Ok, I've had a bit too much time on my hands of late (month of hols for u). And i was trying to think up a charater concept thats all off the beaten track so to speak.

I'm after a character that's a none mage (adept is ok)generalist (ish) . But here's a the twist as such, any cyberware (and other Equipment) that this character should have, must be the bare minimum (For cyberware, say no more than just over 1 Essence worth).

So, here's the basic breakdown. 123bp's is what is played. Now im NOT asking for full blown characters.( Something that would be considered a good selection for any character)What i am asking for is a cyberware/equipment list which i willl dub "The Essentials"
Now dispite what some people here think about non-specialist characters i happen to like them. So the basic concept, Covert Ops Specailist.

Your Spending money 90000 Don't forget your life style!
Things that come to mind for me are the likes for Smartlink, Senseware. Maybe Boosted for the none adept.

Now i know theres one in the book, but lets face we all could do better right?

One of my favorite characters was made by taking the Lonestar detective and making him into a 123 point guy. He was essentially a face/decker with a VERY cheap deck.
His ware was alphaboosted 1, alpha SGL and datajack. One point.
Ettiquette, Negotiation, interogation, some combat andsome computer stills.

Here's a basic cyber/skills list for an "undercover" guy...maybe a former cop or something. It's a lot like Bearclaw's. 50 skill points, 30 attribute points.

Alphawear: boosted reflexes 1, smartlink2, rangefinder, datajack.
Low lifestyle, 2 months.
Etiquette, negotiation, interrogation, stealth, athletics, unarmed combat, pistols, bike, car. Other than bike and car, I suggest level 5 in all skills. Hould leave a few skills left over to round him out and personalize him.

45 000 nuyen left for gear. A pocket computer's essential...gotta keep track of everything, is doubles as a phone so can send info to another phone/computer.
Pick up a smartlink 2's Morrisey Elite and quickdraw concealable ankle holster and get an ares predator 3 for show.
A secure ultra vest would be very usefull. It can layer with light armour if needed (Like a cool Crimson Sky jacket). Around 37 ooo nuyen left. Get a car or bike and a medkit and survival kit and voiala...ready to rock and roll.

I'd dump a large portion of that nuyen into contacts. Knowing a wide array of sources to enable flexible responses is a mainstay of a good spook.

Skills are running the current selection:
Athletics, Stealth, handgun, unarmed or melee
computers, computer b/r, electronics, electronics b/r
negotiations, etiquette
car

I went with the adept as a personal preference.

-Siege

How comes i only see one character with Electronics?? Considering the price of seqencers and pass keys, i thought that skill would be a given

Also I think there is some kind of confusion as to what a "Covert Ops" concept is. Now i know it's not D&D, with no set characters and such. But for me it would be a little less "facey"? Granted the two concepts seem to go to gether hand in hand. I not sure maybe more like, MI 1, sneakers and entrapment. instead of bond.

Or is it just me?

There isn't a set price or number set for building your custom electronics, although to crack a maglock is listed as "Electronics B/R".

I include Electronics because it helps to be able to improvise on the fly ala "Sneakers".

-Siege

I'll get back to this one ... intriguing

(No books with me just now: is it cheaper nuyen-wise to build the recording option into the shades or into the eyes themselves? I had thought for sure someone would have mentioned alphaware cybereyes before now ...)

True, that (says the dedicated generalist)