![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]()
Post
#1
|
|
Runner ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 3,035 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Anahiem, CA Member No.: 100 ![]() |
I'm sure this has been done before, but I'm curious what everyone thinks about Deckers and Otaku. Pros and Cons of each?
|
|
|
![]()
Post
#2
|
|
Moving Target ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 226 Joined: 29-July 03 Member No.: 5,137 ![]() |
I prefer deckers simply because they have less inherent baggage, and I just don't get into the otaku mindset very well. I find it difficult to integrate otaku due to their tribe mentality, although the Resonance can be a useful tool. Deckers have the drawback of needing complicated decks (I always build my own rather than using a stock deck, which would make things simpler), but it is easier to roleplay.
|
|
|
![]()
Post
#3
|
|
Grand Master of Run-Fu ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 6,840 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Tir Tairngire Member No.: 178 ![]() |
Deckers, definitely.
Otaku are only good for one thing-- running the matrix. Admittedly, they've very good at it, with advantages most deckers can only dream of. However, you can easily make a decker-anything, while combining otakuhood and anything else is problematic. A decker-mage is easy to do, while an otaku mage is flat-out banned; the same holds true for decker-adepts. I mean, you only need a datajack and a computer skill to be a decker. A decker/sammie is very easy (the combat decker archetype in the BBB can easily double as a light samurai) while an otaku/samurai is nearly impossible. Eerily enough, the best otaku combinations are Otaku/rigger (you can get the VCR installed later) and Otaku/Face (the high charisma really helps). |
|
|
![]()
Post
#4
|
|
Neophyte Runner ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 2,222 Joined: 11-October 02 From: Netherlands and Belgium Member No.: 3,437 ![]() |
Deckers because they're multi-functional. I'd never dream of playing an Otaku for the same reasons I'd never play a full-Decker. It ruins the game IMHO. I'd actually try playing a Decker/Rigger with a Gun. :P
Sphynx |
|
|
![]()
Post
#5
|
|
Dragon ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 4,138 Joined: 10-June 03 From: Tennessee Member No.: 4,706 ![]() |
While deckers are fun and all, I think an Otaku offers a lot of plot hooks that would be great to play out. One of my current pet ideas is an Orkish Otaku from a very small and ultra-poor tribe of metahumans who gets elected as their "face" and sent out to make the money or connections that they so desperately need. He might not be good at much, but he has to learn fast. Etc.
Of course, it all depends on the GM. |
|
|
![]()
Post
#6
|
|
Shooting Target ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 1,512 Joined: 16-August 03 From: Northampton Member No.: 5,499 ![]() |
For me it has to be Otaku.
Simplier for me they have a much cooler element fot them. Or it is because i played Cyber Gen and love anime? |
|
|
![]()
Post
#7
|
|
Moving Target ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 174 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 1,478 ![]() |
i can honestly say i don't care either way--i'll play a damn rating 3 blaster IC, as long as i get my Matrixin'.
that said, i tend to slightly favor otaku because they're so damn sneaky. the average starting otaku has a DF higher than the best a starting decker can come up with, which means an otaku can stay in the system for a lot longer. of course, the downside is that an otaku needs that extra time, because his channels suck, and it takes some major investments to raise them. once an otaku gets some karma under his belt, though, he's hard to beat. |
|
|
![]()
Post
#8
|
|||
Dragon ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 4,138 Joined: 10-June 03 From: Tennessee Member No.: 4,706 ![]() |
The Wizards in CyberGen are different animals, though. One of the cool things about Otaku is the whole mystical bend, which Cybergen lacked. Unless you go in for the Ecoterrorist thing, which can be interesting, but doesn't really do it for me most of the time. Of course, I liked the way the internet developed in the Cyberpunk/gen world than in SR. Right now, it seems that the Matrix has reached its plateau and will stay there. Virtuality seems like the next natural evolution of Matrix technology (ie, overlaid on reality with virtually everyone seeing both worlds at once... making the Decker even more valuable and part of the team). |
||
|
|||
![]()
Post
#9
|
|||
Shooting Target ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 1,512 Joined: 16-August 03 From: Northampton Member No.: 5,499 ![]() |
Well if you take the entire evolved side as the tribe it becomes alot easier. I don't know, It's just the kind of subtell power the Otaku have. Granted they can't fuck with you directly but the can make you whole life hell. With their echos they kind find trace's of you anywhere, piece together your life from nothing but snap shot clues. The things you can DO with them. And then you have the roleplay opertunates with them. Example The child like spitefullness. i remember one game where one of the kids in the appartment block where she was staying stole her "game boy" so she decided to spend the next 2 days setting about ruining the poor kids life. If it wasn't for theinterjection of another Character (a kind of mother figure) she would of put a family of 5 on the streets own tens of thousands to people. Then there was the time she got court stealing from the fridge. Just silly little roleplay oppertunates. It's so much fun!!! |
||
|
|||
![]()
Post
#10
|
|
Moving Target ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 614 Joined: 17-June 03 From: A safehouse about to be compromised by ninjas Member No.: 4,754 ![]() |
Well, it depends ...
Not to deflate anyones ideals here, but in a long running campaign the decker is the guy easiest to overlap with other people. Most people have a datajack, after that its pretty much one skill (computer) plus skills at least someone has already (electronics, etiquette, etc) plus cash. Heck lots of people have computer 3 or 4 just to deal with all the tech in the 6th world, and to do minor computer tasks anyhow. Which means the big difference is that deckers can devote ALL their resources (cash) towards decking, and probably actually bump their computer skill to 8. Compare to the Otaku, who can start with computer 8, and do things no one else can unless theyre another Otaku. And all he really needs to do this is time and experience (ie, doing runs). The trade off is that fitting a kid into most teams takes some work, and can be difficult even at best. So, there kinda isnt a preference. Id probably do a decker because I could mix it with some other elements, and dont think I could roleplay the kid mentality over an entire campaign, but if the team needed a hard-core hacker and had the other bases covered, otaku is the way to go. |
|
|
![]()
Post
#11
|
|||||
Running Target ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 1,428 Joined: 9-June 02 Member No.: 2,860 ![]() |
The selected quotes from Lucyfersam pretty much sum up my opinion, and Cain added some points:
Pure deckers are rare in my games, but many characters end up with some computer skills. In the era of mnemonic enhancers, a few karma points in the computer skill can get you a credible rating. They might not be IC breakers, but you can get a lot of utility work done with a rating of 4 or so. And it's easy to ramp up that "supplementary decker skills" to rating 6 or so without interfering with the rest of the character's abilities. When you get some money, get a real deck and then you've got pretty good decker. Otaku, OTOH, are just too Matrix-focused IMO. While I can imagine a hulking troll merc hiding in his apartment after a run, typing away at a keyboard as he churns out some righteous code (while his friends think he's watching urban brawl re-runs and chugging beer), I don't see an Otaku strapping on milgrade armor and hosing away with an HMG in a competent fashion. |
||||
|
|||||
![]()
Post
#12
|
|
Target ![]() Group: Members Posts: 35 Joined: 3-August 03 Member No.: 5,209 ![]() |
Otaku make deckers practically obsolete.
As to all the decker/mage types... the ones I've seen are those that focus on magic, then develop computer abilities, I'm not sure how fair it is to call them 'deckers'. (insofar as it's probably not going to be they're defining ability) |
|
|
![]()
Post
#13
|
|
Grand Master of Run-Fu ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 6,840 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Tir Tairngire Member No.: 178 ![]() |
That's just it, though. How many computer programmers are *only* computer programmers? How many of them define themselves solely through their ability to code?
Otaku are excellent if you want a single-track character. They are matrix gods, no two ways about it, and they can easily outstrip most starting deckers in Matrix abilities. However, a decker/anything can be a great deal more versatile than an otaku. Sure, that otaku can give you hell in the matrix; but in the meat world, your wired-1 and smartlink will chew him to bits. Otaku do not make deckers obsolete-- they make pure deckers a weaker option, but deckers still have their role, particularly in the combat decker areas. I mean, who'd you rather have on your side, if you need to hack an matrix-isolated facility: a kid who's great with the computer, but damn near useless otherwise; or a guy who can shoot almost as well as the sammie, who has dozens of tech skills, and can handle a computer competently? |
|
|
![]()
Post
#14
|
|
Target ![]() Group: Members Posts: 47 Joined: 26-June 03 From: Salt Lake City: Ute Nation Member No.: 4,811 ![]() |
It really depends on how you want to play your matrix-oriented character, your GM, and the "team" you will joining.
I would only try an otaku character with a large team where my responsibilities were clearly the matrix and not a support-combat role or electronics and gadgetry. An otaku character is (IMO) simply not worth playing without support from the other shadowrunners on their team. Deckers, on the other hand, have more flexibility and although their primary responsibility should always be to act as the team's matrix resource, they are capable of filling more than a single team slot and capable of additional responsibility. A good decker/drone rigger can be a valuable character and an interesting role. |
|
|
![]()
Post
#15
|
|
Canon Companion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 8,021 Joined: 2-March 03 From: The Morgue, Singapore LTG Member No.: 4,187 ![]() |
I voted for otaku, because other than a combat decker, an otaku is IMO an easier charactor to play. Yes, that role is limited and sometimes very restricted but, not very much more.
I was running a campaign with an otaku tribe and a street gang. The street gang guarded the jackpoints and the otaku shared a cut of their proceeds. |
|
|
![]()
Post
#16
|
|
Moving Target ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 156 Joined: 16-August 03 From: Santa Cruz Member No.: 5,500 ![]() |
I think the idea of otaku are niffty...But I am still one that thinks if your whole shtick is that I can do something that take hgours of real time, that i need to leave other gamers to what hey want in order to make my chartcer useful..Wll that is just bad.
The Otaku only being children, **** that ****** ****. I mean really. It is magic in the machine. I get the fact that children see the wold from diffrent eyes than grown ups, but at the same time the matrix was made 30 years ago... Do shamanslosse their magic at 21? Lastly there is little reason to jusifie the rule with role playing. Any rule system canbe fun with the right players,and goood role playing can make up for bad rules. |
|
|
![]()
Post
#17
|
|
Dragon ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 4,138 Joined: 10-June 03 From: Tennessee Member No.: 4,706 ![]() |
Otaku aren't all children. There's one in his 30s-40s that shows no sign of fading. Of course, how he got that way is pretty mysterious.
|
|
|
![]()
Post
#18
|
|||
Shooting Target ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 1,512 Joined: 16-August 03 From: Northampton Member No.: 5,499 ![]() |
R u on about Ronin? If so i didn't think he was THAT old! maybe late twentys early thirtys. |
||
|
|||
![]()
Post
#19
|
|||
Dragon ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 4,138 Joined: 10-June 03 From: Tennessee Member No.: 4,706 ![]() |
Nope, Red Wraith. He got that way in a novel, apparently, but he is discussed in Target: Matrix. |
||
|
|||
![]()
Post
#20
|
|
Shooting Target ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 1,512 Joined: 16-August 03 From: Northampton Member No.: 5,499 ![]() |
Ah yes forgot about him. Psychotrope i think it is. He got they lower part of his brain blown to crap. I also think he has a move-by-wire now as well.
|
|
|
![]()
Post
#21
|
|
Great Dragon ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 6,748 Joined: 5-July 02 Member No.: 2,935 ![]() |
"Faded" (sung to the tune of "Jaded" by Aerosmith)
|
|
|
![]()
Post
#22
|
|
Grand Master of Run-Fu ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 6,840 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Tir Tairngire Member No.: 178 ![]() |
AI-Created otaku are a completely different matter, and IIRC Red Wraith ia AI-created. They're also not legal starting PCs.
|
|
|
![]()
Post
#23
|
|
Great Dragon ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 6,748 Joined: 5-July 02 Member No.: 2,935 ![]() |
Well, it's "Suggested" that they not be PCs. Of course, the question of AI otaku vs. Deep Resonance Otaku gets into what you think the Deep Resonance is.
|
|
|
![]()
Post
#24
|
|||
Dragon ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 4,138 Joined: 10-June 03 From: Tennessee Member No.: 4,706 ![]() |
Are there any solid clues as to what the Deep Resonance is? I'm not that well read, so I would likely have missed anything more obscure than Target: Matrix. Personal theory is that it's a psuedo-magical "awakening" of the Matrix itself and is something akin to a spirit. Of course, by "theory" I mean "wholey unsubstantiated guess" so... In any case, if the GM doesn't have an opinion or intend to use the DR as a plot device it can be even more fun (since whatever crackpot theory you put forth might as well be truth). There's nothing creepier than a ten year old street kid who has found religion and believes himself on a mission from god. ;) |
||
|
|||
![]()
Post
#25
|
|||
Grand Master of Run-Fu ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 6,840 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Tir Tairngire Member No.: 178 ![]() |
It's "suggested" that they not be PC's, but they're decidedly not allowed as starting characters. Rather or not a GM allows a PC to become one is a different matter. |
||
|
|||
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 20th July 2025 - 04:37 AM |
Topps, Inc has sole ownership of the names, logo, artwork, marks, photographs, sounds, audio, video and/or any proprietary material used in connection with the game Shadowrun. Topps, Inc has granted permission to the Dumpshock Forums to use such names, logos, artwork, marks and/or any proprietary materials for promotional and informational purposes on its website but does not endorse, and is not affiliated with the Dumpshock Forums in any official capacity whatsoever.