Wish List, What we want in upcoming crunch Options

[adamu]

Like many of you out there, I am eagerly awaiting the SR5 crunch supplements.

I have also noticed how each new release in whatever edition is followed by pages and pages of whining and complaint (some of which I support or have been party to myself).

So I thought rather than wait until after the fact, why not start a thread where people can chime in NOW about what they'd really like to see in the upcoming books.

I would suggest no requests for actual changes to existing SR5 rules (much as some might be needed), as that is probably not going to happen.

But I am thinking about fixes from previous editions that could still be added in if the devs hadn't thought of them yet.

Also, any rules or pieces of gear that you may have liked in previous supplements that you are really hoping get carried over into SR5.

I will be happy to start:

* Please keep Flex Hands cyber (and don't mess with the essence cost - I've been saving a slot for it in my SR5-converted character!)

* Adept powers I really liked were Cool Resolve and Nimble Fingers - please keep.

* But for Nimble Fingers, please FIX. It is great as far as it goes, but why all the love for ammo loaded in clips? You get Insert Clip and Remove Clip for Free Actions instead of Simple. But isn't this power perfect for giving a break to people that de-munch by using magazine or break-action or cylinder-loaded weapons? Why not make those loads Simple instead of Complex? Or else keep them Complex, but give a bonus to the Agility-based number of rounds that can be loaded?

Just a few small requests to get us started.

Thanks!

[binarywraith]

Skinlink.

[FuelDrop]

Sawnoff double barrel shotguns.
Expanded stealth rules, along with associated gear.
Rules and stats for creating zip guns (possibly one statline per ammo size eg heavy pistol, with a variable 'reliability' stat based on hits when making it.)
Cool surprise weapons (eg 1 shot short range concealable flamethrowers so that the shooty guy has an ace when someone with a katana charges them).
Cheap but cheerful drones (aka remote control cars and planes, perfect for expendable recon or ordinance delivery.)
More street level gear.
A list of common defaults (eg machine pistol firing full auto at pistols - 3)

[tasti man LH]

Skinlink.

Preferrably fixed up so it's not an "I win" button.

[RHat]

Better execution of wireless bonuses - even if it is as a supplementary thing.

[Shortstraw]

Skinlink.

+1

Also restricted gear but with the option for multiple levels to get you a higher availability item not just multiple items.

[binarywraith]

Better execution of wireless bonuses - even if it is as a supplementary thing.

So, skinlink?


Because they're never fixing wireless. Just doubling down to try to justify why the dumb shit they published wasn't dumb.

[RHat]

So, skinlink?


Because they're never fixing wireless. Just doubling down to try to justify why the dumb shit they published wasn't dumb.

Are you saying it can't be done, or that they can't? I don't really agree with either, but the former can be proven wrong.

[Sengir]

A real character generation system would be nice
Programs and rigging for TMs, so they can actually do stuff
And sane prices for counter-biometric cyberware, but I'm sure people will argue that the prices are a proud tradition (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Because they're never fixing wireless. Just doubling down to try to justify why the dumb shit they published wasn't dumb.

...by publishing even dumber shit, thereby making the old stuff look brilliant.

Also, skinlink wouldn't negate the need for wireless. You get a wireless bonus if and only of wireless is activated on the item in question. Whether any other connectivity options (skinlink, DNI, IPoAC...) are present does not matter AT ALL.

[mister__joshua]

I just can't wait for the Matrix sourcebook and I'll take whatever comes in it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Kesendeja]

Actual vehicle design rules, not just a few mods.

[Shortstraw]

A real character generation system would be nice

Good

Actual vehicle design rules, not just a few mods.

Also good.

[Sendaz]

A new edition no sooner than 1 year and a day after the new Rigger book comes out. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[BlackJaw]

Actual vehicle design rules, not just a few mods.

Agreed, although I want it for Drones and Vehicles, even if its just guidelines for a GM. Sometimes modifying existing stuff just doesn't work.

Programs and rigging for TMs, so they can actually do stuff

Both of thsoe along with slaving and clear rules on Technomancer direct connections. Some of this can be done with Echoes, but tha's kind of crappy for starting technomancers if they can't be a PAN master, Can't Rig a drone/ride, and can't use the Direct Connection rules to help hack a location Host.

Moreover:
There is a lot of stuff I want back from 4th edition, like particular qualities (Cybertaker, Erased, Restricted Gear, Black Market Pipeline, Escaped Clone...), character types (AIs, SURGED, Variant MetaTypes), and general gear types (more drones, Autocabs, Biodrones, Laser weapons.) I'm hoping some of these area bit better/clearer than they were in 4th edition, like Weapon modification rules being written with the idea that they apply to guns and melee weapons instead of primarily for guns without enough thought to melee. I'm also hoping a lot more the returning content is aimed a PC use instead of GM use, specifically gear that is accessible to players at character creation, including gear modifications.

For new things, however:

• I'd really love some kind Darknet/Tacnet rules that make it easier for the team Decker to handle matrix overwatch. Some sort of cyberprogram that can be run on a Deck that allows them to slave other PANs to it has been talked about on this board, and would fit the need nicely without too many new rules, and could be echoed by a technomancer using existing rules.
• A way to provide Sleaze defensively to non-hackers beyond the limited number of "slaving slots" a Deck has. The above Tacnet idea would do this, but rules for adding a defense only sleaze rating to Commlinks (with some sort of add-on) would also work. Maybe a return of the "Nonstandard Signal" electronics from 4th edition?
• A lot of Matrix clarifications for handling things not well defined in the core book, in particular anything involving "normal" and "legitimate" use of files, devices, and the matrix in general. Right now we even lack a clear definition of how to remove protection from a file without cracking it, and have sloppy terms like "Permission" for jumping into a drone that don't line up with MARKs. RAW, a normal user can't ever unprotected their files and would have to make an opposed roll to spell check a document on the host system where they work.
• "Jar-Head" rules that can be taken by a starting PC. I know Jar-Heads are traditionally GM tools, not PCs, but the same was true of AIs and Spirits in the past, and those were both PC races in 4th edition, although not always the most playable thing. I'd love to see Jar-Head as a Priority A "race" option requiring GM approval.
• Actual Peer to Peer 100m radio signal rules, so not everything needs to link through the matrix. This is not a Master/Slave bypassing "direct connection" but would eliminate Cross-Grid, Public-Grid, and Static Zone penalties when dealing with something near you, although Noise from jamming, spam, and interfering barriers would still apply. It would also let you use a wireless data-tap to get a direct connection from a short distance (making it explicitly possible for Technomancers to get a direct connection to a device, or for intrusion specialists to hook a Decker into an offline system without dragging the entire way) and it would let Drone Riggers communicate with their drones inside Wifi blocking spaces or in remote locations as long as they stay within 100 meters of the drone.
• A Flechete Choke weapon modification that lets you use the Shot-gun spread rules on any weapon firing flechetes. I really want to put this on an Ares Viper Sliver Gun.
• Some method of applying toxins/chemicals to flechetes, possibly as a weapon modification, possibly as a new expensive flechete ammo. I want my Viper sliver gun to be poisonous.

[Sengir]

Actual vehicle design rules, not just a few mods.

I'm not sure if that is a good idea, but at least we should get a distinction between size, survivability, and modifiability. The all-for-one Body stat already stopped working for the standard Stormcloud.

Oh, and speed ratings...could we please forget this thing ever existed?

[Sendaz]

Oh, and speed ratings...could we please forget this thing ever existed?

But I like having my car outrun fighter jets......

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

But I like having my car outrun fighter jets......

Fighter Jets Hell.... They can outrun the Starship Enterprise. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Epicedion]

Highly specialized rated Programs that do things other than the basic +1/+2/stuff. For example, an illegal Black Hammer program that incorporates lockdown and biofeedback and uses its own rating in place of the deck's Attack. Or a Squawk program that sets up signals (success based on your skill and its Rating) to attract IC/spiders and distract them from finding your real persona.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Worms and Trojans... Yes Please. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[BlackJaw]

Worms and Trojans... Yes Please. :)

Agreed!

[Jaid]

Are you saying it can't be done, or that they can't? I don't really agree with either, but the former can be proven wrong.

my read is that he isn't saying either of those things. as i read it, the implication is not that they can't, but rather that they won't.

as for me, i won't know what i'll wish they hadn't done until i find out what they've done. i can't think up the kind of awful ideas they seem to have come up with in a few cases, i see no reason to expect i'll be able to predict what they'll botch next, or how they'll do it.

[Drace]

A real character generation system would be nice

Priority was the main chargen from 1e-3e. 4th was the first time BP was the core chargen, to much whining and bitching. Hence why Karmagen was brought out later on again and priority was te-established in 5th. Though more options would b nice.

My main wants for crunch would be :

1)Mateix sourcebook. More explanation on hosts (a very grey grey area IMO), TM extras (streams and paragons) and more things to do with hacking not directly combat related (spoofed lifestyles for example)

2)Added totems, adept powers, magical traditions (including create your own) and adept paths.

3) More mini PDFs containing rules for optional gameplay (Gang, Merc, DocWagon) which would I think work better than having it take up large portions of a core book (like fields of fire, runners companion etc)

4) While not crunch but fluff, I would love for a newer version of Loose Alliances and Threats. These kinds of books were great at giving large numbers of groups in the world and enough info on them for a campaign to never even need to touch a AAA company for employment, as well as give a huge breadth of info and knowledge on organizations all over the globe (also a reason why I liked 10 gangs, 10 Mercs etc even if some of the stuff was ridiculous)

[binarywraith]

I honestly dread the Matrix sourcebook. The state of the rules in SR5 is so disconnected from reality and basic logic that I shudder to think what they'll do next.

[Curator]

i wanna know a better explanation for bricking shizz, along with a better understandin of AR. cause the idea of an all AR establishment where everything is AR activated which sounds hellish if you don't have the proper equipment or how the rules work specifically on that w/ limited equipment. can you symbolize an attack on equipment through ar? can a decker can hurt you by bricking cyberware or bioware, if it seems plausible in the description of the ware?

[KarmaInferno]

A return of actual cargo, load, and weight stats for vehicles.

This is important if you are, say, playing a pixie rigger inside an anthroform drone inside a Horseman PMV inside a battlevan inside a cargo aircraft.*

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)


-k

*-Actual in game occurrance during a 4th Edition Missions game.**

**-The GM proceeded to rule his NPC sniper could bypass all that armor with a called shot.***

***-Snipers don't do well when counterfired at by tank cannons.