Tanking and playing for the first time (help) Options

[craftomega]

I am wondering, what extra items do I want to take as a tank, like slap patches, drugs?

What kind of stratagy in combat should I use?

Yes I plan on upgrading my edge; I will just have to survive for a few games without it.

Here is my tank.

[ Spoiler ]

ATTRIBUTES
7 Body
5 Agility
7 Reaction
6 Strength
5 Willpower
3 Logic
5 Intuition
3 Charisma
1 Edge

QUALITIES

QUICK HEALER -3
HIGH PAIN TOLERANCEx3 - 21
UNSTEADY HANDS + 7

Skill

6 Unarmed
1 Pilot Ground Vehicle
3 Sneaking
5 Automatics
3 Gymnastics
4 Perception

N English
2 Or’zet
2 Mr. Johnson
4 Security Procedures
2 Safehouse Locations
2 Sociology
2 Psychology
2 Biology


Augments

Bone density Aug x3
Muscle augmentation x2
Owner License
Muscle toner
Owner License
Synaptic booster
Owner License
Cybereyes (Flare compensation, Low-light vision, Smartlink, Thermographic vision, Vision magnification )
Symbiotes
Sleep regulator
Datajack

Items

COMMLINKS Renraku Sensei
1 fake SIN
Subvocal mic
Micro-transceiver
Survival kit
Gecko tape gloves
Rappelling gloves
Low Lifestyle
Handheld Sensor (MAD scanner, Motion sensor, Cyberware scanner)
Resperator
Restraints Metal x5
Restraints Plastic x40
Medkit
Medkit supplies x6
Microwire 100m
Docwagon Contract Basic
4975 nuyen

Weapons

Shock gloves
Owner and carry license
Ballistic shield
Owner and carry license
FN-HAR
Owner and carry license
Silencer
Smartgun system top
Bipod
300 Cassless Rifle Ammo
70 Explosive Rifle rounds
4 clips
Ares Crusader II
Owner and carry license
Quick-draw holster
300 Caseless Machine Pistol Ammo
40 Explosive Machine Pistol rounds
4 clips
Silencer
Combat Jacket
Lined Coat
Helmet
5 Karma on Nuyen

[Bigity]

Nothing against you there, but every time I read 'tank' as a role in Shadowrun, I wonder where the line went wrong.

[DeathStrobe]

Nothing against you there, but every time I read 'tank' as a role in Shadowrun, I wonder where the line went wrong.

It's important to have a guy on the front line that's willing to take the hits. Also, seeing how you can make a character that can have insane soak, I fail to see a problem with having a term to easily communicate that archetype's role.

As for craftomega's tank, how about some long haul? Being immune to stun damage...for days...can be helpful...and very bad... But sometimes you just need to make sure you don't fall asleep on a run.

[Mantis]

Yeah me too. I mean really, if you look at what has gone in the past, it has mostly been glass cannons. The idea that there is supposed to be a character type that exists just to soak damage seems kind of counter to the way I at least, play the game.

That said, your FN HAR should have a sound suppressor, not silencer. The silencer is for SA weapons while the suppressor is for BF/FA weapons. Cost is the same but they aren't interchangeable.
Should pick either the armoured jacket or the lined coat, not both. They aren't cumulative for armour value and too much slows you down. Not sure about the utility of a ballistic shield with helmet. You will suffer a penalty to reaction and agility when using both since their bonus is higher than your strength.
You need a grapple gun to utilize that microwire you bought.
None of your weapons seem to have anything other than whatever recoil comp comes built into the weapon. You are going to want to jam as much recoil comp into your weapons as you can otherwise you are looking at serious pool penalties.
I'd dump the metal restraints. Just use the plastic ones. They are cheaper, can be easily hidden and don't need a key to open plus they won't set off a detector when you go through it.
Doc Wagon is kind of useless and dangerous to carry around. I wouldn't bother with it. They won't come get you on corp property and it provides an easy tag to you as well. It used to be a good thing to have in 1st through 3rd edition but no longer.
As for drugs, consider using Nitro or Kamikaze rather than the High Pain Tolerance quality. Same effect for much lower cost. Of course then you need to worry about addiction.
As for strategy, consider not getting hit. No, seriously. Duck and dodge. In previous editions it was always better to not get hit than to try and soak damage and I don't think that has changed any in this edition.
You didn't include your character race but I'm guessing Ork based on the Or'zet language he has.

[craftomega]

Yeah me too. I mean really, if you look at what has gone in the past, it has mostly been glass cannons. The idea that there is supposed to be a character type that exists just to soak damage seems kind of counter to the way I at least, play the game.

That said, your FN HAR should have a sound suppressor, not silencer. The silencer is for SA weapons while the suppressor is for BF/FA weapons. Cost is the same but they aren't interchangeable.
Should pick either the armoured jacket or the lined coat, not both. They aren't cumulative for armour value and too much slows you down. Not sure about the utility of a ballistic shield with helmet. You will suffer a penalty to reaction and agility when using both since their bonus is higher than your strength.
You need a grapple gun to utilize that microwire you bought.
None of your weapons seem to have anything other than whatever recoil comp comes built into the weapon. You are going to want to jam as much recoil comp into your weapons as you can otherwise you are looking at serious pool penalties.
I'd dump the metal restraints. Just use the plastic ones. They are cheaper, can be easily hidden and don't need a key to open plus they won't set off a detector when you go through it.
Doc Wagon is kind of useless and dangerous to carry around. I wouldn't bother with it. They won't come get you on corp property and it provides an easy tag to you as well. It used to be a good thing to have in 1st through 3rd edition but no longer.
As for drugs, consider using Nitro or Kamikaze rather than the High Pain Tolerance quality. Same effect for much lower cost. Of course then you need to worry about addiction.
As for strategy, consider not getting hit. No, seriously. Duck and dodge. In previous editions it was always better to not get hit than to try and soak damage and I don't think that has changed any in this edition.
You didn't include your character race but I'm guessing Ork based on the Or'zet language he has.

Thanks guys I will apply what you said. I did not relize that Docwagon could be traced, as for the FN HAR and shield they are situational. The lined coat is situational for when hiding things is more important then armor. Both of the guns have level 2 gas vents so ill add a shock pad to the FN HAR, and up the gas vent system.

One thing I am not sure about starting a new character is how much situation stuff should I buy?

[Mantis]

Buy a sort of general use package and then some niche gear for whatever role your character fills. I'd buy other situational stuff as it comes up in game. This lets you save your starting cash for the stuff that is important to your character and helps prevent diluting his ability too much. Of course if you have a small team you will need to cover more bases but generally, yeah, stick to your role and a few general use things. You just won't have enough cash to cover all the bases at start.
Remember Doc Wagon gives you an RFID equipped band and every commlink out there comes with a built in RFID reader/scanner. If you were trying to hide for example, and some guard decides to check for RFIDs in a 100 metre radius with his commlink, bang, he finds yours where there shouldn't be one and your hide is exposed. That is just one way they are dangerous to carry around.

[Slide]

Slide's Guide to playing a tank: Find Cover. Or a literal tank.

[T2-Keks]

I see no contacts, a doc would be handy for a character that plans on taking damage (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

As for the concept: I see no problem with it. It is a sam that can take more hits than some other sams and that is ok. Why wouldn't there be runners focussed more on staying alive than killing others? And if a run goes sideways and the first teammember lies bleeding on open ground the team will be glad to have someone that can take the chance of rescuing him.

[Umidori]

Look into a Platelet Factory. Every time you take damage reduce it by 1, to a minimum of 1.

~Umi

[Bigity]

Yeah me too. I mean really, if you look at what has gone in the past, it has mostly been glass cannons. The idea that there is supposed to be a character type that exists just to soak damage seems kind of counter to the way I at least, play the game.

This is my feeling as well. Your game of futuristic gunfights and magical shootouts is lacking lethality if you build a character designed to get shot, IMO. Taking a hit or two without dying, yes that's handy - but is it a character concept?

Not to me really.

[forgarn]

What were you priorities?

[craftomega]

What were you priorities?

Attributes: A
Resources: B
Metatype: C
Skills: D

The idea is that he was recruited as a body guard at a young age, 13 or so, and so he is good at a few things. His employer was rich so spent a crap ton on subtle augments so his guard could go everywhere with him. (hence the skill in unarmed.)

[craftomega]

This is my feeling as well. Your game of futuristic gunfights and magical shootings is lacking lethality if you build a character designed to get shot, IMO. Taking a hit or two without dying, yes that's handy - but is it a character concept?

Not to me really.

I could have put bodyguard as the concept but since im new I had no idea that Tank would offend you.

[Umidori]

Tough. People are entitled to play whatever character concept they like, and it's not your nor anyone else's place to tell them otherwise. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

~Umi

[Bigity]

100 percent correct.

Not sure anybody was telling him that though.

[Slide]

As much as I hate the idea of "tanks" in SR, and think its a silly idea, I recall a Troll in SR4 with 30+ soak dice who charged an 18 wheeler and tore off the door in a hail of gunfire. However I also feel that no amount of armor can make up for sound or unsound tactical decisions. So yeah, I will agree with umi and bigi. Have fun with it dude. And if you can take stupid amounts of damage, and don't mind the possiblity of dieing, do something freaking epic.

[KarmaInferno]

The "tank" concept originally evolved in multiplayer computer games because some perceptive folks noticed that computer opponents seemed to prefer attacking certain players over others. It didn't take much to figure out what specific player actions triggered the most hate. Coupled with the realization that it was much easier to keep one person alive than trying to heal a whole group, and the Tank was born.

A tank is kinda unique to those games. You don't see them in real life because real life opponents aren't run by code and scripting that rigidly determines where they focus their attention.

That said, a key feature of a tank is their ability to get others to attack them, instead of their teammates. I am seeing plenty of damage mitigation in the build, but how are you getting the opposition to shoot at YOU in the first place, as opposed to the mage next to you?



-k

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Tough. People are entitled to play whatever character concept they like, and it's not your nor anyone else's place to tell them otherwise. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

~Umi

I had a Bodyguard concept that I played for a bit (ended at about 127 Karma). Went by the Handle: El Leon de Acero. He could have qualified as a tank, I guess, because he was VERY Sturdy (Was a Human, though he only had 9/4 Armor or so (He wore Business Suits, his Camo Utilities clocked in at 12/7)). Of course, having 19 Physical Boxes was VERY nice. Full body Replacement (Worked with the Olaya Cartel as a Bodyguard for one of the big bosses). Was not all that bad of a character.

[craftomega]

The "tank" concept originally evolved in multiplayer computer games because some perceptive folks noticed that computer opponents seemed to prefer attacking certain players over others. It didn't take much to figure out what specific player actions triggered the most hate. Coupled with the realization that it was much easier to keep one person alive than trying to heal a whole group, and the Tank was born.

A tank is kinda unique to those games. You don't see them in real life because real life opponents aren't run by code and scripting that rigidly determines where they focus their attention.

That said, a key feature of a tank is their ability to get others to attack them, instead of their teammates. I am seeing plenty of damage mitigation in the build, but how are you getting the opposition to shoot at YOU in the first place, as opposed to the mage next to you?



-k

See this is what I need. Now there is a million dollar question. I had not considered this. What is a good way to show you are a larger threat then the spell slinging mage next to you? Honestly I am not sure, my fist instinct would be, if there are not to many enemies would be to charge them, if there were alot of enemies I would simply try and be the easiest shot while also being a threat. But I don't know how well that will work.

[Slide]

See this is what I need. Now there is a million dollar question. I had not considered this. What is a good way to show you are a larger threat then the spell slinging mage next to you? Honestly I am not sure, my fist instinct would be, if there are not to many enemies would be to charge them, if there were alot of enemies I would simply try and be the easiest shot while also being a threat. But I don't know how well that will work.

Maybe not the biggest threat but the only target of opertunity. Strobe packs (are they still in? I'd have to check) Flash bangs, Thermal Smoke while you are in their face with a tact hammer. Dissorient, confuse, and seperate.

[forgarn]

And it would only take one spell or a good perception to notice the mage and then the "Geek the Mage first" rule kicks in and you non longer are the best target of opportunuty!

[Slide]

And it would only take one spell or a good perception to notice the mage and then the "Geek the Mage first" rule kicks in and you non longer are the best target of opportunuty!

Your mage should get better at hiding.

[craftomega]

Maybe not the biggest threat but the only target of opertunity. Strobe packs (are they still in? I'd have to check) Flash bangs, Thermal Smoke while you are in their face with a tact hammer. Dissorient, confuse, and seperate.

So should I bet grenades and strobe packs? Should I get the licenses for them as well?

[Slide]

I'd have to check on strobe packs if they are still even in the game, but they should be unrestricted. Actually taking a look at your guy you already have a high automatic's skill. What you can do is use your FN-HAR to supress an area, remember that each hit you make on a suppresive fire test reduces all of their checks by 1. Now if you use something like say stick and shock anyone you hit will take an aditional -2 penalty to checks, and -5 to inititive. Pair that with smoke gernades and they will have a hard time making out whoever you are trying to protect. The nice thing about smokes is that you don't have to be supper acurate to make them effective. you might not even have to do any shuffling with your skills and just default with your aglity of 5 at a -1 penalty. your call though. Getting a skill at one and spending one skill point to specialize would give you an extra 4 dice compaired to defaulting.

[craftomega]

I'd have to check on strobe packs if they are still even in the game, but they should be unrestricted. Actually taking a look at your guy you already have a high automatic's skill. What you can do is use your FN-HAR to supress an area, remember that each hit you make on a suppresive fire test reduces all of their checks by 1. Now if you use something like say stick and shock anyone you hit will take an aditional -2 penalty to checks, and -5 to inititive. Pair that with smoke gernades and they will have a hard time making out whoever you are trying to protect. The nice thing about smokes is that you don't have to be supper acurate to make them effective. you might not even have to do any shuffling with your skills and just default with your aglity of 5 at a -1 penalty. your call though. Getting a skill at one and spending one skill point to specialize would give you an extra 4 dice compaired to defaulting.

Specializing in what? Throwing?