic problem is: I have several players who are newer to the game, and it is easier to show new players a sample
character to get an idea how things can work together. Without sample starting level characters, there is nothing to
show as an example of how to build one. Which is why I am hoping there is at least one sample character in the
Runner's Toolkit that is a Mystic Adept.

[Ancient History]

Okay, sample characters-wise no, haven't had any. Been a couple reasons for that. Ghost Cartels does have a mystic adept NPC or two, I'm fairly certain. I remember statting at least one out.

[Prime Mover]

Tse Ye Mu mystic adept and head of Los Angeles Koshari. Stated out on pg 121 Ghost Cartels.

Sage the heavily scarred mystic adept who leads the Angels is mentioned as a mystic adept but dont think he was statted out.

[Cardul]

Okay, sample characters-wise no, haven't had any. Been a couple reasons for that. Ghost Cartels does have a mystic adept NPC or two, I'm fairly certain. I remember statting at least one out.

Let me guess, the reasons why have boiled down to "New players are not likely to be able to figure them out, so let's
not include sample starting characters for them"? Or is it "We do not want to confuse new players with something in
the core book"? Now, admittedly, before SR4, while they existed, no-one ever allowed them at their tables. But, then
again, no-one allowed Otaku, and yet you have a Technomancer. Personally, I always felt the Arcane Investigator
was a great opening for a Mystic Adept, but you guys made him a full-one magician. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif) Unfortunately, without a
solid example, my experience is that players new to the universe have no example they can use. To me, it makes no
sense to have an actual archetype-level character option in the core book, but then exclude it from the sample characters
everywhere. It is almost like saying that it is not meant for a PC....

[Ancient History]

It has to do more with mystic adepts being introduced late to Shadowrun (in Awakenings) and never having a clearly-defined role...aside from a brief, ill-advised stint as ninjas. How many mystic adepts profiles do you recall in SR2 and SR3?

[Cardul]

It has to do more with mystic adepts being introduced late to Shadowrun (in Awakenings) and never having a clearly-defined role...aside from a brief, ill-advised stint as ninjas. How many mystic adepts profiles do you recall in SR2 and SR3?

They were also not part of the corebook in SR2 or SR3. Otaku were also introduced late, as well, and look! Technomancers(aka Otaku 2.0) are represented.
So, it makes no sense why there would NOT be a Mystic Adept Sample in either SR4A or the Runner's Toolkits seven new samples.

[Omenowl]

I agree with Cardul. It would be nice to have some guidance on building a mystic adept. As a GM astral does bug me a bit so ignoring magicians and instead focusing on mystic adepts is a bit better. I tend to use them where I don't feel like running games in astral space.

[etherial]

Eh, I would strongly caution against playing a Mystic Adept until you've already played a spellcaster.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Eh, I would strongly caution against playing a Mystic Adept until you've already played a spellcaster.

Why? There are less things to actually worry about with a Mystic Adept, assuming he does not take Astral Perception as a Power for the Adept Side... No Wards, No cleansing of Signatures, and no Astral Space at all being three of the biggest, which results in less rules for the character's player to memorize or referrence...

Keep the Faith

[LivingOxymoron]

I played a Mystic Adept for a while that I was quite fond of. He was a retired UCAS Army Special Forces operator. I modeled him after the Green Berets. Basically, he's a guy who was trained to infiltrate behind enemy lines, gather intel, network with local insurgents, manage HUMINT assets, and perform long range recon. I liked the versatility of several adept powers as "always on" (such as sustainence and three dimensional memory), along with detection spells like clairvoyance.

If I can find the sheet, I'll post it here.

They were also not part of the corebook in SR2 or SR3. Otaku were also introduced late, as well, and look! Technomancers(aka Otaku 2.0) are represented.
So, it makes no sense why there would NOT be a Mystic Adept Sample in either SR4A or the Runner's Toolkits seven new samples.

[Jaid]

Why? There are less things to actually worry about with a Mystic Adept, assuming he does not take Astral Perception as a Power for the Adept Side... No Wards, No cleansing of Signatures, and no Astral Space at all being three of the biggest, which results in less rules for the character's player to memorize or referrence...

Keep the Faith

probably because balancing the mystic and adept sides can make your life pretty hard.

possibly also because you're going to want to know what kinds of spells are still useful at a lower force.

[Warlordtheft]

I noticed on the catalyst site that it is going to be released in the 1st quarter of 2010. Adam---is that still the plan?

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

probably because balancing the mystic and adept sides can make your life pretty hard.

possibly also because you're going to want to know what kinds of spells are still useful at a lower force.

That is a solid argument, I can see that...

Keep the Faith

[JM Hardy]

I noticed on the catalyst site that it is going to be released in the 1st quarter of 2010. Adam---is that still the plan?

Probably won't quite make it to stores in the 1st quarter, but it should be at the printers before the quarter ends.

Jason H.

[Penta]

Would it be bad to ask how CGL defines each quarter? I've seen different companies use different calendars - some starting 1Q on Jan 1, some on April 1, some in weirder places.

[Ancient History]

Would it be bad to ask how CGL defines each quarter? I've seen different companies use different calendars - some starting 1Q on Jan 1, some on April 1, some in weirder places.

Make a note to ask, and I'll clue you in on the joke when Corp Guide comes out.

[Penta]

That's never a good thing to hear.

[Ancient History]

If you want the bearer of good tidings, send cookies to Adam.

[JM Hardy]

Would it be bad to ask how CGL defines each quarter? I've seen different companies use different calendars - some starting 1Q on Jan 1, some on April 1, some in weirder places.

For our release schedule, the quarters fit with the calendar year. So 1Q is January-March.

Jason H.

[Penta]

Thanks.(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[wanderer_king]

Ignoring astral doesn't make it go away... it still affects spirits you summon, your foci, and your mana lodge (and you will NEED all of these and more to play a mysAd.)

The biggest use for MysAds I have found it for casting force 1 spells (2 when overcasting), summoning watcher spirits, and buying counterspelling to 6, then improved abiliting it to hell and back (same for Banshiing). MysAds are like a gaint finger to my runner's mages anymore.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Ignoring astral doesn't make it go away... it still affects spirits you summon, your foci, and your mana lodge (and you will NEED all of these and more to play a mysAd.)

The biggest use for MysAds I have found it for casting force 1 spells (2 when overcasting), summoning watcher spirits, and buying counterspelling to 6, then improved abiliting it to hell and back (same for Banshiing). MysAds are like a gaint finger to my runner's mages anymore.

Improved Ability does not work on Magical Skills... See the Description of the Power... Physical, Social, Technical, or Vehicle Skills only...

Page 196 of SR4A

Keep the Faith

[Grexul]

Just a quick question about this, I was on Amazon and found the Runner's Toolkit being offered. Is this the real deal and if so should I buy it?

Grexul