To clear up the Runners Companion thread, & consolidate the answers into a single readable location, I have cut the questions & answers from the previous thread to post here. Any new questions, ask in this thread - I will try to keep the original post updated with all questions & answers for ease of reference. If I missed any questions from another thread, please re-post them here.

Please note, none of this is official until Catalyst releases an FAQ or Errata.


Questions & Answers

How exactly does the Distinctive Style Quality work?

The cost is listed as: 5 to 35 BP. Is that 5BP per level? I'm further confused because it then goes on to say that the quality gives a +3 die pool modifier and that you can take the quality multiple times but the max modifier is +6 - which implies that the quality can only be taken twice.

Is the +3 a typo and supposed to be a +1?

Synner
It can be taken multiple times for different features, each time providing a bonus of 5 BP. However, each time the Negative quality is taken, and approved by the gamemaster, anyone trying to locate and identify the character gets a +3. There is a typo in this writeup but its the bonus provided to people hunting you which should cap at +9. While you can take the Distinctive Style Negative quality up to 7 times (for 35 BP), the maximum bonus someone searching for you can benefit should be +9 (meaning that beyond a certain point—the third time the Quality is taken—being even more distinctive provides no additional bonuses to potential trackers.)


What contact ratings do group and online contacts get as a basis? How would, for instance, ShadowSea's and the Choson Ring's rating look like, could you give us an example?

the_dunner:
In my notes, I had the following:
ShadowSEA
Connection: 2(11) (Base 2 + Membership 6 + Area 2 + Matrix 1)

Komun’go Ring
Connection: 4(11) (Base 4+ Membership 4 + Area 2 + Magic 1)

Of course, these values are somewhat subjective -- which is probably why they were omitted. You may feel that the group's area of influence, base connection, or membership varies a bit. With larger groups, you won't necessarily have a connection with the entire membership. (As a RL example of a virtual contact, some DS members might have a connection with other members in the SR forum, but not in the "Welcome to the Shadows" forum.)


Infected and Metavariants: are those costs on top of or inplace of the Race BP cost?

Synner

This is clearly noted in the intro sections of each "Creating a XXXXX" entry.

Runner's Companion takes two distinct approaches to the various character options available:

* "Racial" options (including metavariants, the sapient species, shifters, AIs and Free spirits) taht are "exclusive" have a racial BP cost that replaces the typical metatype BP cost at CharGen.
* "Changed" options (including Infected, changelings, drakes) are treated as Qualities, since they are cumulative with different metatype choices. They are bought independently of the metatype BP cost (meaning a changeling character pays to be an Ork and then pays for the appropriate level of SURGE). As noted in the text, exceptionally, such qualities do not count towards your 35 BP limit.


If one takes Surge Qualities, does one get those Metagenic Qualities required by the Surge Quality Free? Or are they in addition, and the Surge Quality just enables you to take that many?

Synner
Buying one of the three levels of the SURGE quality (5 to 15 BPs) enables you to spend the additional BPs values listed on Positive and Negative Metagenetic qualities (and those alone). Note that gamemasters may reserve the right to assign your Negative Metagenetic quality BPs themselves to ensure balance.


I notice that several of the Infected and all the shape shifters have a Vulnerability weakness, that doesn't seem to appear in the BBB though, any idea what book I should look for it in.

Ancient History
Looks like we might have lost a Weakness in editing! Treat it as a Severe Allergy for the time being.


Hmmm would I be right in assuming buying the magician quality for a race/option/etc with a natural magic points doesn't get another free?

Ancient History
No, buying the Magician/Adept/Mystic Adept, etc. quality doesn't net you another Magic point for free. On the other hand, you can now initiate which is a good thing.


The survival tips section introductory fiction on page 20, fifth paragraph last sentence seems to just stop in mid-sentence.

the_dunner
That's on me. I've just double checked the original word document, and I apparently never finished the sentence, and never noticed it.

The missing words are "their stun batons."


Hey Devs or Freelancers where is:
Disease Carrier detailed for point costs and descriptions?

Synner
Disease Carrier was accidentally cut during editing and was a new mundane Negative quality that gave the character a chronic contagious disease. I'll post it to DSF later and it will be included in future Errata.


Arcane Arrester: Does the original Force or adjusted Force determine the Raw Hit limit for spells?

Synner
My ruling on this is that it the adjusted Force should limit hits as normal, however, the ambiguity of the writeup allows gamemasters to rule the other way if they want Arcane Arrester to be less powerful.


Infected Characters: Am I correct in assuming that since (IC) HMHVV-I can create magical aptitude in characters where none existed before and the Infected are Awakened, the player (OOC) can buy the Magician/Adept/Mystical Adept Qualities when the character gets Infected, even if Latent Awakening wasn't bought at character creation ?

Ancient History
No. Unless specifically stated, the character does not gain or can buy those Qualities just from being Infected.


Similar question for latent Drakes: if a character is such, since drakes are Awakened, can the player buy Magician/Adept/Mystical Adept when the dracoform manifests, even if he didn't buy Latent Awakening at character creation ?

Ancient History
Also no, see above except with "touched by a Dragon (pun intended)" instead of "Infected".


From reading the Infected chapter, I am left with the strong impression that the Infection Power, effectively, is nothing more than the HMHVV-I character sharing her blood fluids with the subject when it hits 0 Essence. Therefore, I wonder, is the actual presence of the Infected really necessary to "turn" someone, or a sample of Infected blood, or a purified sample of the virus suffices, if it's administed to a character before or just after it hits 0 Essence by whatever means ?

Ancient History
You need the Infection power to create HMHVV-I strain characters, as it requires a specific test to pass along the infection. Further details on the infection process may be forthcoming in the critters book some time down the line.


Following the same line of reasoning, is it possible for a 0.1+ Essence character to come in contact with HMHVV-I virus and become a carrier, and transform to a vampire or nosferatu if and when the character is drained to 0 Essence by whatever means, even much more later (from days to years) ?

Ancient History
No. Read the Carrier Negative Quality again; only one of the Infected with the Infection power can become a carrier for an HMHVV-I strain.


I've found an inconsistency. On p. 61 it says

Studies suggest
that HMHVV-positive individuals must consume
at least 1 percent of their body weight of appropriate
biomaterial each week or begin to suffer the
effects of malnutrition.

but on p. 78 it says

All Infected have a dietary requirement (p. 290, SR4); failure
to meet this dietary requirement (5% of their body weight per
week) results in slow starvation.

For an Infected of 80 kg, 0.8 kg of metahuman blood or flesh per week most definitely are not 4 kg. True, in most cases, it is going to be abstracted as part of the character's lifestyle, as per the Infected Lifestyle rule, but still, given the origin of the food, it's not trivial. Are the studies quoted on p. 61 uncorrect ?

Ancient History
In-character information always has the possibility of being incorrect or misleading. The rules on Dietary Requirement are correct.


Why does the cost of being a Changeling count against the 35 points of positive qualities allow at character generation when no other racial package counts against that same restriction?

Synner
Mainly for game balance and to ensure some level of rarity. Unlike many of the other "racial" options that have their own built-in restrictions, changeling abilities overlap and complement many augmentations and magical abilities, and designing changelings could potentially degenerate into an exercise in tweaking. While the extra cost won't stop this it will make it less appealing to anyone just looking for benefits (particularly for the more extreme SURGE options) since it will cut into your "Quality budget".


Arcane Arrester: Under the ruling that the adjusted Force is the limit on the caster's hits regarding that character:

1) Does Arcane Arrester adjust spells that do not affect the character, but they must still resist, such as Invisibility?
2) In the case of Indirect Combat spells, is the Force adjusted as the spell is cast, lowering the Raw Hits limit before the Defense roll, or after the subject is hit, reducing possible increases to damage from Net Hits, but not the chance of being hit?

Synner
1) It is a innante and uncontrollable ability which affects all magic effects against the character including stuff like Invisibility and Heal.

2)The latter. I've already noted this one for a FAQ reply.


Where is Warezhouse 24?

Synner
Warezhouse 24 is missing because it was a late addition intended to complement the material on the Cracker Underground in Unwired and not part of John Dunn's initial writeups.

Warezhouse 24 would be Connection: 3(13) (Base 3 + Membership 2 + Area 1 + Matrix 2) - I've made the Area of Influence limited to the Warezhouse 24 base of operations node hence only Area 1, however, were one to use the Warezhouse to recruit talent or hire botnets Area might even be considered global. As a rule of thumb the Area of Influence of a Virtual Contact should be in line with the group's actual function and effective ability to implement its agenda. This stat should be discussed with the gamemaster when taking a Virtual Contact.

Mainly for game balance and to ensure some level of rarity. Unlike many of the other "racial" options that have their own built-in restrictions, changeling abilities overlap and complement many augmentations and magical abilities, and designing changelings could potentially degenerate into an exercise in tweaking. While the extra cost won't stop this it will make it less appealing to anyone just looking for benefits (particularly for the more extreme SURGE options) since it will cut into your "Quality budget".


It is a innante and uncontrollable ability which affects all magic effects against the character including stuff like Invisibility and Heal.


The latter. I've already noted this one for a FAQ reply.

Good idea this thread! Even if I´m getting positivly giddy with all this talk about errata and FAQ questions I really appreciate it!

Where is Warehouse 24?

WMS

Its contents were shipped to Facility 342 in Tokyo (now Neo-Tokyo) in 2029. See Corporate Enclaves for details.

AH despite any appearances I was asking a serious question. Thank you for your attempt at humor.

WMS

OK Synner posted a list of contacts and organizations of contacts but one does not seem to be listed.

WarezHouse 24

RC page 130


WMS

Oh warezhouse. I misunderstood the reference.

in the first section of the book (page 17, 'on the grift'), improved attribute (charisma) is a recommended adept power for face characters. improved attribute cannot increase charisma, because charisma is not a physical attribute. in point of fact, there is no improved attribute power, there is only an improved *physical* attribute power.

Hmm
Exceptional Attribute Quality is both Mental and Physical
Improved Physical Attribute Adept Power is Physical Only
Genetic Optimization Geneware works on Mental and Physical
Biosculpting Optional Rule effects Charisma

but here is quote that should have some bearing
Munchkin



WMS

Warezhouse 24 is missing because it was a late addition intended to complement the material on the Cracker Underground in Unwired and not part of John Dunn's initial writeups.

Warezhouse 24 would be Connection: 3(13) (Base 3 + Membership 2 + Area 1 + Matrix 2) - I've made the Area of Influence limited to the Warezhouse 24 base of operations node hence only Area 1, however, were one to use the Warezhouse to recruit talent or hire botnets Area might even be considered global. As a rule of thumb the Area of Influence of a Virtual Contact should be in line with the group's actual function and effective ability to implement its agenda. This stat should be discussed with the gamemaster when taking a Virtual Contact.

Just for Clarification: Using the Priority Build system, do you still only use 1 skill point for a Skill Group? I did not see anything that said otherwise.

Yep. One point per rating. Clean and simple.

Besides, the cost of the skill group is already figured in, so you might as well take it. =i)

Is there anything preventing an Infected from taking the Type-O quality, & in the case of those with Regeneration, being able to accept standard Bioware?

Is there anything preventing an Infected from taking SURGE qualities, & gaining access to the Metagenetic qualities?


From your wording, I believe you may have misunderstood my original question; I was not asking about someone trying to make you invisible, I was asking about someone invisible trying to sneak past you. The spell in question is not affecting you, yet you must still resist it. Is it's Force (and thus maximum hits) reduced by Arcane Arrester for the purposes of you resisting someone else's invisibility so you can then see them?

What the heck are Enhanced Senses (in Creation for Infected, Drake, etc.)? Do you mean Enhanced Perception, and if so at what rank?

The Enhanced Senses critter powr (p.288, SR4); different critters have different Enhanced Senses. These include but are not limited to low-light and thermographic vision, enhanced smell and taste, etc.

Thanks.

Next question: what do they do? I mean, thermo vision's easy enough, but what does "enhanced hearing and smell" mean in-game?

Traditionally been ill-defined, but typical examples are tracking by scent, scent-bombs to throw off tracking by scent, composure tests in crowded/very smelly places, reading fear off people, that kind of thing.

I usually treat them as their cyber counterparts (if there are any).

There appears to be a slight discrepancy with shapeshifter stats. In any character with racial maximums at or above 6, there is always a 6 point spread from minimum to maximum. 1-6. 4-9. 7-12. Etc. And yet on the Jaguar/Leopard shifter, the Lion/Tiger shifter and the Bear shifter, their larger attributes seem to have swayed from this. Instead of 6 point spreads, there's as little as 4 and as much as 7. 5/8 for Agility for the Jaguar/Leopard and Lion/Tiger shifters, for example. And the 7/13 spread for Body and strength on Bears.

Is this a mistype?

As above, but note the Eagle shiter's Willpower is 3/9 (13). Following the normal guidelines, it would be 3/8 (12) or 4/9 (13).

Regarding the Shifter optional rule to have your human form actually be a metahuman of some sort, it states you pay 10 points less than the racial bp cost of that metatype and you inherit their abilities.

Does this mean only things like Low Light vision, or the reach bonus, or dermal armor, or whatever? Or are we talking additional stat mods?

If the former, it seems pointless in some combinations to choose ork or elf as some shifters get low-light vision already. So you'd pay 10-20 points for nothing at all.

If it's the latter, how does that affect the shifter stats? Combine the modifiers? Take the higher of the two values?

Clarification is definitely needed on this.

Also want clarification on this.

As do I.

Another quick clarification.

Bear stats, the "+1 Reach" doesn't have an asterisk next to it. Does that mean they retain that bonus in Metahuman form? Kinda a homage to the fluff that bear shifters make big people as well?

That was my take on it. Hopefully once the devs all get back from GenCon, we'll have some clarification on these issues.

Where do the extra 5 points come from for the Conenction rating of 13 for Warezhouse 24? 3+2+1+2 = 8.

I assume that comes from the 6->1 reduction of the area rating, and that 3[8] is indeed correct. Right?

Presently it's up to GM discretion. I could argue it both ways, adjusting any of the wrong attributes to the lesser or larger versions (5/10 vs 3/8, 7/12 vs 8/13, etc)

Personally I would put the cats at 5/10 for agility, because that's a cat's thing, being agile. Again totally up to the GM till we get a rulling.

The antiquities and oddities dealer-contact misses a capitalisation.... its AniH, not anih.

At the Group Contact table on page 124 the membership is referenced to a maximum of +6, but in the text at site 126 (large groups) and also at the example ratings in this thread, there are some with +8. So, is +6 (1.000+ members) the maximum or +8 (missing)?

Spoken like someone who does not own the four legged freight-trains...er...any cats. Trust me, cats are NOT agile..they are just good at acting like they meant to..run into te chair, fall of the sofa, flip over the ball they were chasing....

I'm thinking that unless a creature is good at all things defined by an attribute, I wouldn't give it a boost to the entire attribute.

Oh cats are quite agile, if they are allowed to be. As with humans talents get lost if you do not train them properly. Sure there are cats that are rather clumsy. Also we are not talking about housecats that, while still being basically agile, can "afford" a to be not and to have a more lazy lifestyle. However a maximum agility of 10 sounds a bit to much.

Cardul, don't assume you know me. I do own a cat. She can turn on a dime, do a full twist mid air, leap from one high spot to another without falling or wobbling and balance on 2" wide surfaces (she's a moderate to large grey shorthair tabby). Your cat may be full of clumsiness, that doesn't mean all of them are. Cats are *known* for being agile. One exception doesn't disprove that. My friend has a cat with pigeon-toed back legs, and as a result is no where near as graceful as other cats. Each one is different, but as a general rule, they are more agile than say, a dog or a bear.

Sounds impressive, but is that a high Agility or Gymnastics rating?

Both? Hehe

Unless I'm mistaken, the rules for Glamor seem to be missing.

No, they're on p. 113.

There's something I've found that doesn't make sense:
Page 93 of Runner's Companion, under Free Spirit Qualities it states "free spirits may choose any quality available to characters, except... any quality fromArsenal, Augmentation, or Unwired."
This would include the advanced rules for martial arts. Why couldn't some variety of spirit that is linked with warfare or martial arts itself know advanced martial arts techniques? I for one am including a house rule that allows specific qualities to be taken.

My other interesting not is that spirits apparently can't read a digital screen. I understand that they can't interpret simsense and AR-displays, but electronic displays on screens? Come on! This means they can't perceive light from a specific source with no explanation. I'm all for balance and keeping people from making elite-hacker spirits and such, but don't you think that's a little bit much? Can't I have a spirit who can at least own and operate a commlink? AR goggles shouldn't be a big deal either. They don't require the physiology that spirits lack, just the ability to perceive light and understand what's going on in front of your face. More house rules.

If I am understanding this correctly, this also means a Free Spirit could take Sensitive System, Sensitive Neural Structure, Scorched, Simsense Vertigo, etc.

When I finally get around to my Free Spirit re-write, I will be sure to include a specific list of Qualities they can & cannot take.

There's a thread around here somewhere that goes into that very question at ridiculous length. I'm sure you could do the same search I'd do to find it.


Er ... have you actually read page 93 in Runner's Companion?

A while ago - I don't have access to it at the moment, so I was going off Wilcrez's post, as implied (if not stated) with the quote.

Ah. Then I'll just tell you: the ellipsis in his quote removes a chunk of text that is not germane to his point but is quite relevant to yours. =i)

What is the maximum Edge for Shapeshifters? Sapient Critters (excepting Sprites) are noted as having a maximum of 5, but Shapeshifters are almost a seperate entry, so I'm not sure that apples to them. Should Edge for Shapeshfiters be 1/6 (the default) or 1/5 (as per Sapient Critters)?

Also, where is the text for the Vulnerability Weakness noted for Shapeshifters and some Infected?

AH mentioned that vulnerability was accidentally left out, and to treat it as an additional severe allergy for the time being. Shapeshifter edge I assumed was 1/6 as there was no text contradicting that (Sapient critters have their own section seperate, so I don't apply their info to shifters)

Ah, so they are. But in alphabetical order they are not.

So they have double the usual allergy penalties?

That's the workaround as I understood it. Basically treat is as a 20 point negative quality severe/common allergy. Errata should fix it for us though.

I'm not really fond of that solution, but that seems to be all we have at the moment. So much of Runner's Companion seems rushed and shoddy...

That seems like something that they could put out pretty quickly - assuming it really was ready and intended to be in the book in the first place.