buying level 3 contacts at first level, is it a good idea? Options

[Kagetenshi]

Given that you can only buy contacts at chargen, ¥500k would just be ridiculous. When you can choose between a friend for life and an alpha VCR 3 for not too much difference in price…

~J

[JongWK]

Buy a Level 3 Decker. Problem solved. ;)

[Jrayjoker]

I think the power of the campaign should govern the level of utilities that Oro uses. I personally like to start out my players with just-in-town-and-starting-fresh, or young-and-newby characters. That way it makes more sense that they have a friend for life and lower level ware and warez.

[Oro]

ONLY 200K!?!?!?

sheesh

[draco aardvark]

You know, I think that the level 3 contact isn't for faces. When I made my 2 faces I gave 'em 20 level 2 contacts instead of a level 3, much more useful for a face.

Now, if you're looking for a mentor - that's perfect for a level 3. Someone who will stick their neck out for you, someone who will do whatever they can to help.

Here's an interesting idea for a level 3: a Lonestar officer. He has you go after the bad-guys that he doesn't have the evidence to jail, in return he has a little 'chat' with the forensic pathologists when he gets to the crime scene. If your GM is initially hesitant, explain it thusly: plenty of adventure hooks, one of the players knows waaay more than the others about 'Mr. Johnson' (sure to lead to inter-group intrigue).

[Kagetenshi]

Although hardly a Level 3 Contact or even a friend, the cop in Kite is a good example of that sort of person in action.

~J

[Cain]

A Level 3 Gang Boss can simulate you being a "lieutenant" in the group. This sort-of replaces the gang/tribe option from SR1 and 2; instead of being able to call a bunch of Yakuza in on your own, you call your contact.

[Jrayjoker]

Yeah, there are benfits and penalties to having soomeone that will do anything for you. You kind of have to have a reciprocal relationship in my book. A lot of level 2s for a face makes a lot more sense than 1 level 3.

As a face, I could see them as someone who knows a lot of people and makes you feel like their best friend while you are there, but doesn't remember your name the next day.

[Lindt]

However, remember that the most dangerous is a L2. While a level one might honestly know you, and a L3 will take abuse, a L2 isnt loyal enough to stand up to goons with guns, and knows enough to be dangerous.