Biker Adept Options

[Ol' Scratch]

No, I glanced at the FAQ... and the quality... I believe it only allows you to get basic "bioware".

You're going to have to quote that. Neither Genetic Heritage, Transgenic Modification: Animal Feature, nor the God-awful FAQ make any such claim. The FAQ even mentions Symbionts in reference to one of the types that could be considered, which are specifically treated as Cultured Bioware (Augmentation p. 70).

[Falconer]

I had Symbionts and Symbiotes confused. Symbiotes are treated as basic bioware in the BBB.

Though to quote the FAQ.
"The exact limitations of what is and what is not available are up to the gamemaster; as a rule of thumb for gamemasters out there: if it's in the animal kingdom already (echolocation, gecko thumbs, gills, etc.) it's probably fair game. More exotic implants like chemical glands for synthetic drugs, false front, and symbionts are a little more iffy..."

IE: it's completely up to the GM's call... and they even caution against custom made parasites. And I don't think ANY GM is going to give Synaptic 3 for only essence with the use of a 10BP quality and no nuyen!


Quite frankly.. the whole thing is a little bit of a question.
Read the quality it never mentions bioware anywhere... only one "genetic modification". I always consider this to be a piece of geneware... it's only in the FAQ that they say that yes this genetic modification could also include bioware.

Quote:
"Can you use Genetic Heritage to take bioware as a transgenic modification?

Yes, with the gamemaster's approval.

Don't know what we're talking about? See here." <-- links to the above quote. So yes it is completely up to the GM.


I'll have to ask Muspellsheimr or someone else. I may be confusing Type-O but I could have sworn I remembered someone citing somewhere that Bioware and Cultured Bioware and handled slightly differently as regards that quality and others.

[Ol' Scratch]

I'm not disagreeing that it's iffy (and personally I find it kinda lame), but as written it's perfectly okay to get cultured bioware as well as standard.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

I'm not disagreeing that it's iffy (and personally I find it kinda lame), but as written it's perfectly okay to get cultured bioware as well as standard.

Indeed... And it is very cheesy, but perfectly legal...

Not that I can't figure out a character or two using this tactic, but I feel kinda cheap using it...

Keep the Faith

[Dakka Dakka]

Enhanced Articulation is something which is generally shunned by the more powergamers (they prefer things like synthacardium for a huge increase to gymnastics and the like). But it's pretty good for what it does... +1 dice to ALL physical skills linked and used w/ physical attributes. IE: melee combat, dodge, manually driving a bike, shooting a gun, stealth tests (agi + infiltration), etc. But it's decent for a well rounded player.

That is not true. As you said it give a bonus to Physical Skill linked to Physical Attributes. Dodging and attacking are Combat Skills and so the bonus does not apply. P. 124 f. of SR4A tells us which skills are Physical Skills.

[Zyerne]

I guess I'm thinking SR2, I always used it for combat skills back then.

Worked up a new version - junked the Active Skill specialites, added some bioware, changed the negative qualities and powers

[ Spoiler ]

Metatype : Ork (20 BP)

Attributes (230 BP)
Body: 6
Agility: 4(6)
Reaction: 5
Strength: 5
Charisma: 3
Intuition: 3
Logic: 2
Willpower: 4

Edge: 1
Magic: 5(4)
Initiative: 8/1
Essence: 5.2

Active Skills (132 BP)
Close Combat : 4(5)
Etiquette : 3
Negotiation : 2
Dodge : 2
Longarms : 4
Pistols : 2
Perception : 2
Automotive Mechanic : 3
Pilot Ground Craft : 6(9)
Intimidation : 1

Knowledge Skills (15 Free points - 5 unspent)
English : N
Sports (Combat Biking) : 2
Seattle Go Gangs : 3
Magic Background (Path of the Adept) : 1
Street Drugs : 2

Qualities (+20 BP)
Adept
Fame (5 - Combat Biking)
Gearhead (5 - Contrail)

Addiction, moderate
Sensitive System
Simsense Vertigo

Powers (0.5 remaining)
Attribute Boost : Strength (1)
Improved Ability : Pilot Groundcraft (3)
Combat Sense (2)
Quickdraw

'Ware and Gear (24BP)

Muscle Toner 2
Trauma Damper
Reflex Recorder (Unarmed Combat)

2 T-250 Short w/ laser sight
SPAS-22 w/ laser sight
Fake SIN (4)
5 Fake Licenses (4)
Low Lifestyle - 1 month
Vehicle shop

10k allocated for melee weapons, armor, ammo etc

Contacts (14BP)

Edit: Is Clubs (Mounted) a reasonable specialisation?

[Dakka Dakka]

Worked up a new version - junked the Active Skill specialites, added some bioware, changed the negative qualities and powers

As far as I can see you have only one IP Ths is not good even worse for a mounted combattant. You need one complex action to avoid crashing.

Edit: Is Clubs (Mounted) a reasonable specialisation?

While it is not RAW, I would allow it. Just remember (war) lances would be blades or exotic melee weapons.

[Zyerne]

Re IPs, he'll be using combat drugs until he can afford synaptic accelertors.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

As far as I can see you have only one IP Ths is not good even worse for a mounted combattant. You need one complex action to avoid crashing.
While it is not RAW, I would allow it. Just remember (war) lances would be blades or exotic melee weapons.

Why exactly would a lance be a bladed weapon (They really would be just a big and bulky spear used from a mounted position)... they are not generally... though I could get on board that they may be exotic weapons in 2070+

Keep the Faith

[Zyerne]

Is Inertia Strike any good?

It would fit with the 'unhorsing" concept but is it useful in a more normal melee situation?

[Dakka Dakka]

Why exactly would a lance be a bladed weapon (They really would be just a big and bulky spear used from a mounted position)... they are not generally... though I could get on board that they may be exotic weapons in 2070+

Exactly because a lance is like a spear. According to Arsenal (p. 16) a spear is a bladed weapon.
Interestingly enough all other polearms are exotic weapons according to the BBB (p. 315) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/silly.gif)

Inertia strike is interesting since it is one of the few (maybe even the only one) powers that work with weapons as well. Knocking someone down is always good, so enhancing that chance is good as well, unfortunately you need high strength for it to be really effective. Without it you need to do 10 Boxes of damage to guarantee knockdown, at STR 5 only 8.

[Edit]I just found out Inertia Strike is even better. Even If you do less than boxes, doing as much as the target's BOD knocks it down as well.[/Edit]

[Falconer]

I see exactly what you mean.. now it makes a lot more sense why enhanced articulation isn't used more.

Climbing*, Diving, Escape Artist, Gymnastics*, Infiltration*, Palming*, Parachuting, Running*, and Swimming*


The vast majority of them are in 2 skill groups (stealth or athletics), So you're better served w/ a reflex recorder or synthacardium. One of these days, I'll actually be able to play a street sam and learn all these ins and outs. (I normally pick last and end up the party mage since that's the unfilled role).

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Exactly because a lance is like a spear. According to Arsenal (p. 16) a spear is a bladed weapon.
Interestingly enough all other polearms are exotic weapons according to the BBB (p. 315) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/silly.gif)

Inertia strike is interesting since it is one of the few (maybe even the only one) powers that work with weapons as well. Knocking someone down is always good, so enhancing that chance is good as well, unfortunately you need high strength for it to be really effective. Without it you need to do 10 Boxes of damage to guarantee knockdown, at STR 5 only 8.

[Edit]I just found out Inertia Strike is even better. Even If you do less than boxes, doing as much as the target's BOD knocks it down as well.[/Edit]

But you forget... A spear has an actual metal blade on it... a Lance does not... so it is LIKE a Spear, but is more akin to clubs... I still go with the flavor of an Exotic Weapon, but if I had to choose between clubs and blades, the Lance would be a club...

By the rules, if you do Damage equal to someone's body stat, they fall down anyway (Inertia Strike just makes it more likely), and if you can inflict 10 boixes or more in a single hit, they also fall down automatically (I would generally say that most people who take 10 boxes are knocked down because their body is less than 10 anyways)...

Keep the Faith

[Falconer]

Tymeaus:
I'd say just use a quarterstaff. Use it like a 'blunt'. (remember they only used the sharp lances in actual battle, not when jousting). Then use the clubs skill like normal. Or he can grab a 2x4 in a tight spot.

If he uses a spear, then the blades skill like normal. There's no reason to overcomplicate things here that I can see. And war lances DID have metal tips placed on them. Wood would not hold a point capable of running through armor.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Tymeaus:
I'd say just use a quarterstaff. Use it like a 'blunt'. (remember they only used the sharp lances in actual battle, not when jousting). Then use the clubs skill like normal. Or he can grab a 2x4 in a tight spot.

If he uses a spear, then the blades skill like normal. There's no reason to overcomplicate things here that I can see.

I am in complete agreement here... I was just responding to the "What would a Lance Be" discussion... And "War Lances" were "Pointed" but still not generally made from metal (Way to damn heavy, and wood was heavy enough), and momentum and inertia would tend to drive a pointed wooden lance through the armor worn by knights, assuming the rider did not knock the lance away first...

Keep the Faith

[Zyerne]

The Combat Biker rules linked earlier say that the lance used is blunt tipped and can be used as per jousting or as a staff. Sticking with clubs seems easiest.

Taking specialization [Mounted] or [Bike] or whatever allows to bonuses to both common combat biker weapons, the other being a mace.

I can then take [Swords] or somesuch as a Blades specialization and get a machete as a weapon focus. I'm not sure I fancy risking a fragile and expensive focus as a mounted weapon.

Edit: Also ran up a Formori version. Loses a point of Cha, a point of Close Combat (offset by reach) and the Fame qualitiy, gains +2 Body/Str and the other Formori benefits.

[ Spoiler ]

Metatype : Formori (45 BP)

Attributes (220 BP)
Body: 8
Agility: 4(6)
Reaction: 7
Strength: 5
Charisma: 2
Intuition: 3
Logic: 2
Willpower: 4

Edge: 1
Magic: 5(4)
Initiative: 8/1
Essence: 5.2

Active Skills (132 BP)
Close Combat : 3(4)
Etiquette : 3
Negotiation : 2
Dodge : 2
Longarms : 4
Pistols : 2
Perception : 2
Automotive Mechanic : 3
Pilot Ground Craft : 6(9)
Intimidation : 1

Knowledge Skills (15 Free points - 5 unspent)
English : N
Sports (Combat Biking) : 2
Seattle Go Gangs : 3
Magic Background (Path of the Adept) : 1
Street Drugs : 2

Qualities (+25 BP)
Adept
Gearhead (5 - Contrail)

Addiction, moderate
Sensitive System
Simsense Vertigo

Powers (0.5 remaining)
Attribute Boost : Strength (1)
Improved Ability : Pilot Groundcraft (3)
Combat Sense (2)
Quickdraw

'Ware and Gear (24BP)

Muscle Toner 2
Trauma Damper
Reflex Recorder (Unarmed Combat)

2 T-250 Short w/ laser sight
SPAS-22 w/ laser sight
Fake SIN (4)
5 Fake Licenses (4)
Low Lifestyle - 1 month
Vehicle shop

10k allocated for melee weapons, armor, ammo etc

Contacts (14BP)