DireRadiant
Dec 18 2007, 06:46 PM
Am I correct in thinking there is no Mystic Adept in the Sample Characters?
FrankTrollman
Dec 18 2007, 06:47 PM
QUOTE (Sponge) |
QUOTE (FrankTrollman) | In combat he has a rifle and a stun baton, both of which he handles with moderate skill (10 Dice). |
I get the impression my POV is quite a bit different from most on this board. 10 dice to me seems like a lot, not "moderate skill", when the average professional gets 6 dice in their field (3 + 3).
(I suppose I'm missing something, as well, but I only count 8 dice for combat - AG6 + 2 skill.)
DS
|
Combat dicepools are in general larger than other dicepools. The character in question gets +2 dice from smartlinking at range (total 10) and +1 die in melee from the baton's reach (again, total 10).
The bounty hunter I have here isn't supposed to flip out ninja style and murder everything, but he can probably drop a decently powerful opponent almost every IP. That's definitely worth something.
-Frank
Whipstitch
Dec 18 2007, 06:50 PM
It's also because the skill list is kind of dumb and shouldn't be thought about too much, nor does it take total dicepool into account. Seriously, look at the thresholds they list in other sections of the book. A threshold of 2 is an "average" task. So your average professional with a 6 dice pool listed apparently fails to do average tasks pretty frequently. Shadowrunners, on the other hand, to be considered good at their job should have the dicepools to have a good solid chance at performing an average task despite having a few stumbling blocks thrown in their way like a wound modifier and insufficient lighting.
X-Kalibur
Dec 18 2007, 06:56 PM
QUOTE (DireRadiant) |
Am I correct in thinking there is no Mystic Adept in the Sample Characters? |
Not that I can remember, but thats ok because mystic adepts are worthless and no one plays them anyway
Cain
Dec 18 2007, 07:30 PM
QUOTE (DireRadiant) |
Am I correct in thinking there is no Mystic Adept in the Sample Characters? |
Not in the original ones, no. If you see an archetype that'd be well-suited for a physmage, though, feel free to write one up. Since we're maintianing the KISS principle, though it may be a tad complicated.
Stahlseele
Dec 18 2007, 08:06 PM
magical invetigator or what's his face would peck me as perfect for phys mage
Siege
Dec 18 2007, 08:20 PM
QUOTE (X-Kalibur) |
QUOTE (DireRadiant @ Dec 18 2007, 01:46 PM) | Am I correct in thinking there is no Mystic Adept in the Sample Characters? |
Not that I can remember, but thats ok because mystic adepts are worthless and no one plays them anyway |
Except as snacks for mantis spirits.
-Siege
klinktastic
Dec 18 2007, 09:09 PM
Occult Investigator
"Peek-a-boo, I see you."
[ Spoiler ]
Race: Human (0 BP)
Mystical Adept (10 BP)
Attributes: (180 BP)
B: 3
A: 2
R: 3
S: 2
C: 3
I: 5
L: 5
W: 3
Edge: 3
Magic: 5 (Mage 2/ Adept 3)
Ess: 6
Mad Skills: (146 BP)
Athletics Group 1
Summoning Group 3
Casting Group 3
Influence 1
Stealth 1
Perception 4
Assense 4
Tracking 2
Dodge 2
Pistols 2
Knowledge Skills: (A Lot Free)
English N
Japanese 2
Arabic 2
Or'zet 2
Biology 2
Chemistry 3
History 1
World Religions 2
Spirits 4
Spell Design 2
Magical Threats 2
Area Knowledge 3
Magical Background 5
Qualities: (-10 BP)
Mystical Adept (10 BP)
Mentor Spirit (5 BP)
Home Ground (10 BP)
SINner (-5 BP)
Incompetence: Cybercombat (-5 BP)
Sensitive Neural Structure (-5 BP)
Mild Addition: Jazz (-5 BP)
Mild Addition: BTLs (-5 BP)
Mild Allergy: Common (-10 BP)
Adept Powers (3 points)
Sustenance
Analytics 2
Enhance Perception 2
Eidetic Sense Memory
Piercing Sense 1
Astral Perception
Spells
Stunbolt
Mind Probe
Increased Reflexes
Influence
Gear and Lifestyle: (14 BP)
Hammerli
-quickdraw holster
-silencer
Ares Viper Silvergun
-laser sight
-quickdraw holster
10 clips, 150 flechette, 100 SnS
Armor Vest
-Chem Protect 6
-Nonconductivity 6
Novatech Airware Commlink
-Iris Orb OS
-Encrypt 4
-ECCM 2
AR Gloves
Trodes
Bound Sustaining Focus 2
Etc....
Contacts: (8 BP)
Talismonger C4/L2
Bartender C1/L1
Edit: Dropped 3 spells and reduced a contact to add magic 5 to get astral perspection.
Carver
Dec 18 2007, 09:41 PM
Don't you have to buy astral perception (adept power) as a mystical adept?
FrankTrollman
Dec 18 2007, 09:45 PM
QUOTE (Carver @ Dec 18 2007, 04:41 PM) |
Don't you have to buy astral perception (adept power) as a mystical adept? |
You don't have to, but you won't be able to do much with your Assensing skill without it.
-Frank
Edit: Next, I call dibbs on the Smuggler.
Carver
Dec 18 2007, 09:52 PM
QUOTE (FrankTrollman) |
QUOTE (Carver @ Dec 18 2007, 04:41 PM) | Don't you have to buy astral perception (adept power) as a mystical adept? |
You don't have to, but you won't be able to do much with your Assensing skill without it.
-Frank
|
Yeah, that's sort of what I was getting at
Mr. Unpronounceable
Dec 18 2007, 11:03 PM
Well, there's always addiction:deepweed for the character who doesn't buy astral perception.
klinktastic
Dec 18 2007, 11:40 PM
Done!
FrankTrollman
Dec 18 2007, 11:43 PM
QUOTE (klinktastic) |
Done! |
That was a joke. You actually need to have the Astral Perception power before you can purchase the Assensing Skill.
In order to make the Deepweed thing work, you need to buy Astral Perception, and the Assensing skill, and then take Cyberware afterwards and sell off the Astral Perception power and addict yourself to Deepweed to get your skill use back.
-Frank
Whipstitch
Dec 19 2007, 12:30 AM
Since everyone's hating on Mystic Adepts, I thought I'd put in this entry for the "Radical Eco Shaman". A radical eco shaman, imho, should be charismatic and driven, perhaps even a bit of a Luddite; the kind of person that has the presence to organize rallies and talk hoods into attacking the corps. The one "problem" with it, however, is the character I ended up with was better at being a Face than anything, so I toned down the Influence skill group and diversified a bit into Demolitions, First aid and Survival, but it's still pretty powerful socially.
[ Spoiler ]
Metatype : Human
Attributes : 190 bp
Body: 3
Agility: 4 (6)
Reaction: 3
Strength: 2
Charisma: 5
Intuition: 3
Logic: 3
Willpower: 4
Special Attributes: 60 bp
Edge: 4
Magic: 5 (4) 2 points for Magician Abilities, 2 points for Adept Powers
Initiative: 6
Essence: 5
Powers:
Kinesics 4 (2 power points)
Knowledge Skills & Languages (18 free bp)
English : Native
Native American Nations (Tribes) : 2
Parazoology (North America) : 1
UCAS Politics (Seattle) : 1
Eco Radical Groups (Seattle) : 3
Active Skills : 128 bp
Influence Group: 2
Counterspelling : 6
Summoning : 4
Binding : 4
Dodge (Ranged Combat) : 3
Pistols (Semi-Automatics) : 2
Perception : 2
Demolitions (Improvised) : 1
Survival : 1
Inflitration : 1
First Aid (Combat Wounds) : 1
Positive Qualities : 10 bp
Mystic Adept
Mentor Spirit (Preferably Moon Maiden or Rat)
Negative Qualities : -30 bp
SINner Criminal
Spirit Bane: Fire
Allergy common, mild: Pollutants
Equipment, Resources and 'ware: 28 bp
Bioware
Muscle Toner 2
Platelet Factories
Tailored Pheromones 2
Survival Knife
Fichetti Security 600
Concealable Holster
3x Spare Clips
9x Stick-n-Shock (10 shots)
5 kgs Foam Explosives
Urban Explorer Jumpsuit
Fake Sin (Rating 4)
Commlink : Renraku Sensei
OS : Renraku Ichi
Tag Eraser
Trodes
20xStealth RFID Tags
Bound Power Focus (Rating 2)
Survival Kit
Medkit (Rating 6)
Medkit Supplies
Lifestyle : 4 months Squatter
Contacts : 9 bp
Talislegger (L:3 C:2)
Fixer (L:2 C:2)
klinktastic
Dec 19 2007, 12:38 AM
I like that Eco Shaman Whipstitch. That's a pretty cool character concept, probably would be a good NPC in general, as either an ally, a Johnson, or a bad guy.
WhiskeyMac
Dec 19 2007, 12:45 AM
Dibs on the Enforcer.
Whipstitch
Dec 19 2007, 12:52 AM
Glad you liked it Klinktastic. And yeah, in my limited experience as GM I've used NPCs similar to this a time or two as "mini-bosses" and contacts. Does the job really well because it can summon its own cannon fodder, outright win many social tests, adds monstrous spell defense and is better at hindering opponents than outright killing people.
Kyoto Kid
Dec 19 2007, 07:02 AM
...OK here she is. I ended up staying with the original metatype as it is nice to have a bit more in the physical attribute dept.
The character is designed more in the style of the old American West gunslinger. In keeping with the theme her primary weapons are her Ruger Super Warhawks. She also has a shotgun and rifle as well, giving her a few more options.
As she doesn't use a smartlink, she would be a great candidate for Attunement metamagic (Revolvers) when she initiates.
I sacrificed one IP for Mystic Armour to make her a bit tougher (someone mentioned in another thread about the way the original Gunslinger Adept was depicted crashing through the window wearing no armour).
...so without further adieu I present Kid Shelleen (man I loved that movie especially the scene where Lee Marvin was sitting on his horse & both were drunk leaning against a building).
Hope I got hte BPs figures correctly. The chargen spreadsheet I use has Blakkie's house for contacts figured in so I had to make sure to make the adjustment.
[ Spoiler ]
Kid Shelleen
Gunslinger Adept
Metatype: Ork [20bp]
Standard Attributes [190 BP]
Body 5
Agility 5
Reaction 5(6)
Strength 5
Charisma 2
Intuition 4
Logic 3
Willpower 3
Figured Attributes
Initiative 10
Stun Track 10
Physical Track 11
Special Attributes [50 BP]
Magic 5
Edge 2
Positive Qualities [-15]
Adept 5
Ambidextrous 5
High Pain Tolerance 5
Negative Qualities [+25]
Mild Allergy to Silver 5
Addiction Whiskey 5
SINner 5
Simsense Vertigo 10
Active Skills [132 BP]
Firearms Group 4
Armourer 3 (Firearms +2)
Unarmed Combat 3 (you have to be able to deal with a saloon brawl)
Perception 3 (visual +2)
Infiltration 3 (Urban +2)
Gymnastics 3
Etiquette 3 (Street +2)
Pilot Ground Vehicle 1 (Bike +2)
Computer 1 (commlink +2)
Knowledge [21 free points]
Firearm Design 3
Firearm History 2
Wild West Lore 3
Lone Star Procedures 3
Law 3
Local Bar Scene 3
Languages
English N
Or'Zet 4
Adept Powers
Improved Reflexes I
Combat Sense 2
Improved Combat Ability (Pistols) 2
Mystic Armour 2
Resources 35,000 (7 BP) [about 2200 unspent]
Lifestyle: Low 2 mo. prepaid
Weapons
Ruger Super Warhawk (2) with Laser Sight
Quick Draw Holster (2)
Fichetti Security (2) with Laser Sight
Hidden Arm Gun Slide (2)
Remington 990 with Laser sight
Ruger 100 with Laser Sight
Streetline Special
Shock Glove
Accessories
Speed Loader (4)
Ammo
EX Explosive rounds 60 (for Warhawks)
Ex Explosive Rounds 40 (for Ruger 100)
Stick & Shock Rounds 120
Shot rounds(Flechette) 40 (Remington 990)
Regular Rounds (Streetline)
Armour
Lined coat in old duster style with Nonconductivity 4
Biker Helmet +1/+2
Gear
Fake SIN 4
Fake License (Private Investigator) 4
Contact Lenses
+Flare Comp
+Vision Enhancement III
Micro Transceiver 4
Subvocal Microphone
Gunsmith Shop
Respirator 6
Medikit 6
Regular clothing
Stetson
Cowboy (girl?) Boots
Vehicle
Yamaha Growler "Old Paint"
Commlink
Erika Elite
Iris Orb OS
Browse Utility 3
Edit Utility 3
Contacts [11 BP]
Fixer C3/L3
Lone Star Detective C2/L3
Quote; "I smell a waterin' hole..."
JBlades
Dec 19 2007, 10:33 AM
Hey Kid, it looks good, but you got two skills in there (Infiltration and Computer) where you didn't buy any points, just specializations. The point total is correct for buying the specializations without any skill points.
I guess it's something you could do, but I've never thought about it (skill of 0 with a 2 in a particular specialization).
Is that on purpose? Kind of looks like an artifact of the spreadsheet...
Ryu
Dec 19 2007, 12:53 PM
BP Distribution
Race 20
Attributes 220
Skill 142
Qualities -10
Ressources 7
Connections 21
[ Spoiler ]
Metatype: Orc
Attributes
Body 7
Agility 4
Reaction 4 (5)
Strength 5
Charisma 2
Intuition 5
Logic 2
Willpower 3
Edge 4
IP 2
Qualities
Guts 5
Weak Immune System -5
Criminal SINner -10
Skills
Firearms 3
Athletics 1
Influence 1
Stealth 3
Close Combat 4
Ground Vehicles: Bikes 1
Intimidation: Physical 2
Perception: Visual 1
Languages
Spanish M
English 3
Knowledge
Familiarity: Redmond 4
Sec. Procedures (Syndicates) 3
Japanese Culture (Yakuza) 2
Gang Structures (Seattle) 3
Safehouses 3
Cyberware
Wired Reflexes
Cybereyes Rating 2
+Smart, Flare Comp., Low Light
Gear
Ruger Super Warhawk
AK-97 + external smartlink
Battle Axe
Survival Knife
Ammo: Pistol 10, AR 100, Gel 50
Armored Jacket (Electric Insulation 4)
Urban Camo Suit (Thermal Damping 3, Thermal Insulation 3)
Renraku Sensei + Ichi Comlink
Fake SIN Rating 4
Fake Drivers License Rating 4
Miracle Shooter (8 months)
Low Lifestyle (1 month)
Yamaha Growler
Connections
(Connection Rating, Loyality)
Local Gangboss 3 2
StreetDoc 3 2
Fixer (Weapons) 3 1
Yakuza Johnson 4 3
Quote
"The boss says you owe 20k¥"
"I´m not paid to care"
This version of an upstart sprawl ganger is actually ready to climb the street crime career ladder. Organised crime already thaught him to be useful, first connections provide runner work and gear. Both karma and ¥ should make the char grow quickly.
Kyoto Kid
Dec 19 2007, 04:09 PM
QUOTE (JBlades) |
Hey Kid, it looks good, but you got two skills in there (Infiltration and Computer) where you didn't buy any points, just specializations. The point total is correct for buying the specializations without any skill points.
I guess it's something you could do, but I've never thought about it (skill of 0 with a 2 in a particular specialization).
Is that on purpose? Kind of looks like an artifact of the spreadsheet... |
...oopsie
...fixed now.
Yeah, as I mentioned I built the character in an Excel Spreadsheet character generator to make sure all the costs balanced. Had to transcribe everything over by hand.
I was still on kind of an adrenaline rush/crash when I posted the character after dealing with an overly aggressive USPS truck driver who kept harassing me by driving right behind me last night refusing back off. On several occasions he came with in inches of my back wheel and would not go around (BTW, I commute to work by bike). Man I thought they only went berserk with Assault Rifles and Semi-auto pistols, not multi tonne trucks.
...on the more up side, I really enjoyed working the character up and I may actually play her.
Sponge
Dec 19 2007, 06:16 PM
Whipstitch, I don't see where you detail the 2 points of Adept powers for the Eco-Shaman?
klinktastic
Dec 19 2007, 06:39 PM
I wanted to get a consensus on what you guys things we should do with these sample characters. I think we should start a thread in the community projects with just posts of the finished sample characters. We should keep posting them within this thread to get feedback, but then post our final products in that section. That way it will be easy to access these characters.
What do you guys think?
Kyoto Kid
Dec 19 2007, 07:20 PM
...you have my "yes" vote..
...oh, and forgot to list her Shock Glove.
Whipstitch
Dec 19 2007, 07:33 PM
QUOTE (Sponge @ Dec 19 2007, 01:16 PM) |
Whipstitch, I don't see where you detail the 2 points of Adept powers for the Eco-Shaman? |
Oops; thanks for mentioning it. The two power points went into Kinesics 4, which is why I said that it's a better Face than most Faces. If that seems bothersome or overkill it can easily be tossed into Combat Senses or whatever else you think won't step on the toes of another archetype.
And before anyone flips out, yes, you can use your full magic total for determining the limit on Adept power ratings as a Mystic Adept, you just can't use the full magic score for any dice rolls using your Magic attribute. One thing I'm a li'l fuzzy on is whether or not you use the full Magic attribute to determine overcasting limits and when drain i stun or physical. I would lean towards using the full attribute, personally, since no dice pool is involved there, but I've been wrong before. It doesn't strongly affect this build though, since it Force 3 & 4 Spirits are the workhorses I was shooting for and because my self-imposed Augmentation restriction rules out trauma dampers regardless.
Sponge
Dec 19 2007, 07:45 PM
QUOTE (Whipstitch) |
One thing I'm a li'l fuzzy on is whether or not you use the full Magic attribute to determine whether drain is stun or physical. I would lean towards using the full attribute, personally, since no dice pool is involved there, but I've been wrong before. |
I'm pretty sure that only the Magic points spent towards spellcasting are used for the purpose of limiting the Force of spells you can cast (and thus determine whether the drain is Stun or Physical), but I don't have a book handy to verify.
Whipstitch
Dec 19 2007, 07:51 PM
Yeah, it says magic linked skills, so I dunno. Regardless, it's not that big of a deal. I designed the character around the assumption that a Force 4 Spirit would represent the pinnacle of the character's overcasting abilities and that the drain would be physical anyway. Besides, the character's only got 8 dice for summoning tests, so I wouldn't recommend going higher than Force 3 or 4 to begin with. I'm still divided on bothering with binding for the character; it has a decent Edge pool to work with though, so it should work out, especially once the character buys a specialization for their preferred workhorse spirit.
Ryu
Dec 19 2007, 09:16 PM
Yes on the Community Project!
FrankTrollman
Dec 19 2007, 11:48 PM
QUOTE (Sponge) |
QUOTE (Whipstitch) | One thing I'm a li'l fuzzy on is whether or not you use the full Magic attribute to determine whether drain is stun or physical. I would lean towards using the full attribute, personally, since no dice pool is involved there, but I've been wrong before. |
I'm pretty sure that only the Magic points spent towards spellcasting are used for the purpose of limiting the Force of spells you can cast (and thus determine whether the drain is Stun or Physical), but I don't have a book handy to verify.
|
The rulebook says that you use the full Magic for that purpose, but the FAQ says you only use your Magic Skills points. :shrug: Mystic Adepts are sketchy enough that I don't consider it at all cheesy for them to use the more generous interpretation.
-Frank
Kyoto Kid
Dec 19 2007, 11:56 PM
...now I know he's been busy on
Missions artwork but it would be cool if Squinky could be enticed do pics of each of the main archetype characters & have a link to the drawings put in each character post.
[
...shhhhh, don't tell him I mentioned that...]
klinktastic
Dec 20 2007, 12:45 AM
oh man, drawing of each of the sample characters would be rediculous.
ElFenrir
Dec 21 2007, 01:27 AM
Ok, so here was my take of the Combat Mage. He went under a few tweaks: I made him a Troll, for one, and i went lighter on the conjuring skills. I felt i wanted the Combat Mage to be pretty aggressive in and of himself, but his Magic of 5 plus Conjuring Group of 2 doesn't completely suck. I went a little skill heavier too, making him pretty dangerous in whatever situation, as befitting a combat mage.
[ Spoiler ]
Combat Mage
Race: Troll(40 BPs)
BPs: 400
Quote: ''Me likes to casts da spells! Spellz, yeah! Me casty da big...oh, the hell with it, i am NOT doing THIS act again!!!!''
Attributes Total: 200 BPs
Body: 5(+1 dmg)
Agility: 4
Reaction: 3
Strength: 5
Charisma: 3
Intuition: 3
Logic: 4
Willpower: 4
Edge: 2
Magic: 5
Initative: 6/1
Essence: 6
Active Skills(140 BPs)
Spellcasting(Combat Spells): 5(+2)
Counterspelling: 4
Conjuring Skill Group: 2
Blades(Swords): 3(+2)
Pistols(Semi-Automatics): 3(+2)
Unarmed Combat: 3
Etiquette(Street): 2(+2)
Perception: 2
Dodge(Ranged): 1(+2)
Pilot Ground Craft(Wheeled): 1(+2)
Astral Combat: 3
Knowledge/Language Skills:
Safehouse Locations 3
80s Speed Metal 2
Magical Threats 3
Magical Groups 3
Magic Background 3
Security Procedures 2
Paranormal Animals(Urban) 1(+2)
Spanish: N
English: 3
Spells(24 BPs):
Manaball
Manabolt
Lightning Bolt
Armor
Invisibility
Levitate
Increase Reflexes
Stunbolt
Contacts(11 BPs)
Talismonger: C4 L2
Fixer: C3 L3
Resources/Gear(25k, 5 BPs)
Suzuki Mirage, Armor Jacket with Thermal Dampening 3, Fake ID 4, Fake License 4 x2, Medkit 4, Stim Patches x2 rating 4, Sony Emperor Commlink with Redcap Nix OS, Hot Sim modded, with selection of music/sim/BTLs, Contact Lenses with Smartlink and Flare Compensation, Earbuds with Audio Enhancement 3 and Select Sound Filter 3, Ares Predator 4 with 100 rounds each Regular, Gel, and Ex-Ex ammo, Concealable Holster, Silencer and 20 clips, Shock Gloves, Monosword, Survival Knife, Magical Lodge rating 6, Conjuring Materials Rating 2, 1 month Low Lifestyle
+Qualities: Magician(15)
-Qualities: Sensitive System(+15)
Mild Addiction: Alcohol(+5)
Mild Allergy: Sunlight(+10)
Scorched(+5)
Total BPs: 420(adding in qualities)
Hope he turned out allright. I think i added his gear up correctly. If i spent too much, i could axe a couple Lodge levels or something, but i think its about accurate. This, in my head, is how a Combat Mage might look. If i were to play him, id probably utilize some karma and buy him up some more Dodge and social skills(especially Intimidation..a guy like this could have it, though hes probably scary enough as it is) since his Charisma is fairly decent, especially for a troll.
EDIT: Next, i think im actually going to put in a melee oriented physical adept; ill be using the base of a character ive played for awhile, a Bouncer. There is no bouncer/bodyguard archetype, and no melee oriented adepts, so ill do a few tweaks on the character(no Street Magic) and see how it runs.
Cain
Dec 21 2007, 02:54 AM
Ooh, I'd love to see a Bodyguard. There hasn't been one of those for a while.
ElFenrir
Dec 21 2007, 05:05 AM
Well, heres a tweak up of my Bouncer/Bodyguard, still in play, but adjusted to be more fitting to a BBB Sample Character. I think.
[ Spoiler ]
The Bouncer
"I saw that. Now turn around, and walk out, now. Before i have to get a bit nasty."
Human(0 BP)
Attributes:
Body: 4
Agility: 4
Reaction: 4
Strength: 4
Charisma: 3
Intuition: 4
Logic: 2
Willpower: 3
Edge: 2
Magic: 6
Essence: 6
Total Attributes: 265 BP
Active Skills(132) :
Unarmed Combat(Kickboxing): 5(+2)
Intimidation(Physical): 5(+2) [+2 Intimidation Improved Ability]
Perception: 4(+2 Enhanced Perception)
Etiquette(Street): 2(+2)
Longarms(Shotguns): 1(+2)
Dodge(Ranged): 2(+2)
Negotations: 3
Athletics Skill Group: 2
Pilot Ground Craft(Wheeled): 1(+2)
Astral Combat(Unarmed): 1(+2)
Knowledge/Language Skills:
Shadowrunner Haunts 3
Seedy Bars 3
Alcohol 1
Local Underground 3 [im leaving this open to choice]
Norwegian Black Metal Bands 2
Occult 3
Norwegian N
English 3
Adept Powers:
Missile Parry Lv. 2
Combat Sense Lv. 1
Critical Strike Lv. 4
Killing Hands
Enhanced Perception Lv. 2
Astral Perception
Improved Ability(Intimidation) Lv. 2
Kinesics Lv. 1
Attribute Boost (Agilty and Strength, both lv. 1)
Mystic Armor Lv. 1
Gear(4 BP. 20k): Glasses w/Smartlink and Vision Enhancement Lv. 3, Contact Lenses with Low Light, Thermographic, and Flare Compensation, Earbuds with Audio Enhancement 3 and Select Sound Filter 3, Armor Jacket, Remington 990(smartlinked), with 40 rounds each regular, fletchette and gel rounds, Sony Emperor w/Redcap Nix OS, Hot sim Mod and recording selections, Suzuki Mirage, Low Lifestyle(1 month), Miracle Shooter(6 months), knife, 2x Antidote Patches(rating 4), 2x Stim Patches(Rating 4), Trauma Patch, Medkit lv. 4, Fake ID lv. 3, Fake License lv. 4, Subvocal Mic, varied spiked bracelets and rings
+ Qualities:
Adept(5)
Guts(5)
Photographic Memory(10)
-Qualities:
Sensitive System(+15)
Mild Addiction(Stim, +5)
Moderate Allergy(Gold, +10)
Contacts(11 BP):
Club Owner: C4 L2
Fixer: C3 L2
Ive played this character(save a couple of changes; i changed a couple of his skills around that are a bit more personal and put in some good general skills, like Negotation(which i had bought later with Karma, in my case). I also put Combat Sense in this version; he can double a little easier as a bodyguard as well(I went with Thermographic Vision/Flare Comp in the original). This guy's point is to scare people, notice about anything(high Perception, Enhanced Perception, and vision enhancements), sometimes noticing things about them before they do. Astral Perception with some Astral Combat round out his idea; a bouncer has to be able to keep those pesky Astral people out, after all. Killing Hands makes for when it just has to be done, and Critical Strike allows for some seriously painful hits; this guy doesnt have much in the way of firearms. And Kinesics helps round out his social skills; he does use his Intimidation alot, and Negotations comes in handy as well.
He might not be as good as a textbook bodyguard due to the lack of guns, but i was more looking to make an unarmed guy in the Sample Characters, since there wasn't really one. And yeah, i took some similar gear for both my characters...feel free to change the commlinks or whatever.
klinktastic
Dec 21 2007, 05:31 AM
Here is a sample character of the guy I'm playing now. I started off with a random assortment of stuff, but here is what I would have started with had I known what would be useful.
The Chameleon
[ Spoiler ]
Ork (20 BP)
Adept
Attributes:
Body: 5
Agility: 4
Reaction: 5
Strength: 3
Charisma: 4
Intuition: 5
Logic: 3
Willpower: 4
Edge: 5
Magic: 5
Essence: 6
Total Attributes: 280
Qualities (-20 BP)
Adept (5 BP)
Human Looking (5 BP)
First Impression (5 BP)
Gremlins 1 (-5 BP)
Addition Mild Cram (-5 BP)
Codeblock (-5 BP)
Allergy Mild/Unc (-10 BP)
SINer Criminal (-10 BP)
Adept Powers
Kinesics 4
Commanding Voice
Voice Control
Melanin Control
Nimble Fingers
Sustenance
Facial Sculpt 3
Improve Gymnastics 2
Skills (102 BP)
Athletics Group 1
Influence Group 3
Stealth Group 3
Pistol 4
Perception 4
Knowledge Skills
Anything useful for Covers
-mechanic stuff
-medicial stuff
-security stuff
-Etc
Remaining 18 BPs for equipment (nanopaste) and contacts
This guy basically can transform into anyone he wants, mimic their voice, and even do so on the fly. He makes a rediculous assassin because he can change disguises repeatedly. He's light on skills, but that makes him a prime canidate for skillwires.
Redjack
Dec 21 2007, 06:35 AM
Gremlins will make for great fun for the GM when those high tech disguises start freaking out... Kinda like Arnie's disguise in Total Recall..
Moon-Hawk
Dec 21 2007, 04:08 PM
QUOTE (Redjack) |
Gremlins will make for great fun for the GM when those high tech disguises start freaking out... Kinda like Arnie's disguise in Total Recall.. |
twwwwoooooooooooooo wwwweeeeeeeeeeeeks
klinktastic
Dec 21 2007, 07:42 PM
I started a thread for the sample characters
Sample Characters
ElFenrir
Dec 22 2007, 04:13 AM
You know, i just had an awesome brainfart. I was looking over the Occult Investigator again, and noticed he had a mild addiction to Jazz.
The first thing i thought was ''well, unless they have a real lean GM, i dont think he's going to buy that they have to listen to Miles Davis on a failed Will roll''.
then i remembered. oops.
Cain
Dec 27 2007, 03:26 AM
Caome on, guys, we've only got a few left to go!
Glyph
Dec 27 2007, 07:58 AM
I'll call dibs on the face. Just need to finish his contacts and gear. I kept this one pretty simple - just some kinesics, instead of the kinesics/improved ability/tailored pheromes combo.
This guy will be a Former Mr. Johnson who got tossed to the curb, and now has to resort to rubbing elbows with the same gutter trash that he used to hire for jobs.
Kronk2
Dec 27 2007, 08:23 AM
QUOTE (ElFenrir) |
You know, i just had an awesome brainfart. I was looking over the Occult Investigator again, and noticed he had a mild addiction to Jazz.
The first thing i thought was ''well, unless they have a real lean GM, i dont think he's going to buy that they have to listen to Miles Davis on a failed Will roll''.
then i remembered. oops. |
that would make for a pretty interesting character tho. disappears into Jazz clubs randomly and dresses like a total beatnik, would have to be a veterinarian and drink lots of fruit juice and things like that, oh and carry a Tenor Sax. If they can;t find a club, the top of whatever building will do nicely, just so long as people can hear him for 3 miles square.
FrankTrollman
Dec 27 2007, 03:49 PM
The Smuggler archetype suffers from not being good at, well,
smuggling, She can drive, she can fix a car, and she can fight. Can she bluff her way past a check point? Not really (2 dice for Con). Can she sleaze under observation through traffic? Not really (4 Dice for Shadowing). Can she hide contraband from investigating authorities? Again no (4 ice for Palming tests). Basically there's nothing she can do as far as smuggling goes except but a tool box on the accelerator and hope that the fuzz doesn't show. That's unfortunate. Hell, she has metal in her bones and she can't even
personally walk through a checkpoint without having alarms go off.
Goal: This character should be able to be more than the wheels of the team. She should be able to get people, places, and things into and out of Seattle with a minimum of fuss.
Smuggler“
This baby can make the Kessel Run in 20 furlongs.�
[ Spoiler ]
Race: Elf (30 BP)Attributes: (190 BP):
B: 3
A: 2
R: 5
S: 2
C: 6
I: 4
L: 5
W: 1
Edge: 3
Ess: 4.55
Mad Skills: (154 BP)Mechanics Group 1
Influence Group 2
Stealth Group 4
Outdoors Group 1
Perception 1
Pilot Ground Craft 4
Pilot Aircraft 2
Gunnery 6
Armorer 1
Demolitions 3
Forgery 1 (ID Forging +2)
Knowledge Skills: (27 Free)Spanish N
English 3
Nahuatl 3
Border Patrol Tactics 4
Auto Mechanics 3
Engineering 3
Aztec Politics 2
Hideously Expensive Things 3
Street Drugs 2
Smuggling Routes 4
Qualities: (-35 BP)Incompetence: Hacking (-5 BP)
Combat Paralysis (-20)
Low Pain Tolerance (-10)
Cyberwares:Internal Custom Commlink: 5/5/5/5
Control Rig
Data Jack
Implanted SimRig
Fingertip Compartment
Tooth Compartment
Skin Pocket
Gear and Lifestyle: (50 BP)Middle Lifestyle (1 month)Programs- Analyze 4, Browse 4, Command 5, Decrypt 5, ECCM 5, Edit 5, Encrypt 5, Scan 4, Sniffer 4, Stealth 5, Agent 4.
- Pilot 4, Clearsight 4, Defense 4, Electronic Warfare 4, Maneuver (Groundcraft 4, Maneuver (Aircraft) 4, Targeting (Heavy Weapons) 4, Targeting (Automatics) 4.
- Linguasofts: Cantonese 3, French 3, Inuit 3, Mandarin 3, Nihonji 3, Sioux 3, Sperethiel 3
Urban Explorer Jumpsuit w/helmet, w/ Chem Protection 6, Fire Resistance 6, Insulation 6, Nonconductivity 6
Ammunitions
20 HE Minigrenades (Dalmatian)
10 Gas Grenades (CS Gas, Doberman)
100 rounds of EX-Ex rounds (Doberman)
100 rounds of Gel (Doberman)
100 rounds of Tracer rounds (Lynx)
100 rounds EX-Ex rounds (Lynx)
100 rounds Gel (Lynx)
Rating 4 Fake SIN
Second Rating 4 Fake SIN
Vehicle Shop
Armorer Kit
Demolitions Kit
Drones[list]Eurocar Westwind 3K (Response 5, Signal 5)
Suzuki Mirage (stock)
Shiawase Kanmushi
MCT FlySpy
Doberman (Response 5, Signal 5, Ares Alpha)
Steel Lynx (Response 5, Signal 5, White Knight, Rating 4 Area Jammer)
Dalmatian (Response 5, Signal 5, Armtech Mini Grenade Launcher)
Contacts: (11 BP)Fixer 2/2
Warehouse Owner 2/2
Software Pirate 1/2
So how did we do? In extreme mortal kombat she is a terror. Minigrenades and machine guns blaze at 13 dice (Command 5 + Gunnery 6 + Control Rig 2), and she can get 3 IP by going limp. She drives her car, motorbike, or Steel Lynx with a not inconsiderable 11 dice. She can talk her way past most check points with her 8 dice at Etiquette or Con and a passable usage of every language in use on such check points from here to Hong Kong, Europort, and Caracas. Her 8 die shadowing pool is decent,
very decent when she's stalking people with recon drones.
Weaknesses: The obvious limitations are her low Palming skill (6 dice), which is only slightly better than the 4 dice that the original archetype rolled with. Also, she's complete shit in combat unless she has a drone on hand. That's the price she pays for being able to successfully pass herself off as harmless – she actually
is harmless.
Problems I had making this archetype:Once you extensively house rule a section, it is
amazing how much you forget is fucked up in the original document. Like, you can't actually purchase a sensor rating for vehicles. And there's really no reason to even
have an Electronic Warfare skill because every one of your drones has the same dice pool for the skill that you do (even better if you don't max out your EW at chargen). Argh, god damnit those rules are incomprehensible.
-Frank
Kyoto Kid
Dec 27 2007, 08:16 PM
...hoo boy a bit of critique here (and the most I have done for any character in some time)
I'd be hard pressed to run a character who couldn't defend herself without being in her ride. The thing is she is going to be out of her vehicle at times, such as at a bar negotiating a run. I've been at customs points before where you were asked to get out of the vehicle while it was searched. Things go sour, and it's a short career. If anything this character is more of a Vehicle/Drone Rigger/Face than a Smuggler.
The three negative qualities really work against the character. Combat Paralysis is deadly (I don't even know why any of the original sample characters have it), for if something breaks down at a checkpoint she is in big trouble. If she's trying to "Sweet Talk" her way through a checkpoint she is at her Meat Initiative and dead last in the IP. One jumpy, trigger happy guard and it's all over. The Low Pain Tolerance would also affect her if she suffers dumpshock. Being able to Hack would be a benefit even if it is to file a forged waybill showing she's a legit courier. The fact she is incompetent means she cannot even default. Depending on how the GM uses the rules two of these also add to her notoriety.
Ideally anyone would like to avoid combat (well maybe not the Sprawl Ganger or Street Sam), but in Shadowrun it is almost as inevitable as the acid rain in Seattle. Drones take time to ready, pulling a Fichetti Security with S&S takes a simple action (free action if on a hidden gun slide).
I would have ditched the elf metatype to save some BPs for skills & attributes and maybe drop a couple drones to get some ware so that she can boost her Agility.
For choice of vehicle, I would have opted for the Bulldog as it is bland (UPS ConFedEx etc.) and better armoured than the faster yet more distinctive Westwind. I thought the bike the original character had was even more ridiculous as there wasn't a lot of cargo space and with a called shot she would be easy to take out.
I know, building for the RAW is a pain particularly when you are designing a "matrix heavy" character which is why I chose the Gunslinger Adept over the Matrix Specialist. This is a character type who would actually work better after Arsenal is released.
FrankTrollman
Dec 27 2007, 08:47 PM
QUOTE |
Combat Paralysis is deadly (I don't even know why any of the original sample characters have it) |
Are we reading the same quality? You roll half dice on initiative tests. Not "your initiative is halved," but you literally just roll half as many dice. Your Init total is hits + Initiative value (which is unchanged). So for example, this character has an initiative of 9. She has Combat Paralysis so she rolls 5 dice (instead of 9), and then she adds nine to that value. Her average initiative score is 10.7 - and if she didn't have Combat Paralysis she'd have an average score of 12. But get this: if she didn't have Combat Paralysis and saved the 20 points by reducing her Intuition and Reaction by 1 each, she'd have an average initiative score of only 9.3 - less than she gets taking Combat Paralysis and spending the points on being faster. As is, she goes off on average before those sad Init 7 Security Patrols anyway.
The -3 it gives on Surprise tests is bad, but since it comes with +2 dice on the same tests from the Attribute boost it's really not that bad. The character is rolling 6 dice on those tests, and that's not super shabby (plus if your first action in combat is to take cover and turn on your death bot, the surprise test doesn't even pretend to matter).
Combat Paralysis is a role playing hook and a not-too-subtle hint to stay the frag out of combat with the character. But its actual effect on character actions in combat is completely laughable. Min/maxing 101 says that this is a quality which should seriously go on Street Sams and other combat maniacs. The effects it actually has on a character are nothing like worth the massive pile of points it gives you.
No, the real kickers are the crap like Uncouth and Infirm. Those things actually cost you points in the long run and are incredibly crippling.
-Frank
Whipstitch
Dec 27 2007, 09:06 PM
I'm not a big fan of combat paralysis either, but mostly because people tend to put it on characters who are already hopelessly slow to begin with. Putting it on someone who's fast, on the other hand, is a lot like giving a Severe Uncommon Allergy to a mage who already knows Alleviate Allergy and owns several Health Sustaining Foci. Sure, you're still better off without the allergy, but it's certainly manageable.
Kyoto Kid
Dec 27 2007, 09:52 PM
...apologies. Just went back & read the description (both in 4th & 3rd ed). Seems I got mixed it up with Initiative glitches which puts the character behind everyone else in the IP.
Still, the hit on surprise would keep me from taking it as I had a GM who was big on throwing us into such situations. Were it not that my character's usually had a decent perception DP, things would have been worse. Again, I still see there will be times this character is out of her vehicle and therefore unable to take advantage of her rigging VR bonuses to reaction and Initiative (remembering the scene with Greedo & Han in the Mos Eisely cantina).
I also wasn't thinking of simply ditching the quality and losing the 20 BPs, but replacing it with other negative qualities (in part or total value).
I will admit, it is an interesting and challenging angle to play the smooth talking smuggler (hence the character's "quote"). Another level in the influence skill group could be a benefit (though still not sure where Leadership would come into play).
I totally agree on Uncouth and Infirm (I worked up a homegrown Infirm quality that was more like the original), and to a lesser degree, Uneducated.
knasser
Dec 27 2007, 10:19 PM
The Smuggler is very well done. It's the sample character I would have taken a stab at myself but it's much more useful to me to see Frank's take.
I also have an issue with Combat Paralysis, however. It's not as bad mechanically as people think (though you know if you play a character with it, you will inevitably die due to a failed surprise check), but it's not fun to role-play. It means that a character is terrified in combat - rabbit in headlights style. That could get very old very quickly. It depends how you see it, I suppose. It's just for me, a thing I wouldn't want to have to role-play. I would cobble together some other flaws for this character, perhaps a Severe Sunlight Allergy. She's a smuggler, after all.
kzt
Dec 27 2007, 11:28 PM
It can also represent someone who always totally freaks out when threatened. For example, they always talk when they should act. "How dare you point that gun at me!" There are multiple amusing ways to handle it.
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