I have accumulated several issues with the current version (1.1) of the FAQ. Instead of always nagging about it, I thought we could pool our answers to make a better one. One of my main interests would be to stop the FAQ from making up rules. So lets start this thing.

Is there anyone producing Shadowrun RPG books in languages other than English
- FanPro is dead, there is no german license.

Are there any character/Matrix/etc. generators for Shadowrun Fourth Edition?
- The first two links don´t work for me.

When can you break up a skill group into its component skills? Can you break it up during character creation? Can I break apart a skill group in order to buy a specialization for one of the skills? (also, next question)
- You can break apart a skill group whenever you want. We advise against breaking apart skill groups during character creation in order to keep it simple and counter min-maxing. Any time you improve a single skill within a skill group, that skill group no longer exists. You may not specialise the Skill Group (on a single skill), but you may specialise the skills within without disbanding the group. (1. "If the GM allows it" is much to weak. 2. Only specs on the group as a whole are forbidden.)

Isn't tossing a grenade on the ground by someone's feet (a Success Test) easier than trying to hit them directly with a grenade (an Opposed Test)? Does everyone caught in the blast get a chance to dodge/react?
- If you aim on the ground, any net hits you generate do not increase damage. Anyone caught in the area of effect still gets a defense roll, reducing damage (count as deviation reduction meters per success). (Straight-out contradicting RAW is plain wrong for an FAQ. We have to work within the rules and delegate changes to the Errata. You are supposed to fire at a specific target is no answer to "what if I don´t?".)

If you punch someone with shock gloves, do you inflict standard punching damage (STR/2) in addition to the glove's 6S DV? If you have gloves on both hands, can you attack with both and do 12S DV?
- Arsenal does feature rules for wielding two weapons. (Product endorsement is always good.)

Is it possible to use the called shot rule (p. 149, SR4) with Indirect Combat spells?
- Yes. (GM approval is part of the rules for called shots anyway, simple answers are better).

If a magician is using Counterspelling to help protect someone from a spell, can both the magician and the target use their Edge on the Resistance Test? If a magician is using Counterspelling to protect multiple targets and he uses Edge, do all of the targets receive the Edge bonus?
- Yes, both can use edge. Note that edge affects only ones own dice, so the targets edge does not affect the counterspelling dice, and the mages edge does not affect the resistance attribute dice. (Clearly legal by RAW. If RAW are considered a problem by the powers that be, by all means change them. It´s us that have to houserule and interpret.)

When casting an Indirect Combat spell, do you need to see the target? Or can you cast at a target completely behind cover since they use ranged combat rules?
- See the ruling on grenades targeted at the ground. The defense roll hits can be used directly here.

If your weapon focus requires fuel or power (monofilament chainsaw, vibroblade, laser crescent axe) does it work when you're astrally projecting?
- Yes. (Insert modified explanation of choice. I like the houserule, unsupported by RAW as it may be.)

In areas with aspected background count, if the background count is increased by artificial means (such as the Mana Static spell or plant life engineered to add background count) does the additional background count retain the aspect of the area?
- Delete "unless". (Its never cumulative, the stronger counts, always.)

Isn't encryption in SR4 too weak? Even the strongest encryption doesn't take a hacker with a decent Decrypt program very long to break.
- (This is were I am bound by the RAW. Longer intervals do not fix the key problem: Guranteed success. Waiting for Unwired.)

When you trigger an alert, will security automatically spot you, or do IC and security hackers still need to succeed in an Opposed Matrix Perception Test?
- Yes, unless you spoofed your matrix ID in the meantime. (The system knows the intruder. Security should query the system, and only start searching once the offending entity reported by the node can´t be seen. If you have five users logged in, and only one is attacked by the IC, which one is the offender? Only one attempt)

Does threading require an action? Does the -2 modifier from sustaining a threading affect all actions, including use of that complex form?
- (The question is unanswered in that it was likely aimed at "unlimited rerolls". The second part is sensible and should become an errata)

Does a sprite need to be in the same node as the technomancer to aid him with tasks such as Assist Operation, Sustain Complex Form, or Aid Study?
- Yes. Note that this limits the effect of "Assist Operation" to one node. (Valid interpretation of the service, but would IMO require putting this in the errata. Again. By RAW the sprite would only need to be in a node the TM is connected to, not THE node he wants help with.)



Good point for a break from this. Only one more, and only because it is a favourite of mine:
The errata notes that jumped-in riggers use their own skills plus the drone's Matrix/vehicle attributes. What Matrix/vehicle attributes apply to attacking, defending, damage resistance, and so on?
- (Some entries are fine, and Response as base is RAW. A reminder of handling could be in order)
Full Defense Dodge/Vehicle skill + Response (Vehicle skill is the option used even when not jumped in, should stay the primary option. This interpretation is the only thing forcing Riggers to buy Dodge, and lacks continuity. Yes, IMO Augmentation needs an errata.)

Anyone wants to help? Any comments?

When using two weapon ranged combat you must split your pool to shoot both weapons within the same simple action. If you were to shoot at the same target, does the target split his reaction/ dodge between shots or are they considered wholey seperate attacks, thus allowign the defender to use full reaction/ dodge vs. each shot.

In the BBB if you can take mutliple shots at the same target in the same action (ala two weapon combat) and you can melee attack multiple targets within the same complex action. Why can you not multiple attack the same target with the same complex action? Splitting your pool. (again woudl the defender have to split his defense or get full vs. every attack)

I assume from the OP that Arsenal does cover something liek this for melee.

Are Wired Reflexes compatible with Reaction Enhancers.
- Yes. The only restriction is that you cannot combine two sources of Initiative Enhancement (ie. IP boosters).

You are conducting two separate attacks, the target gets the full defense pool (-1 for having defended before on the second attack).



You can only multi-attack the same target in melee via two-weapon-combat (see arsenal). I´m not privy to why the rules are that way, but I suppose it has something to do with game balance (aka I would have houseruled that out immediately).

Im confused. Ryu you are a player or developer? You are disagreeing with these errata rulings and inserting your own answers??

I´m a player/GM that had problems with the quality of the FAQ rulings in the past. I thought I could do something productive instead of only bitching whenever one of the bad answers comes up in a discussion.

If you have *corrections* to the FAQ -- as in, actual mistakes, broken links, etc -- please do mail them to info@shadowrun4.com.

There already is a process? Yay!

Right at the bottom of the FAQ, it does say: This FAQ is maintained by Rob Boyle, the Shadowrun Line Developer. If you have suggested additions or changes, send them to info@shadowrun4.com.

Its good to know, one never reads the small print I guess. I have done so with the comments above (small rework to be more helpful). Thanks for the heads up.