There is just so much to absorb and understand in SR3 it's difficult for me to create a character and feel confident that it was done correctly. I would hate to finally find a local SR3 group to run with and then have everyone telling me I can't do this or that because ... whatever reason, or you can't have those, or you have to do this or that ... you get the point. I would really appreciate if someone would walk me through char-gen step by step and explain it to me so I know for certain I understand the "whys" and "hows"
I don't have much ideas thought out for his background yet except, like so many other street sams(I'm sure) he's either ex-military or ex-Lone Star. He has a best friend he grew up with on the streets of Seattle and has managed to keep in tough with. His best friend is a Troll Street Sam who I intend to create once I have a handle the char-gen process.
I Understand the basics of char-gen, it's the specifics that are tripping me up.
Anyway, any help would be sincerely appreciated.
Aspiring Shadowrun Player.
"Big Mo"
P.S.
I currently only have the SR3 Core Rulebook (that's the "BBB" right?) but I have recently bid on some books on ebay and have Sprawl Survival Guide, Man & Machine Cyberware, Canon Companion, and Corporate Download on the way. Anything else I need to get to help get me started??
Full Version: Help this noob create his first character
I'd try to narrow down your character concept a little bit before you started number crunching blindly.
Would you prefer a character that specializes in melee? gunfights? sniping?
Do you want to be a full on combat specialist, or do you want to diversify (for example a Sammie could also be a leader/tactician, or ex-detective, or intimidator, or bodyguard/security expert, or you name it.)
You don't necessarily need to come up with some complicated back story for these kind of choices yet, just get an idea of what you want your runner to be good at.
Also, the way I learned the chargen process was to try to use the rules to create the pre-made characters in the book from scratch. I found it a good way to test my understanding of the rules.
Would you prefer a character that specializes in melee? gunfights? sniping?
Do you want to be a full on combat specialist, or do you want to diversify (for example a Sammie could also be a leader/tactician, or ex-detective, or intimidator, or bodyguard/security expert, or you name it.)
You don't necessarily need to come up with some complicated back story for these kind of choices yet, just get an idea of what you want your runner to be good at.
Also, the way I learned the chargen process was to try to use the rules to create the pre-made characters in the book from scratch. I found it a good way to test my understanding of the rules.
"Street Samurai" covers a lot of ground. One of the biggest questions is, do you mean a true Samurai (one who lives by a code of honor) or a merc, weapons specialist, or other character who does not have that code of honor?
The first step should be to refine your concept as much as you can before looking at numbers. It may or may not get very far, but every little bit helps. As yourself a few key questions:
worth of cyber crammed into his body. Why'd he have that done? Where'd he get the gear and the money? Does he suffer bouts of depression from it? Does he still have strong emotions? Tip: This is another place that naturally born orks and trolls sometimes get hit. Age is important for cyberware. While it's reasonable that a 20 year old might have some light cyber, he'd need a good reason to have the kind of suite a 35 year old ex-merc might have.
Okay, that's enough from me for a while. There are other lists of questions out there (Bull had a 50 questions, and there's a 20 questions in the SR Companion) that will help you with fleshing the character out.
The first step should be to refine your concept as much as you can before looking at numbers. It may or may not get very far, but every little bit helps. As yourself a few key questions:
- What is my character's reason for being a shadowrunner?
- How does my character handle social situations?
- How does my character handle runs?
- What is your character's race and how does it affect his world view?
- In a fight, how does your character handle himself?
- Point A and Point B. How do you bridge the distance between them?
- Besides combat, what can you actually do?
- Who do you know that can help you?
- What kind of cyberware does your character have, how did he get it, and why did he want it? How does he handle the loss of his basic humanity (ie, essence)? Given the chance, would he have more installed or the current 'ware upgraded?
worth of cyber crammed into his body. Why'd he have that done? Where'd he get the gear and the money? Does he suffer bouts of depression from it? Does he still have strong emotions? Tip: This is another place that naturally born orks and trolls sometimes get hit. Age is important for cyberware. While it's reasonable that a 20 year old might have some light cyber, he'd need a good reason to have the kind of suite a 35 year old ex-merc might have.Okay, that's enough from me for a while. There are other lists of questions out there (Bull had a 50 questions, and there's a 20 questions in the SR Companion) that will help you with fleshing the character out.
TinkerGnome's post is an excellent way to flesh out the basics of your character. I think I would start with the basic concept you want to play (shotgun toting ex-SWAT entry-man, pistol and axe-wielding ex-ganger, troll brick with a heavy weapon and a big sword, etc), and then go on through the questions in TinkerGnome's post. As a suggestion, I generally consider the following skills as "necessary" for all 'Runners to have (it could just be a 1 or a 2, but these are the skills that to me say "'Runner"):
Etiquette (even if you're a huge troll with a huge gun, you're going to have to sweet-talk someone sometime--there's always someone with a bigger gun).
Athletics (it's called Shadowrun for a reason).
Stealth (if they can't see you, they can't shoot you).
A Melee Skill (sooner or later, someone's going to try to hit you, and you don't want to be defaulting to Strength when they do).
A Ranged Skill (be it pistols, pull-bows, throwing weapons, or Heavy Weapons, when someone's shooting at you, you want some way of shooting back--note, Sorcery counts if you can cast spells).
Some characters can get away with not having one or more of these skills (Deckers or Riggers, for instance, often forgoe Athletics), but in general, a Shadowrunner who expects to accompany the team on insertions should have all five of them.
Etiquette (even if you're a huge troll with a huge gun, you're going to have to sweet-talk someone sometime--there's always someone with a bigger gun).
Athletics (it's called Shadowrun for a reason).
Stealth (if they can't see you, they can't shoot you).
A Melee Skill (sooner or later, someone's going to try to hit you, and you don't want to be defaulting to Strength when they do).
A Ranged Skill (be it pistols, pull-bows, throwing weapons, or Heavy Weapons, when someone's shooting at you, you want some way of shooting back--note, Sorcery counts if you can cast spells).
Some characters can get away with not having one or more of these skills (Deckers or Riggers, for instance, often forgoe Athletics), but in general, a Shadowrunner who expects to accompany the team on insertions should have all five of them.
Its relativly easy to actually build a character once youve thought thru the ideas Tinker did such a dam good job outlining.
If you want, post a breif reply to that process with your ideas on your char. Im sure me or someone else can then layout the basics for the numbers side.
If you want, post a breif reply to that process with your ideas on your char. Im sure me or someone else can then layout the basics for the numbers side.
Charater creation is similar to having a child. Once you've actually made the thing, all you can think about is what great things he or she is gonna do...Then you start thinking about all the bad things that can happen to him or her. 
Or did you want a sample build? I can do that too, but my ideas for a sam are most likey not in line with what you want--just 'cause we're different RPers. If you answer some of the above questions, the others and I can provide templates.
Oh yeah, welcome aboard!
Or did you want a sample build? I can do that too, but my ideas for a sam are most likey not in line with what you want--just 'cause we're different RPers. If you answer some of the above questions, the others and I can provide templates.
Oh yeah, welcome aboard!
I don't remember if 3rd Ed has it but older Ed's had like a 20 questions. Be less concerned with the number crunching than the character himself. As long as you're just using the core book it's hard to create something a group won't allow.
The 20 questions in the SR Comp now. I know someone has a copy online. I'll see if I can find it Monday when I get to my work comp. Strangely enough, most of my SR stuff is on that.
Tinkergnome's monster-super-huge posts, take 2. This post is really only for use once you've established the basics of your character already and are ready to start crunching numbers.
Okay, once you have the basic ideas behind your character, it's time to start picking out attributes, skills, gear, and cyberware. Let's go through it step by step.
You can go ahead and establish your choices for priorities (this is the simplest method, so go ahead and use it... there is one more official character generation system, and two unofficial character generation systems which float around here, but we'll stick with priority). I'm going to talk about what I picked for my elven street sam and why with a lot of this, just by means of example. The character's background fits with these choices, as well, but I'm not going to talk about that too much.
For priorities, I chose:
A - Resources (1,000,000 )
B - Attributes (27 points)
C - Race (elf)
D - Skills (30)
E - Magic (mundane)
With the priority system, resources and skills both offer more bang for your buck the higher they are (compare the jumps between A and B for both and the jumps between C and D. Significantly different). The attribute category is flat with 3 points difference all the way between A and E. Race is just race, and magic is just magic. Usually, you set magic and race first and then fit the others in. A street sam usually has resources as either A or B. Skills can be really important or you can push them down the pile a bit, that's really a personal choice.
Attributes
Okay, let's take a look at them one by one.
Body
Body does a few things for you. It determines your ability to resist damage, your ability to resist drugs and toxins, and your ability to train a small set of skills (including athletics). Since we're looking at a street sam here, we'll want to set this at least above average, at 4+.
The Elf: For the elf samurai, I chose body 5. He's got to be in top physical shape, after all, if he wants to survive.
Quickness
Quickness is possibly the most important stat for a combat character. It's half of reaction, it determines how high you can raise your firearms and stealth skills, and it determines how fast you can move. A street sam generally wants this as high as he can afford, generally as high or higher than all other attributes.
The Elf: For the elf samurai, I chose quickness 6. He's fast, and he's agile, which is going to come in handy. He also gets a racial +1 to quickness, giving him a value of 7 for even more fun.
Strength
Strength is one of those attributes you either set very high or very low. It helps you with encumberance, with unarmed combat, and with throwing weapons. These skills can be critical or they can be not-so-important. If you're using Cannon Companion, high strength can also provide a little bit of recoil compensation (6+ gives you RC 1, 12+ gives you RC 2).
The Elf: Because the elf's concept is going to be assault rifles and a bit of unarmed combat, so I set his strength high, at 6. That extra recoil comp will also come in handy since it means you don't have to worry about compensating most SA weapons.
Charisma
Charisma cover social skills and might also come into play if you're forced to go against a spirit with a force of will attack. You do do NOT want to play with a charisma less than 2. Really. I mean it. With a street sam, you don't need loads of charisma (usually), but you don't want too little, either. I'd settle for somewhere in the 2-4 range, myself.
The Elf: Party of the elf's concept is that he's homely (for an elf). I set his cha at 1, which rises to 3 with the racial modifiers.
Intelligence
Okay, intelligence is a funny one. It's how smart you are, but it's also how perceptive you are. Street sams want a fair bit of intelligence because they need to be alert. I'd set this at 4+.
The Elf: Another part of the elf's concept is that he's good at spotting trouble. I set this one at 5. He's not really that intelligent, he's just ultra-aware.
Willpower
Willpower doesn't do very many things for a mundane, but the things it does are important. This is the attribute that resists mana spells (ie, manabolt) and overcomes some spells and spell powers (ie, confusion). Don't skimp here, but you also probably don't have the points to get it really high. I'd settle for a 3-5 most of the time.
The Elf: The elf's pretty average in terms of willpower. I set this at 4. It's not high enough to save him from a mana spell, but it's high enough that it's not overly easy to nail him with one.
Skills
Skills are where your concept really comes into play. Basiclly, active skills are broken down into Breakdown/Repair, Combat, Magical, Physical, Social, Technical, and Vehicle. Buy according to what fits your character and what you have points for. Because the Elf is going to be using skillwires, I have a lot of freedom at this point. The skills I chose were:
Pistols 6
Assault Rifles/Ares Alpha 5/7
Unarmed Combat/Wildcat Marital Arts 3/5 (note that if you're using CC's martial arts, this works differently)
Throwing Weapons 2 (for grenades)
Athletics 4
Stealth 6
Etiquette 2
This leaves him with no Vehicle or Breakdown/Repair skills and few Social skills. This will be fixed with skillchips later. Obviously he's not going to need any Magical skills.
Cyberware
With a street sam, cyberware (and bioware, if you have Man and Machine) is going to be a big deal. Most street samurai will have some sort of reflex boost, and a smartlink. The rest is all to your taste.
The Elf spent 612k on cyberware, and a lot of it was from other books, so I won't go through all of it, but here are the highlights of what is in the BBB:
Skillwires R4
Wired Reflexes II (Alphaware)
Reflex Trigger for Reflexes (Alphaware)
Datajack (Alphaware)
Chipjack (Alphaware)
Ear replacement with hearing amp and dampner (Alphaware)
Smartlink (Alphaware) -- Actually, Smartlink 2 from Man and Machine
You'll notice I use a lot of alphaware. Part of the reason I blew all of that extra cash is to cram in more essence worth of gear, but another part is that it's simply better quality cyber. Alphaware is harder to spot with detectors and damage than standard 'ware (rules for damage to cyberware appear in Man and Machine).
If you have a natural vision mode, it is generally a bad idea to replace your eyes. Go with retinal mods, instead.
Gear
Weapons and armor aren't generally that tough to pick out. Go with what fits your skills and you're generally fine. A few grenades never hurt anyone, either. Some items you probably don't want to forget:
Okay, once you have the basic ideas behind your character, it's time to start picking out attributes, skills, gear, and cyberware. Let's go through it step by step.
You can go ahead and establish your choices for priorities (this is the simplest method, so go ahead and use it... there is one more official character generation system, and two unofficial character generation systems which float around here, but we'll stick with priority). I'm going to talk about what I picked for my elven street sam and why with a lot of this, just by means of example. The character's background fits with these choices, as well, but I'm not going to talk about that too much.
For priorities, I chose:
A - Resources (1,000,000
)B - Attributes (27 points)
C - Race (elf)
D - Skills (30)
E - Magic (mundane)
With the priority system, resources and skills both offer more bang for your buck the higher they are (compare the jumps between A and B for both and the jumps between C and D. Significantly different). The attribute category is flat with 3 points difference all the way between A and E. Race is just race, and magic is just magic. Usually, you set magic and race first and then fit the others in. A street sam usually has resources as either A or B. Skills can be really important or you can push them down the pile a bit, that's really a personal choice.
Attributes
Okay, let's take a look at them one by one.
Body
Body does a few things for you. It determines your ability to resist damage, your ability to resist drugs and toxins, and your ability to train a small set of skills (including athletics). Since we're looking at a street sam here, we'll want to set this at least above average, at 4+.
The Elf: For the elf samurai, I chose body 5. He's got to be in top physical shape, after all, if he wants to survive.
Quickness
Quickness is possibly the most important stat for a combat character. It's half of reaction, it determines how high you can raise your firearms and stealth skills, and it determines how fast you can move. A street sam generally wants this as high as he can afford, generally as high or higher than all other attributes.
The Elf: For the elf samurai, I chose quickness 6. He's fast, and he's agile, which is going to come in handy. He also gets a racial +1 to quickness, giving him a value of 7 for even more fun.
Strength
Strength is one of those attributes you either set very high or very low. It helps you with encumberance, with unarmed combat, and with throwing weapons. These skills can be critical or they can be not-so-important. If you're using Cannon Companion, high strength can also provide a little bit of recoil compensation (6+ gives you RC 1, 12+ gives you RC 2).
The Elf: Because the elf's concept is going to be assault rifles and a bit of unarmed combat, so I set his strength high, at 6. That extra recoil comp will also come in handy since it means you don't have to worry about compensating most SA weapons.
Charisma
Charisma cover social skills and might also come into play if you're forced to go against a spirit with a force of will attack. You do do NOT want to play with a charisma less than 2. Really. I mean it. With a street sam, you don't need loads of charisma (usually), but you don't want too little, either. I'd settle for somewhere in the 2-4 range, myself.
The Elf: Party of the elf's concept is that he's homely (for an elf). I set his cha at 1, which rises to 3 with the racial modifiers.
Intelligence
Okay, intelligence is a funny one. It's how smart you are, but it's also how perceptive you are. Street sams want a fair bit of intelligence because they need to be alert. I'd set this at 4+.
The Elf: Another part of the elf's concept is that he's good at spotting trouble. I set this one at 5. He's not really that intelligent, he's just ultra-aware.
Willpower
Willpower doesn't do very many things for a mundane, but the things it does are important. This is the attribute that resists mana spells (ie, manabolt) and overcomes some spells and spell powers (ie, confusion). Don't skimp here, but you also probably don't have the points to get it really high. I'd settle for a 3-5 most of the time.
The Elf: The elf's pretty average in terms of willpower. I set this at 4. It's not high enough to save him from a mana spell, but it's high enough that it's not overly easy to nail him with one.
Skills
Skills are where your concept really comes into play. Basiclly, active skills are broken down into Breakdown/Repair, Combat, Magical, Physical, Social, Technical, and Vehicle. Buy according to what fits your character and what you have points for. Because the Elf is going to be using skillwires, I have a lot of freedom at this point. The skills I chose were:
Pistols 6
Assault Rifles/Ares Alpha 5/7
Unarmed Combat/Wildcat Marital Arts 3/5 (note that if you're using CC's martial arts, this works differently)
Throwing Weapons 2 (for grenades)
Athletics 4
Stealth 6
Etiquette 2
This leaves him with no Vehicle or Breakdown/Repair skills and few Social skills. This will be fixed with skillchips later. Obviously he's not going to need any Magical skills.
Cyberware
With a street sam, cyberware (and bioware, if you have Man and Machine) is going to be a big deal. Most street samurai will have some sort of reflex boost, and a smartlink. The rest is all to your taste.
The Elf spent 612k
on cyberware, and a lot of it was from other books, so I won't go through all of it, but here are the highlights of what is in the BBB:Skillwires R4
Wired Reflexes II (Alphaware)
Reflex Trigger for Reflexes (Alphaware)
Datajack (Alphaware)
Chipjack (Alphaware)
Ear replacement with hearing amp and dampner (Alphaware)
Smartlink (Alphaware) -- Actually, Smartlink 2 from Man and Machine
You'll notice I use a lot of alphaware. Part of the reason I blew all of that extra cash is to cram in more essence worth of gear, but another part is that it's simply better quality cyber. Alphaware is harder to spot with detectors and damage than standard 'ware (rules for damage to cyberware appear in Man and Machine).
If you have a natural vision mode, it is generally a bad idea to replace your eyes. Go with retinal mods, instead.
Gear
Weapons and armor aren't generally that tough to pick out. Go with what fits your skills and you're generally fine. A few grenades never hurt anyone, either. Some items you probably don't want to forget:
- A fake ID of mid or high rating (4+)
- A tranciever with a little bit of encryption (Encryption rating 3+, generally)
- Ammo and lots of it. Spare clips, as well.
- A vehicle of some sort.
- A couple of months of lifestyle
Tinkergnome did a great job hitting the roleplaying questions, so I will address the issue of building a street samurai, in general terms. I don't know what cyber your GM will allow, or whether he will allow bioware (which is in Man & Machine) or not, so this will be general advice.
Cyberware
A street samurai can have many skills, but the main thing you are is muscle. You are there to take out the opposition, protect your other teammates, and handle the brunt of enemy fire. So you need at least 3 basic things:
1) A smartlink. This is one of the most important tools you have. It gives you a bonus to your Target Numbers to hit people with guns, and is so essential that most mundanes who are combat-oriented at all will have it.
2) A speed boost. A street samurai is effective because by the time the other guys can react, he's killed a few of them. The more people you shoot first, the less people shooting at your team afterwards. Speed is what give the sammie an edge against most opponents. You will probably want Wired Reflexes: 2 - minimum. Be sure to take a reflex trigger, though, so you won't shoot a teammate who taps you on the back by mistake.
3) Toughness-enhancing cyberware. A street samurai is on the front lines, so he needs to be durable. There is bone lacing, dermal plating, and, in Man & Machine, dermal sheathing. They add to your Body Attribute, helping you to resist damage.
I recommend Resources of A or B.
Gear
You want the weapons you are skilled in (and don't forget to buy ammo), usually with internal smartlinks. You want good body armor (the armored jacket gives the most protection, but a lined coat helps you to conceal weapons better - also, with a good Quickness, you can layer armor for more protection). Other essentials:
*Fake ID: A good fake credstick helps you when police want to see your I.D. or you want to do one of the many things that you normally need a valid S.I.N. for.
*DocWagon Contract: A high-threat medical response team will pick you up when you get wounded. It can be literally a life-saver.
*Lifestyles: Don't forget these! And remember, transportation, such as a tube pass or a leased commuter car, comes with the various lifestyle levels, so you don't need to buy a vehicle unless you plan on driving during the run.
*Contacts: Your bread and butter. They can help you find things out, give you information that you need, buy your ill-gotten loot, or help you acquire your less-than legal weapons and other gear.
Skills
My list is very similar to Roadspike's -
*Pistols: a general-purpose, easily concealable weapon. You probably want 6.
*A heavier weapon: get something like assault rifle or shotgun, to handle the toughest opponents. You want a 5 or a 6.
*Etiquette: You want a minimum of 2 here, just to be able to function.
*Stealth: The multi-purpose sneaking skill. I recommend 4 at least.
*Unarmed Combat: you want 6 here, unless you favor using a weapon in melee combat, in which case give that skill the 6, and this one slightly lower. It is vital to have a high skill in melee combat! Melee combat is a dice contest, where the one with the most successes wins. You can take damage when "attacking" or do damage when "defending". A ranged weapon skill of 3 only misses more often. A melee skill of 3 means you will get beat up... badly.
Those are the absolute essentials. Other good ones:
*Athletics: the general skill for running, jumping, etc. With your high Body, you can get away with defaulting to this skill... barely. Very useful, nearly making the essential list.
*Negotiation: nearly as useful as etiquette, helpful to have any time you are bargaining with someone.
*Biotech with the First Aid specialization: great for patching up yourself or your teammates, and combined with magical healing it can be far more effective than magical healing by itself.
*Car or Computer: while you may not do much hacking or make switchback turns, having these at a low level could represent a general competence at driving or using a computer.
Attributes
You will want all of your Physical Attributes to be high, as well as your Intelligence. A high Willpower is also highly recommended. Street samurais are very demanding on your Attribute points. The old cliche of the street samurai with the low Charisma arises, in part, because Charisma is about the only stat where it doesn't have to be high. Attributes should be Priority A or B (Attributes and Resources take the top two Priority slots. If you are using the point build system, buy 60 points of Attributes and spend 25 or 30 points on Resources).
This is the basic samurai build. I encourage you to customize it based on the personality of your character and the role he will be playing. But remember, while a good background is very important, having decent skills and stats is, also. Success depends on things like dice rolls and modifiers, so you want to make a character who won't get killed in the first round of combat.
Cyberware
A street samurai can have many skills, but the main thing you are is muscle. You are there to take out the opposition, protect your other teammates, and handle the brunt of enemy fire. So you need at least 3 basic things:
1) A smartlink. This is one of the most important tools you have. It gives you a bonus to your Target Numbers to hit people with guns, and is so essential that most mundanes who are combat-oriented at all will have it.
2) A speed boost. A street samurai is effective because by the time the other guys can react, he's killed a few of them. The more people you shoot first, the less people shooting at your team afterwards. Speed is what give the sammie an edge against most opponents. You will probably want Wired Reflexes: 2 - minimum. Be sure to take a reflex trigger, though, so you won't shoot a teammate who taps you on the back by mistake.
3) Toughness-enhancing cyberware. A street samurai is on the front lines, so he needs to be durable. There is bone lacing, dermal plating, and, in Man & Machine, dermal sheathing. They add to your Body Attribute, helping you to resist damage.
I recommend Resources of A or B.
Gear
You want the weapons you are skilled in (and don't forget to buy ammo), usually with internal smartlinks. You want good body armor (the armored jacket gives the most protection, but a lined coat helps you to conceal weapons better - also, with a good Quickness, you can layer armor for more protection). Other essentials:
*Fake ID: A good fake credstick helps you when police want to see your I.D. or you want to do one of the many things that you normally need a valid S.I.N. for.
*DocWagon Contract: A high-threat medical response team will pick you up when you get wounded. It can be literally a life-saver.
*Lifestyles: Don't forget these! And remember, transportation, such as a tube pass or a leased commuter car, comes with the various lifestyle levels, so you don't need to buy a vehicle unless you plan on driving during the run.
*Contacts: Your bread and butter. They can help you find things out, give you information that you need, buy your ill-gotten loot, or help you acquire your less-than legal weapons and other gear.
Skills
My list is very similar to Roadspike's -
*Pistols: a general-purpose, easily concealable weapon. You probably want 6.
*A heavier weapon: get something like assault rifle or shotgun, to handle the toughest opponents. You want a 5 or a 6.
*Etiquette: You want a minimum of 2 here, just to be able to function.
*Stealth: The multi-purpose sneaking skill. I recommend 4 at least.
*Unarmed Combat: you want 6 here, unless you favor using a weapon in melee combat, in which case give that skill the 6, and this one slightly lower. It is vital to have a high skill in melee combat! Melee combat is a dice contest, where the one with the most successes wins. You can take damage when "attacking" or do damage when "defending". A ranged weapon skill of 3 only misses more often. A melee skill of 3 means you will get beat up... badly.
Those are the absolute essentials. Other good ones:
*Athletics: the general skill for running, jumping, etc. With your high Body, you can get away with defaulting to this skill... barely. Very useful, nearly making the essential list.
*Negotiation: nearly as useful as etiquette, helpful to have any time you are bargaining with someone.
*Biotech with the First Aid specialization: great for patching up yourself or your teammates, and combined with magical healing it can be far more effective than magical healing by itself.
*Car or Computer: while you may not do much hacking or make switchback turns, having these at a low level could represent a general competence at driving or using a computer.
Attributes
You will want all of your Physical Attributes to be high, as well as your Intelligence. A high Willpower is also highly recommended. Street samurais are very demanding on your Attribute points. The old cliche of the street samurai with the low Charisma arises, in part, because Charisma is about the only stat where it doesn't have to be high. Attributes should be Priority A or B (Attributes and Resources take the top two Priority slots. If you are using the point build system, buy 60 points of Attributes and spend 25 or 30 points on Resources).
This is the basic samurai build. I encourage you to customize it based on the personality of your character and the role he will be playing. But remember, while a good background is very important, having decent skills and stats is, also. Success depends on things like dice rolls and modifiers, so you want to make a character who won't get killed in the first round of combat.
Glyph, mine's prettier
I do disagree with body boosting cyber being a must have. It's nice, and certainly a valid choice, but most of it greatly reduces your ability to blend in with society (dermal sheath and plating are both pretty obvious, and the good bone lacings light up a MADs like a Christmas tree).
The alternative is to go with stuff that makes you hard to see or attack (high stealth skill and/or ruthenium polymer suits from Man and Machine do this job well). The elf had a ruthenium cloak with 8 scanners and some thermal dampening (from Cannon Companion). The basic theory being that you can get away with less body if your opponent has a lot higher TN to hit you.
I do disagree with body boosting cyber being a must have. It's nice, and certainly a valid choice, but most of it greatly reduces your ability to blend in with society (dermal sheath and plating are both pretty obvious, and the good bone lacings light up a MADs like a Christmas tree).
The alternative is to go with stuff that makes you hard to see or attack (high stealth skill and/or ruthenium polymer suits from Man and Machine do this job well). The elf had a ruthenium cloak with 8 scanners and some thermal dampening (from Cannon Companion). The basic theory being that you can get away with less body if your opponent has a lot higher TN to hit you.
| QUOTE (TinkerGnome) |
| Unarmed Combat/Wildcat Marital Arts 3/5 |
TKG--Great work on the posts, but that's going to be a hell of a dating life...
How's he going to get a date in the first place with an etiquette of 2? Besides which, any chica willing to date a street sam with more cyber than most street gangs can handle herself It's only stun damage, after all
It's only stun damage, after all
Wow! So much good stuff here. Okay, let me get to work on the 20 questions thing and see what I can come up with. I'm afraid most of answers will be so cliche. Thanks SO much guys. You really put a lot of work in those posts (especially you TinkerGnome)
Sort of an obvious statement, but a lot of choices will depend on the style of game. Make sure to be clear on any house rules that are being used. Those factors can make some gear/cyberware/spells either useless or essential, as compared to a different game.
Unless going with a "weapon specialist" (firearms or melee), where you frequently could be using a variety of weapons, I like to specialize all combat skills, except Unarmed.
A note on reflex triggers- if not using the Effects of Increased Reflexes rules (pg 45 Man and Machine) AND you're in the kind of game where illegal cyberware won't be an (big) issue, then don't bother with one. The Essence and nuyen could be better spent elsewhere. Even if those rules are used, find out generally how bad it'll be to go without a Reflex Trigger. It makes detecting the wired reflexes a lot harder, but you can be screwed in surprise situations (it takes a Simple Action to turn the WR on).
A piece of cyberware I like, but isn't "necessary" is the balance augmenter (pg 13 M&M).
Unless going with a "weapon specialist" (firearms or melee), where you frequently could be using a variety of weapons, I like to specialize all combat skills, except Unarmed.
A note on reflex triggers- if not using the Effects of Increased Reflexes rules (pg 45 Man and Machine) AND you're in the kind of game where illegal cyberware won't be an (big) issue, then don't bother with one. The Essence and nuyen could be better spent elsewhere. Even if those rules are used, find out generally how bad it'll be to go without a Reflex Trigger. It makes detecting the wired reflexes a lot harder, but you can be screwed in surprise situations (it takes a Simple Action to turn the WR on).
A piece of cyberware I like, but isn't "necessary" is the balance augmenter (pg 13 M&M).
I think the indication is that he didn't have a specific gaming group yet, which kind of precludes house rules and the like. Because of that, I think the best course of action is to generally err on the side of caution and go with things like the reflex trigger.
Also, I should probably make it clear that the cyber I listed was what the elf sam had picked up and not my "recomended list" for anyone else's character. I do generally like wired better than other types of reflex boosts if I can afford it, but that may just be me.
Also, I went with specializations for things which I didn't intend to use two different ways (throwing weapons would have been specialized to grenades if it'd been any higher -- going to 2/4 costs 5 karma from 1/3 or 3 karma from 2, if your stat is 4+). Pistols I'd avoid specializing since you'll generally have more than one weapon that you use. A dart pistol, taser, Predator, and AVS, for instance, would all use the same base skill.
Also, I should probably make it clear that the cyber I listed was what the elf sam had picked up and not my "recomended list" for anyone else's character. I do generally like wired better than other types of reflex boosts if I can afford it, but that may just be me.
Also, I went with specializations for things which I didn't intend to use two different ways (throwing weapons would have been specialized to grenades if it'd been any higher -- going to 2/4 costs 5 karma from 1/3 or 3 karma from 2, if your stat is 4+). Pistols I'd avoid specializing since you'll generally have more than one weapon that you use. A dart pistol, taser, Predator, and AVS, for instance, would all use the same base skill.
I'm finding as I write up my adept that I'm running horrifically low on skill points, like down to under 30. Is this normal, or is there something I'm just not thinking of cutting?
Okay, here is what I have so far. There is still plenty of stuff left unaccounted for I know, but this is a start. I also have an idea of how I want this character to look, act and some the weapons I want him to carry. So, at the risk of being laughed at 
... here goes.
Answering MOST of TinkerGnomes questions:
1. Why is my character a shadowrunner?
My Character, "Tex" was a bouncer at some hole-in-the-wall strip joint in Santa Fe, New Mexico - Pueblo Corporate Council. "Tex" grew tired of his low quality of life and decided to try his hand as a Bounty Hunter. Growing more accustomed to the increase of nuyen, he decided to bid farewell to Santa Fe and his job there, moving to Seattle where there was more action (and Nuyen) to be found. Bounty Hunting eventually lead him to the shadows where he has been a runner ever since.
2. How does my character handle social situations?
"Tex" is the silent intimidator type relying more on his "You wouldn't like me when I'm angry" 'charm.'
3. How does my character handle runs?
"Tex" is a stone cold professional.
4. What race is my character?
"Tex" is human and is not racist an any way.
5. How does my character handle himself in a fight?
"Tex" is the type who will blaze away while seeking cover. Shoot first ask questions later.
6. How does my character get from A to B?
This one I struggled with some. I know if I hook up with a team there will most likely be a rigger and I won't need transportation of my own, however, I wanted "Tex" to have a Harley Davidson motorcycle ... an "older" one, like a 2012 'FATBOY' model instead of a 2063 model. Is this doable and if so, should I spend the nuyen or let it be?
7. What can my character actually DO?
I haven't answered this one yet. I wanted to wait and see how some other things come together .. maybe that would give me some ideas. Maybe he's really good at B/E so he would be a wiz with maglocks?? Maybe something to better play into his bounty hunter history??
8. Who does my character know that can help - Contacts?
A.)A Stripper who moved to Seattle from the Santa Fe strip club. (lvl 2)
B.)A Fixer who goes by the alias "Lich" (lvl 1)
C.)A Bounty Hunter who knew "Tex" during his Bounty Hunter days. (lvl 1)
D.)A Mafia member who is a friend of a friend (lvl 1) [If I can do this one??]
9. What Cyberware does my character have and why did he get it?
Haven't decided which Cyberware to get yet. I wanted to wait and see how much nuyen I would have to spend and get your advice. But, the reason he got it is because he wants to have the edge, be at the top of his game .. and because he could afford it. He doesn't give much thought to the effect of the cyberware on his humanity. As long as his thoughts and emotions are still his own, he is fine with it.
Now, what I was THINKING .. if it wouldn't be to rediculously stupid to do ... is have this character wear an armor plated/kevlar lined (whatever) westorn style duster and a stetson hat and wrap around shades. Synthdenim jeans, maybe some t-shirt advertising the strip joint where he used to work and some combat boots. That's the look I had in mind. He looks like a futuristic cowboy. He even has the handlebar mustache long sideburns and 5 o'clock shadow where his beard would be. Most of the time he is chewing on an unlit cigar. He rides an "old" Harley Davidson and carries twin ingram smartguns holsted to either thigh and carries a Defiance T-250 shotgun on his harley. (Just to maybe give you a better idea about "Tex" to help you assist me in fleshing him out)
Here is his Priority List:
A- Resources(1,000,000)
B- Attributes(27)
C- Skills(34)
D- Magic(mundane)
E- Race(Human)
ATTRIBUTES
Body-5
Quickness-6
Strength-6
Charisma-2
Intelligence-6
Willpower-2
Essence-6
Magic-0
Reaction-6
SKILLS
Athletics-5
Stealth-5
SMGs-6
Shotguns-6
Etiquette[Street]-2(4)
Unarmed Combat-5
Bikes-3 *
{maybe a 3(5) Harley Davidson??If not I could use these 4 points on intimidation and maybe electronics/maglock?}
That's all I have for now, it's really late and it's getting hard to think clearly.
... here goes.Answering MOST of TinkerGnomes questions:
1. Why is my character a shadowrunner?
My Character, "Tex" was a bouncer at some hole-in-the-wall strip joint in Santa Fe, New Mexico - Pueblo Corporate Council. "Tex" grew tired of his low quality of life and decided to try his hand as a Bounty Hunter. Growing more accustomed to the increase of nuyen, he decided to bid farewell to Santa Fe and his job there, moving to Seattle where there was more action (and Nuyen) to be found. Bounty Hunting eventually lead him to the shadows where he has been a runner ever since.
2. How does my character handle social situations?
"Tex" is the silent intimidator type relying more on his "You wouldn't like me when I'm angry" 'charm.'
3. How does my character handle runs?
"Tex" is a stone cold professional.
4. What race is my character?
"Tex" is human and is not racist an any way.
5. How does my character handle himself in a fight?
"Tex" is the type who will blaze away while seeking cover. Shoot first ask questions later.
6. How does my character get from A to B?
This one I struggled with some. I know if I hook up with a team there will most likely be a rigger and I won't need transportation of my own, however, I wanted "Tex" to have a Harley Davidson motorcycle ... an "older" one, like a 2012 'FATBOY' model instead of a 2063 model. Is this doable and if so, should I spend the nuyen or let it be?
7. What can my character actually DO?
I haven't answered this one yet. I wanted to wait and see how some other things come together .. maybe that would give me some ideas. Maybe he's really good at B/E so he would be a wiz with maglocks?? Maybe something to better play into his bounty hunter history??
8. Who does my character know that can help - Contacts?
A.)A Stripper who moved to Seattle from the Santa Fe strip club. (lvl 2)
B.)A Fixer who goes by the alias "Lich" (lvl 1)
C.)A Bounty Hunter who knew "Tex" during his Bounty Hunter days. (lvl 1)
D.)A Mafia member who is a friend of a friend (lvl 1) [If I can do this one??]
9. What Cyberware does my character have and why did he get it?
Haven't decided which Cyberware to get yet. I wanted to wait and see how much nuyen I would have to spend and get your advice. But, the reason he got it is because he wants to have the edge, be at the top of his game .. and because he could afford it. He doesn't give much thought to the effect of the cyberware on his humanity. As long as his thoughts and emotions are still his own, he is fine with it.
Now, what I was THINKING .. if it wouldn't be to rediculously stupid to do ... is have this character wear an armor plated/kevlar lined (whatever) westorn style duster and a stetson hat and wrap around shades. Synthdenim jeans, maybe some t-shirt advertising the strip joint where he used to work and some combat boots. That's the look I had in mind. He looks like a futuristic cowboy. He even has the handlebar mustache long sideburns and 5 o'clock shadow where his beard would be. Most of the time he is chewing on an unlit cigar. He rides an "old" Harley Davidson and carries twin ingram smartguns holsted to either thigh and carries a Defiance T-250 shotgun on his harley. (Just to maybe give you a better idea about "Tex" to help you assist me in fleshing him out)
Here is his Priority List:
A- Resources(1,000,000)
B- Attributes(27)
C- Skills(34)
D- Magic(mundane)
E- Race(Human)
ATTRIBUTES
Body-5
Quickness-6
Strength-6
Charisma-2
Intelligence-6
Willpower-2
Essence-6
Magic-0
Reaction-6
SKILLS
Athletics-5
Stealth-5
SMGs-6
Shotguns-6
Etiquette[Street]-2(4)
Unarmed Combat-5
Bikes-3 *
{maybe a 3(5) Harley Davidson??If not I could use these 4 points on intimidation and maybe electronics/maglock?}
That's all I have for now, it's really late and it's getting hard to think clearly.
I like the concept, and I think you did a bang-up job putting him together so far, but a 2 in Willpower <wince>... that makes you extremely vulnerable to a lot of spells. Personally, I would recommend raising it to 4, even if it means lowering your Intelligence to 4. At least that way, you have more of a chance against mana spells, especially if the group's mage is providing some spell defense. It depends on the campaign, though. If magic is not encountered that often, you might be able to get by with a low Willpower - although it would still be the first thing I'd improve when I got some Karma.
By the way, a number of people think that the "right" way to do a character is to answer all of the questions, then do the stats, but a lot of people will come up with a general idea, start putting the stats together, flesh out a background, and sometimes go back and change the stats as the background comes together more. That's how I do it myself, and it's worked well for me. But what matters is the way that works best and most naturally for you.
By the way, a number of people think that the "right" way to do a character is to answer all of the questions, then do the stats, but a lot of people will come up with a general idea, start putting the stats together, flesh out a background, and sometimes go back and change the stats as the background comes together more. That's how I do it myself, and it's worked well for me. But what matters is the way that works best and most naturally for you.
I agree with Glyph that you don't need to finish the questions before getting into character generation. However, some of those questions are directly answers to character generation processes (the contacts one, for instance) which can be answered at either time. I also agree about Willpower and Intelligence. 4 and 4 is better than 2 and 6.
For the rest, I'd take another look at your weapon skills. SMGs and Shotguns are both nice and fill slightly different roles, but neither is a "walking around" weapon. Pistols is everyone's favorite skill for a reason. One reason is many heavy pistols are conceal 8 in a concealable holster, which rises to 12 under a long coat. Another is that Tasers deal "elemental" damage (electricity) which is about the only cheap way a sammie can deal with spirits.
For the rest, I'd take another look at your weapon skills. SMGs and Shotguns are both nice and fill slightly different roles, but neither is a "walking around" weapon. Pistols is everyone's favorite skill for a reason. One reason is many heavy pistols are conceal 8 in a concealable holster, which rises to 12 under a long coat. Another is that Tasers deal "elemental" damage (electricity) which is about the only cheap way a sammie can deal with spirits.
Alright, I will make the change putting Willpower at 4 and Intelligence at 4 and now my reaction is 5 and I think I will keep the two ingrams and pickup a pistol. Which one would you recommend? I see the Ares Predator in here but I've read a novel that mentioned a Savalette Guardian ... but it's not in here. Should I wait for my Canon Companion and Man & Machine books to arrive before continuing on?
I'm going to disagree with the other two RE: 2 willpower.
Don't just think instant survival. Think Karma.
If you start with Int 6/Willpower 2, it will cost 14 karma to raise your willpower to 4. But if you start with Int 4/Willpower 4, it will cost you 22 karma to raise intelligence to 6. In addition, you get 5 knowledge skills per point of intelligence at character creation plus the language skills. 4 willpower is a relatively common breakpoint for Samurai, some raise it to 6 at a later date.
Don't just think instant survival. Think Karma.
If you start with Int 6/Willpower 2, it will cost 14 karma to raise your willpower to 4. But if you start with Int 4/Willpower 4, it will cost you 22 karma to raise intelligence to 6. In addition, you get 5 knowledge skills per point of intelligence at character creation plus the language skills. 4 willpower is a relatively common breakpoint for Samurai, some raise it to 6 at a later date.
Re: attributes
If youve got a M&M coming, Id advise this: lower str and quick to 5 each, raising willpower to 4. Then buy a suprathyroid gland, which adds 1 to bod, str, quick, and reaction. Thatll land you at pyshical attributes of 6 all round and get that will up.
Re: pistol
The choice here really depends on what youre gonna be doing with it; right tool for the job and all. If the pistol is gonna be a concealed carry for everyday wear, just grab the bronwing max power with its con6, slap it in a con holster, and ride. If youre actually planning on using it extensivly in combat, the savalette guardian is a bit more flexible. But youve got the SMG skill for big gunfights, so consider that too. Just weigh out what role you want each to fill and get one that fits.
If youve got a M&M coming, Id advise this: lower str and quick to 5 each, raising willpower to 4. Then buy a suprathyroid gland, which adds 1 to bod, str, quick, and reaction. Thatll land you at pyshical attributes of 6 all round and get that will up.
Re: pistol
The choice here really depends on what youre gonna be doing with it; right tool for the job and all. If the pistol is gonna be a concealed carry for everyday wear, just grab the bronwing max power with its con6, slap it in a con holster, and ride. If youre actually planning on using it extensivly in combat, the savalette guardian is a bit more flexible. But youve got the SMG skill for big gunfights, so consider that too. Just weigh out what role you want each to fill and get one that fits.
While Modesitt is right from a purly numbers point of view, I'd advise keeping that kind of thing to a minimum until you've found a group and know more specificly what their play style is. Some groups make raising an attribute take a significant amount of training time, which would make that course of action difficult, at best.
White Dwarf has a point about the use of bioware, but my normal course of action would be to use muscle toner and muscle augmentation instead of the suprathyroid. The drawbacks of the suprathyroid can be hefty and fatal (being signature 4 is a killer). My general target is quickness 9 and intelligence 5 for non-elves. This gives you the most bang for your buck in terms of starting reaction.
With that course of action, and all of that bioware, keep in mind that you're going to have a very powerful karma sink in terms of skill specializations right out of the gate. Since bioware counts as a natural stat, it's like you'd raised your quickness to 9 naturally. That means you could, for instance, go from SMGs 5 to SMGs/Ingram Smartgun 5/9 for just 14 karma.
White Dwarf has a point about the use of bioware, but my normal course of action would be to use muscle toner and muscle augmentation instead of the suprathyroid. The drawbacks of the suprathyroid can be hefty and fatal (being signature 4 is a killer). My general target is quickness 9 and intelligence 5 for non-elves. This gives you the most bang for your buck in terms of starting reaction.
With that course of action, and all of that bioware, keep in mind that you're going to have a very powerful karma sink in terms of skill specializations right out of the gate. Since bioware counts as a natural stat, it's like you'd raised your quickness to 9 naturally. That means you could, for instance, go from SMGs 5 to SMGs/Ingram Smartgun 5/9 for just 14 karma.
... 
Umm ... you guys are suddenly all speaking greek. Some of the stuff I understand ... kinda. Other stuff you're saying .. I'm like, " 
Maybe I should wait until I get the Canon Companion and Man & Machine??
Umm ... you guys are suddenly all speaking greek. Some of the stuff I understand ... kinda. Other stuff you're saying .. I'm like, " Maybe I should wait until I get the Canon Companion and Man & Machine??
Sorry, Moab, we tend to get ahead of ourselves sometime. Once you have Man and Machine, you'll discover that there is something called bioware, which is, basically, a more natural version of cyberware. Whereas cyberware increases are artificial (ie, when you raise a skill you use the non-cyberware portion of the attribute to tell what it costs), bioware increases are natural (thus you'd use the bioware bonus plus the base attribute to determine skill costs). Bioware has plenty of drawbacks if you have very much of it, but it's usually well worth it.
For talk of karma, you should go ahead and check out the Beyond the Shadows chapter of the core book. It discusses how much it costs you to raise attributes and skills. The basics are that if you have two attributes that you'd like to have at 6 and 4 at some point during your career, it's cheaper to start with them at 6 and 2 than to start with both at 4. When you get into doing too much of this, it's considered metagaming (ie, doing things which don't necessarily make sense just because of the way the work in the rules system).
For talk of karma, you should go ahead and check out the Beyond the Shadows chapter of the core book. It discusses how much it costs you to raise attributes and skills. The basics are that if you have two attributes that you'd like to have at 6 and 4 at some point during your career, it's cheaper to start with them at 6 and 2 than to start with both at 4. When you get into doing too much of this, it's considered metagaming (ie, doing things which don't necessarily make sense just because of the way the work in the rules system).
Also: for any combat character (or really, any character that does anything very physical) the bioware items called synthcardium 2 and enhanced articulation are very nice. Having both of these will add three die to athletics related tests. Rolling 9 dice for a non-adept is fun.
Okay, I got my Canon Companion and Man & Machine books in now. I also got Sprawl Survivor Guide too and Corporate Download is on the way. So, I was thinking of taking pistols, smgs, and maybe assault rifle skills. Is that too much for a beginning character? The things I'm having the most problems with is knowing what attributes to look for with each weapon, skill, gear and everything. Like you guys bring up things for me to keep in mind (i.e. MADs detection) and I had no idea about it. I do appreciate all your help though guys. I am really interested in SR3 and would love to play sometime.
"Big Mo"
"Big Mo"
Generally, most people around here agree that you only need one heavier weapon skill (Assault Rifles,SMG, Shotgun or even Heavy Weapons) and Pistols. Having more than that will make you think you're more versitile but you're actually limiting yourself by pumping all those points into redundant skills.
As far as getting around town, you've got a few things to worry about. First is concealability. Ie, does someone notice that bulge in your jacket. The sleeker a weapon is, the lower the conceal, and there are ways to help it out (concealable and concealable quickdraw holsters are popular, as well as long coats). Some stuff will never be concealable (that Ares Alpha with a Gas Vent IV on the front), though, so you've got to be careful about what you carry and when.
The other things to worry about are scanners. There are at least three basic types you're going to run into. The most common is the MADs. MADs spot metal, so if you go with ceramics or plastics (some guns are made of them) you'll be fine. The second type are cyberware scanners. Alphaware is harder to spot, and the less ware you have, the harder any of it is to spot. Reflex triggers also make wired reflexes hard to spot. The third type is a chem sniffer. Chem sniffers spot explosives and ammo. Generally, the more rounds you have on you, the more likely you are to set one off (the rules for them are in SR Companion).
Some characters couldn't care less about not having their stuff spoted, but most of the more sophistocated do. You get hasseled less if you're not obviously a death machine (well, by cops, at least).
Now that you've got Man and Machine, check out the bioware section. Enhanced Articulation is one of the best pieces of 'ware around
The other things to worry about are scanners. There are at least three basic types you're going to run into. The most common is the MADs. MADs spot metal, so if you go with ceramics or plastics (some guns are made of them) you'll be fine. The second type are cyberware scanners. Alphaware is harder to spot, and the less ware you have, the harder any of it is to spot. Reflex triggers also make wired reflexes hard to spot. The third type is a chem sniffer. Chem sniffers spot explosives and ammo. Generally, the more rounds you have on you, the more likely you are to set one off (the rules for them are in SR Companion).
Some characters couldn't care less about not having their stuff spoted, but most of the more sophistocated do. You get hasseled less if you're not obviously a death machine (well, by cops, at least).
Now that you've got Man and Machine, check out the bioware section. Enhanced Articulation is one of the best pieces of 'ware around
Okay, here are the two weapon loadouts I'm considering. Which would you go with and why?
A.) -One Savalette Guardian (in a shoulder holster under his left arm.)
-Two Ingram Smartguns (holstered at either hip in consealable quickdraw
holsers.)
-One Morrisey Elan hold out pistol.
-One Cougar Fineblade Knife[short blade](tucked into his boot.)
-One Cougar Fineblade Knife[short blade](sheathed to his armored vest
over his left pectoral)
B.) -Two Savelette Guardians (holstered at either hip in concealable quickdraw
holsers.)
-One Ares Alpha Assault Rifle(on a sling around his neck <so that the gun lies
against his chest> and under his lined duster.)
-One Morrisey Elan hold out pistol.
-One Cougar Fineblade Knife[short blade](tucked into his boot.)
-One Cougar Fineblade Knife[short blade](sheathed to his armored vest
over his left pectoral)
Maybe a couple of grenades with both loadouts as well.
"Big Mo"
A.) -One Savalette Guardian (in a shoulder holster under his left arm.)
-Two Ingram Smartguns (holstered at either hip in consealable quickdraw
holsers.)
-One Morrisey Elan hold out pistol.
-One Cougar Fineblade Knife[short blade](tucked into his boot.)
-One Cougar Fineblade Knife[short blade](sheathed to his armored vest
over his left pectoral)
B.) -Two Savelette Guardians (holstered at either hip in concealable quickdraw
holsers.)
-One Ares Alpha Assault Rifle(on a sling around his neck <so that the gun lies
against his chest> and under his lined duster.)
-One Morrisey Elan hold out pistol.
-One Cougar Fineblade Knife[short blade](tucked into his boot.)
-One Cougar Fineblade Knife[short blade](sheathed to his armored vest
over his left pectoral)
Maybe a couple of grenades with both loadouts as well.
"Big Mo"
* A pair of Savalette Guardians in concealed quick-draw shoulder holsters.
* Morrissey Elite tucked into a concealed ankle holster.
* A pair of short Cougar Fineblades in a butterfly-style sheath on the small of the back.
That's about all I'd carry weapon-wise under most circumstances. I'd clip a pair of Freeze Foam or Slip Spray splash grenades or IPE Concussion grenades on my belt if expecting some heavy opposition, and I'd bring along a Franchi SPAS-22 or Mossberg shotgun if expecting some really serious opposition. I tend to pass on assault rifles, preferring submachine guns if prolonged close-quarters combat is expected.
* Morrissey Elite tucked into a concealed ankle holster.
* A pair of short Cougar Fineblades in a butterfly-style sheath on the small of the back.
That's about all I'd carry weapon-wise under most circumstances. I'd clip a pair of Freeze Foam or Slip Spray splash grenades or IPE Concussion grenades on my belt if expecting some heavy opposition, and I'd bring along a Franchi SPAS-22 or Mossberg shotgun if expecting some really serious opposition. I tend to pass on assault rifles, preferring submachine guns if prolonged close-quarters combat is expected.
Quick note, you can't use holsters on SMGs
yeah, that's one thing I DID know. That's why I had the Ares Alpha on a sling. I like the idea of the blades in a butterfly style sheath at the small of the back ... I had actually thought of that eariler and just forgot about it when typing the loadout. Will his lined duster get in the way of reaching his cougar fineblades? I also really like the Franchi SPAS-22 and considered carrying it too, but at the same time I don't want to be a walking advertisement for trouble. How could I pull off carrying the SPAS-22 and maximize concealability?
But you still said that the Ingrams were in concealble QD holsters
Best conceal for the SPAS is folded stock under a long coat (conceal 6). That's respectable.
Best conceal for the SPAS is folded stock under a long coat (conceal 6). That's respectable.
Oh, my apologies TinkerGnome. I read through that too quickly and just assumed that you were saying Assault Rifles can be in holsters. I did NOT know that SMGs could not be holstered. How would you carry them concealed then?
Oh and I read over the bioware section and saw a few that interested me. I agree see what you mean about Enhanced Articulation ... I want that one. Here are the others that interested me. Please advise me on which ones I should purchase as a beginning character:
Adrenal Pump - 60,000 (level 1)
Adrenal Pump - 100,000 (level 2)
Enhanced Articulation - 40,000:nuyen:
Muscle Augmentation - 20,000:nuyen:/level (if yes, which level?)
Muscle Toner - 25,000:nuyen:/level (if yes, which level?)
Orthoskin - 25,000:nuyen: (level 1)
Orthoskin - 60,000:nuyen: (level 2)
Orthoskin - 100,000:nuyen: (level 3)
Synthacardium - 6,000:nuyen:
Synthacardium - 15,000:nuyen:
Tailored Pheremones - 20,000:nuyen: (level 1)
Tailored Pheremones - 45,000:nuyen: (level 2)
Damage Compensators - 25,000 /level (level 1-2)
Pain Editor - 60,000
Sleep Regulator - 20,000
Now, obviously I cant get all of these to start of with ... I may not even be able to get them all eventually due to penalties it would inflict elsewhere. What's your adivce? I still haven't selected gear and cyberware .. and that's just the stuff that I am AWARE of.
Oh and I read over the bioware section and saw a few that interested me. I agree see what you mean about Enhanced Articulation ... I want that one. Here are the others that interested me. Please advise me on which ones I should purchase as a beginning character:
Adrenal Pump - 60,000
(level 1)Adrenal Pump - 100,000
(level 2)Enhanced Articulation - 40,000:nuyen:
Muscle Augmentation - 20,000:nuyen:/level (if yes, which level?)
Muscle Toner - 25,000:nuyen:/level (if yes, which level?)
Orthoskin - 25,000:nuyen: (level 1)
Orthoskin - 60,000:nuyen: (level 2)
Orthoskin - 100,000:nuyen: (level 3)
Synthacardium - 6,000:nuyen:
Synthacardium - 15,000:nuyen:
Tailored Pheremones - 20,000:nuyen: (level 1)
Tailored Pheremones - 45,000:nuyen: (level 2)
Damage Compensators - 25,000
/level (level 1-2)Pain Editor - 60,000
Sleep Regulator - 20,000
Now, obviously I cant get all of these to start of with ... I may not even be able to get them all eventually due to penalties it would inflict elsewhere. What's your adivce? I still haven't selected gear and cyberware .. and that's just the stuff that I am AWARE of.
Ultimately, your ware loadout depends on your intent, but Enhanced Articulation is a classic overpowered and underpriced piece of ware. Muscle Aug and Toner are also good, though I'd be careful of getting too much of either; regardless, they certainly don't hurt. I hear Pain Editor and Damage Compensators are good fun too.
You can't put SMG's in Quickdraw/Concealable holsters? Really? Where did it say that?
Snake did it. (the "Escape from New York" Snake. Not the "Metal Gear" Snake)
If its true, I guess that's one more plus for Machine Pistols.
Either way, I'd probably go Lime's route. Sometimes (in the ideal world) it helps to know what the other team members are packing. But that may not be the case here. Go with what you think best fits your character.
Personally, I like SMGs for my characters. But I have had characters pack ARs and shotguns. I think your man, Tex, just might dig carrying a shotgun.
I hate to keep throwing things at you...but, you might want a silenced weapon and/or a stun weapon. I don't remember right now if the Sav uses the famous "chamber based recoil" or "integral gas vent" system. If its the chamber based you can slap a suppressor on each o'them puppies and go to town. If its GV, you're outta luck, omae.
The stun weapon can be a dart pistol w/ Narcojet or that other sleep drug that eludes me at the moment OR a taser. You don't have to pack them all at the sametime but sometimes you want the mark alive and he's not close enough to slug. Also, see above about "Team Loadout." You might be able to pawn that off on someone else. Freeing you up to kick ass and take names.
Again, its all personal preference. I don't mean to assume but it seems that while your character is more "Street Level" he did try his hand at bounty hunting. Thats a career path that would probably include the alive stipulation of "Wanted: Dead or Alive" at some point. Of course you could just say that he got burned one too many times and now doesn't take any chances.
Sorry to ramble on so.
Snake did it.
(the "Escape from New York" Snake. Not the "Metal Gear" Snake)If its true, I guess that's one more plus for Machine Pistols.
Either way, I'd probably go Lime's route. Sometimes (in the ideal world) it helps to know what the other team members are packing. But that may not be the case here. Go with what you think best fits your character.
Personally, I like SMGs for my characters. But I have had characters pack ARs and shotguns. I think your man, Tex, just might dig carrying a shotgun.
I hate to keep throwing things at you...but, you might want a silenced weapon and/or a stun weapon. I don't remember right now if the Sav uses the famous "chamber based recoil" or "integral gas vent" system. If its the chamber based you can slap a suppressor on each o'them puppies and go to town. If its GV, you're outta luck, omae.
The stun weapon can be a dart pistol w/ Narcojet or that other sleep drug that eludes me at the moment OR a taser. You don't have to pack them all at the sametime but sometimes you want the mark alive and he's not close enough to slug. Also, see above about "Team Loadout." You might be able to pawn that off on someone else. Freeing you up to kick ass and take names.
Again, its all personal preference. I don't mean to assume but it seems that while your character is more "Street Level" he did try his hand at bounty hunting. Thats a career path that would probably include the alive stipulation of "Wanted: Dead or Alive" at some point. Of course you could just say that he got burned one too many times and now doesn't take any chances.
Sorry to ramble on so.
If you put a silencer on that Morrissey Elite, dropping the base Concealability to 5, you will still get a Concealability of 10 from having it in a concealable holster under a long coat. Or you could go with an Ares Viper instead (flechette ammo is not as good against armor, but the difference only shows up when you run into really heavy armor, so it is very useable for a holdout - and it will have 12 Concealability under that long coat).
If you need to take the mark alive, use gel rounds - you don't have to buy all-new guns (although if having a big arsenal doesn't leave you feeling overwhelmed with choices, a taser is a good investment. As a matter of fact, Man & Machine does have a cyber-taser, which might be something a bounty hunter would have).
If you need to take the mark alive, use gel rounds - you don't have to buy all-new guns (although if having a big arsenal doesn't leave you feeling overwhelmed with choices, a taser is a good investment. As a matter of fact, Man & Machine does have a cyber-taser, which might be something a bounty hunter would have).
| QUOTE |
| How would you carry them concealed then? |
Have you ever seen Invasion USA?
Throw a long coat over that and your ready to rock and roll.
| QUOTE |
| You can't put SMG's in Quickdraw/Concealable holsters? Really? Where did it say that? |
The rules don't limit concealable holsters to any specific weapons, but the +2 bonus to Concealability that they give only applies to pistols. It's in the description.
| QUOTE (A Clockwork Lime) | ||
The rules don't limit concealable holsters to any specific weapons, but the +2 bonus to Concealability that they give only applies to pistols. It's in the description. |
Wow. So it is.
In effect, buying a conceable holster for an SMG is a waste of money.
Interestingly the quick-draw holster (CC, p33) refers to "pistol sized weapons" - what's the ruling on that (I'd assume it includes SMGs)?
| QUOTE (Centurion) |
| Also: for any combat character (or really, any character that does anything very physical) the bioware items called synthcardium 2 and enhanced articulation are very nice. Having both of these will add three die to athletics related tests. Rolling 9 dice for a non-adept is fun. |
You forgot Muscle Augmentation and Toner!
Dont over burden yourself with 52351 weapons while youre just walking around. Think of SR kinda like the movie Ronin. When they just walked around they had a pistol tops. When it was job time they had assualt rifles and rocket launchers. A pistol or two and a knife is plenty for around town wear; on a run bring whatever you can carry without exposing yourself =)
As for your bio questions:
Adrenal Pump is kinda sucky, and has stacking/availability issues (forget which) so Id can that fast. Go with boosted or wired reflexes instead.
Orthoskin is usually (but not always) inferior to Dermal Sheathing. Be sure you read and understand both, then make a choice. The ballistic armor might seem nice, but the body dice from the sheath are usually better, and both offer impact armor.
Tailored Pheremones are good, but not available at starting according to the canon character generation rules. Apply them or not as appropriate for you.
Damage Compensators and Pain Editor arent bad, but I forget if theyre legal to start with also. Regardless, there are (IMO) better ways of handling this aspect of a character, but for a beginner these are a lot easier to use and could work ok.
The Enchanced Articulation, Muscle Aug, Muscle Toner are all good pieces, you see those a fair bit on a wide array of characters. As long as you have a reason for boosting str or quick, you cant go wrong. Enhanced Articulation is something probably 50% of characters wind up taking, its really nice.
As for your bio questions:
Adrenal Pump is kinda sucky, and has stacking/availability issues (forget which) so Id can that fast. Go with boosted or wired reflexes instead.
Orthoskin is usually (but not always) inferior to Dermal Sheathing. Be sure you read and understand both, then make a choice. The ballistic armor might seem nice, but the body dice from the sheath are usually better, and both offer impact armor.
Tailored Pheremones are good, but not available at starting according to the canon character generation rules. Apply them or not as appropriate for you.
Damage Compensators and Pain Editor arent bad, but I forget if theyre legal to start with also. Regardless, there are (IMO) better ways of handling this aspect of a character, but for a beginner these are a lot easier to use and could work ok.
The Enchanced Articulation, Muscle Aug, Muscle Toner are all good pieces, you see those a fair bit on a wide array of characters. As long as you have a reason for boosting str or quick, you cant go wrong. Enhanced Articulation is something probably 50% of characters wind up taking, its really nice.
Lemme give a try at this, these are mostly my personal feelings on 'ware and guns, so YMMV.
Guns... you already have a strength of 6, so in SA mode your recoil is already taken care of the recoil mod (the SavGaurdian's biggest draw). Burst firing shouldn't be needed if your in a situation that uses pistols. If your in a situation that needs burst fire, you shouldn't be using pistols.
Consider the Area Predator 3 (yeah, yeah, that's enough from the peanut gallery). It's cheap, it's already got a SL2 in it, and appearently their dirt common by cannon. "One gun, one run" should be a maxim by all professional runners live by, otherwise LS might pick up on the balistic fingerprints of the slugs matched to your gun. If you do get caught, you might not want to get convicted on the 12 other runs you pulled before because your gun matched the one involved in all of them.
Your big gun, for when pistols are not an option, should be in the trunk of your car when not in use. Carrying it around either draws the attention of LS (in normal areas) or the gangs (in the Barrens). Both encounters are nothing but hassle. Also, you should really only have the two skills, Pistols, and your big gun skill, whaterver it is. You could even get by on only pistols if you aren't expecting to play in a heavy combat style game.
I'm also of the opinon that SMGs, as defined in the book, aren't all that useful. Poor penetration, poor range, poor conceal. If yer gonna blow it to drek all, use a bigger gun. If yer gonna hide it, use something you can actually hide.
Your backup gun... The Elan is a nice gun. Make sure to get Hi-C rounds for it though. It'd suck if the MAD scanner didn't pick up your gun, but picked up your bullets instead. However Hi-C's out of hold outs really suck for anything after 15 meters. Very poor penetration, and should you get a crappy roll, it might just bounce off of a wageslave instead of doing damage.
Also, the benefits of a MAD-proof guns depend upon the prevailance of Chem Sniffers in your campaign. Does no good to sneak a gun in, if you can't get your ammo in too.
And your knife. As your melee skill is unarmed combat, you should rely on that instead of knifes. One for utility is pretty much all you need, say if you want to cut something in the middle of a run, and usually make it polycarbonate to slip past MAD's (and since it's not cyber or explosive, the other scanners ya wouldn't have to worry about). And then Dikote it. Mmm, Dikote.
EDIT: Also consider taking a Taser. It's the cheapest, and about the most effective way for a Sammie to deal with a Spirit.
On to the Bioware.
Guns... you already have a strength of 6, so in SA mode your recoil is already taken care of the recoil mod (the SavGaurdian's biggest draw). Burst firing shouldn't be needed if your in a situation that uses pistols. If your in a situation that needs burst fire, you shouldn't be using pistols.
Consider the Area Predator 3 (yeah, yeah, that's enough from the peanut gallery). It's cheap, it's already got a SL2 in it, and appearently their dirt common by cannon. "One gun, one run" should be a maxim by all professional runners live by, otherwise LS might pick up on the balistic fingerprints of the slugs matched to your gun. If you do get caught, you might not want to get convicted on the 12 other runs you pulled before because your gun matched the one involved in all of them.
Your big gun, for when pistols are not an option, should be in the trunk of your car when not in use. Carrying it around either draws the attention of LS (in normal areas) or the gangs (in the Barrens). Both encounters are nothing but hassle. Also, you should really only have the two skills, Pistols, and your big gun skill, whaterver it is. You could even get by on only pistols if you aren't expecting to play in a heavy combat style game.
I'm also of the opinon that SMGs, as defined in the book, aren't all that useful. Poor penetration, poor range, poor conceal. If yer gonna blow it to drek all, use a bigger gun. If yer gonna hide it, use something you can actually hide.
Your backup gun... The Elan is a nice gun. Make sure to get Hi-C rounds for it though. It'd suck if the MAD scanner didn't pick up your gun, but picked up your bullets instead. However Hi-C's out of hold outs really suck for anything after 15 meters. Very poor penetration, and should you get a crappy roll, it might just bounce off of a wageslave instead of doing damage.
Also, the benefits of a MAD-proof guns depend upon the prevailance of Chem Sniffers in your campaign. Does no good to sneak a gun in, if you can't get your ammo in too.
And your knife. As your melee skill is unarmed combat, you should rely on that instead of knifes. One for utility is pretty much all you need, say if you want to cut something in the middle of a run, and usually make it polycarbonate to slip past MAD's (and since it's not cyber or explosive, the other scanners ya wouldn't have to worry about). And then Dikote it. Mmm, Dikote.
EDIT: Also consider taking a Taser. It's the cheapest, and about the most effective way for a Sammie to deal with a Spirit.
On to the Bioware.
| QUOTE (Moab) |
| Adrenal Pump - 60,000 (level 1) Adrenal Pump - 100,000 (level 2) |
Both of these are a tad heavy on the BioIndex, usually a character's not going to be playing with more then 4 points of BioIndex as healing and resisting drugs/pathogens/toxins become harder and harder.
They're a tad expensive, require drugs to fully control, and their benefits, while nice, come at the expense of a Deadly Stun when it runs out. On any prolonged run or battle, you will add to your TNs if not knocking yourself out.
| QUOTE |
| Enhanced Articulation - 40,000:nuyen: |
If not houseruled into oblivion, get this. One of the best pieces of 'ware out there.
| QUOTE |
| Muscle Augmentation - 20,000:nuyen:/level (if yes, which level?) Muscle Toner - 25,000:nuyen:/level (if yes, which level?) |
These are both nice, however their BioIndex quickly scales past my comfort zone. Also remember that Bioware doesn't exceed the Racial Maximums, so many times a character can't recieve full advantage from a full level 4 if they've already put their 6 points into the attribute.
Personally I tend to go with Toner before Aug for the Reaction and Combat Pool bonuses, but I do tend to play characters that rely less on strength.
| QUOTE |
| Orthoskin - 25,000:nuyen: (level 1) Orthoskin - 60,000:nuyen: (level 2) Orthoskin - 100,000:nuyen: (level 3) |
Ortho is nice, but it's just not as nice as Dermal Sheathing. Especially level 1. The way armor works, the TN to soak can't go below 2 but you can always roll more body. A Secure Jacket + FFBA gets to a balistic of 7, and will be good enough to soak most of what you'll be trying to soak (9, 10, 12). But if they go full auto (16 or 18) it's not going to help much in any event.
| QUOTE |
| Synthacardium - 6,000:nuyen: Synthacardium - 15,000:nuyen: |
These are cheap, both in Index and price, and I'll never say no for more dice to run the frag away. It's usually one of the "cram" pieces I use to squeeze everything out of what BioIndex I have to play with.
| QUOTE |
| Tailored Pheremones - 20,000:nuyen: (level 1) Tailored Pheremones - 45,000:nuyen: (level 2) |
The face's Enhanced Articulation. Practically a requirement if your character is going to be dealing with people on a substansive basis. Also one of the first things that should be upgraded to cultural if possible.
| QUOTE |
| Damage Compensators - 25,000 /level (level 1-2) Pain Editor - 60,000 Sleep Regulator - 20,000 |
These are all cultural, and may or may not be available to starting characters per the GM.
The Damage Compensators and the Pain Editor... I've never been a big fan of either; knowing when to cut and run is vital. While I could see maybe low levels of DC, but nothing over 5.
Sleep Regulator is one of those like the synthacardium. Nice, never say no... but there's only so much BioIndex to go around. If you can cram it in, cram it in, but I wouldn't suggest loosing sleep over it.
Gah, that was cheezy, heh.
But on to other Bio.
If I may suggest Trauma Dampeners or Platelet Factories? They seem less useful then they first appear to be, but it adds up. And it saves on doctor bills. Healing stun is much easier the physical.
If you can't avoid the damage outright, Symbiotes gets you up on your feet quickly. I rarely take them as they're somewhat further down on my list of preferences, but even while SR's healing is slanted towards getting characters back into the "fun" part of the game, no one likes being laid up. However beware the costs (the first level is particularly bad in the cost vs benefit area). The BioIndex is a tad over priced, but where it really gets the character is in lifestyle costs. Forget ever having a High lifestyle, and a Middle is iffy as well.
Also in that vien is Superthyriod. It's got a lot of negatives for what it does, but with Enhanced Articulation it comes out at an even 2.0. I use it as a stepping stone mostly til the runner can afford to replace it with something better. Plus it has added some value in the form of humor, at least in our games. Something about cabinet after cabinet filled with nothing but Kung Pao Chicken in those autoheating single servings. Heh.
Mnemoic Enhancer, the extra dice are useful, but the real advantage is in the karma savings. Unless in a game where training time is manditory, the karma savings are useful.
Reflex Recorders, while not as all encompassing as the Enhanced Articulation, are useful and also fit in the "cram" 'ware area.
Synaptic Accelerator. When fitted with Boosted 1 cyber, it's the cheapest (in both Essence and cost), yet still effective, initiative modifier. You may not go as often as a Wired 3 sammie, but with a good reaction you still have a decent shot at going 3 times a round.
| QUOTE (simonw2000) |
| You forgot Muscle Augmentation and Toner! |
Oi, dat too.
BTW, hat's the consensus on how much physical mass Augmentation adds? Is it thin weavings that are barely noticeable or huge slabs of vatgrown stuff that makes your neck disappear in a hurry?
If you go overboard on the cyber (Essence < 1) then you need to be very careful about what bio you pack in. I like to go with a few levels of muscle toner (3), enhanced articulation and nicitating membranes for a total of 1.9 bio index, which is the most you can have before penalties appear
Here is the street sam I'm currently working on, if you want to take a look. He's not overly powerful in any one area, but he does a lot of things well enough.
Here is the street sam I'm currently working on, if you want to take a look. He's not overly powerful in any one area, but he does a lot of things well enough.
| QUOTE |
| In effect, buying a conceable holster for an SMG is a waste of money. Interestingly the quick-draw holster (CC, p33) refers to "pistol sized weapons" - what's the ruling on that (I'd assume it includes SMGs)? |
So shell out the money and call it a "sling" or "strap" or "harness."
If asked, I'd say that you could do one or the other w/ a SMG. That is, Concealable OR Quick Draw. NOT both.
I didn't know you could quickdraw SMGs, but you sure can, by the rules. Concealable doesn't work, though, since the +2 is explicitly for pistols.
Ok, ok, ok...so drop what I said about the concealable bit.
It'd have to be a house rule but its one of them that makes sense. Think of it as "Ready Weapon" really fast.
Go to the HK components
[grumble]..Ingram Worrior 10 and the Colt Cobra look like just big pistols...[/grumble]
It'd have to be a house rule but its one of them that makes sense. Think of it as "Ready Weapon" really fast.
Go to the HK components
[grumble]..Ingram Worrior 10 and the Colt Cobra look like just big pistols...[/grumble]
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