Not too bad, actually. Depends upon how you interpret the amount of memory required for the HUD. A remote deck isn't that pricey as long as it is of a fairly low rating, and some of the smaller rotor drones are quite affordable.

It may be that the reason you are having a hard time staging stun batons is that they halve your impact armor (because they're shock weapons). Get the "insulation" option added to your armor (it's an armor modification in the cannon companion). You won't have any problems with stun batons after that.

I have three different weapon options for you:
1) The Steyr TMP Machine Pistol (in the Cannon Companion). It uses pistols skill, has no integral accessories, and can fire full auto (although its base damage code is 6L). Get Gas Vent rating IV installed, a folding stock and have the grip customized (or count on your strength) to get 6 points of recoil compensation. Fire bursts of standard ammo at a damage code of 12S (with a minimum target number of 6 to dodge because of the autofire). With EX rounds, you can up that to 14S which is better than most heavy armor can stand up to. Just watch the hardened stuff. This should help you cut down one guard at a time.

2) Your Taser of choice. I'm partial to the Yamaha Pulsar for its 8D(stun) damage code, but the easy to find Defiance Super Shock is also a stopper. These weapons are semi-auto and work instantly, unlike poison darts which often take effect at the end of the combat turn. Plus they're silent. On the downside, they have no range at all.

3) A full sized shotgun. You'll face a +2 penalty defaulting to a T-250 or similar using your pistols skill, but with the spread from shot rounds that won't actually feel so bad.

Finally, if you know that you have guards in your path you may want to consider tossing smoke grenades at them before they have the chance to see you. Your thermo vision will let you see through the stuff at little penalty, while they'll have a heck of a time unless they also have thermo. Another option is holding back in a hidey hole and just waiting for the guards to make a move. It's a lot harder for them to "just spot you" if you are crouched under a desk than if you are trying to splinter cell your way past on the ceiling or something. They'll either move, or you can think of another way around, or wait for backup, or send a drone around to create a distraction or whatever.

The notorious Ares Viper Slivergun is also a possible alternate for your pistol. It fires flechette only, but it is silent and can fire in either SA or BF mode.

Base damage is 9S(f) for a single shot. Since you are going against armored opponents it would only do 9M though.

Burst fire would be 12D against unarmored opponents or 12S against armored opponents.

Add some recoil comp to it and it works great (a bit too great according to many dumpshockers).

Upping your Negoations skill will cost quite a bit of karma due to your low CHA, however, it can be worthwile. If you are spotted, a good fast talk roll could be the difference between a bullet and an "I'm sorry sir". Disguise is also useful for this purpose.

You also might want to gonsider investing in an explosives skill and using them to cover your escapes. Can you say tripwire? Guards go running after you and kaboom, no more guards. This only works if you plan ahead, however.

Monowire -- if you can find an out of the way corridor that people don't go down very often (especially at the time you're in there), booby trap the corridor, and if things go badly, retreat through it at a run. You'll probably lose the pursuit at that point -- it's kind of hard to chase someone if your leg gets cut off at the knee. Just make sure to remember where the wire is and jump over it. Caltrops are good for this also -- not as powerful, but don't really require any prep either.

Don't fight multiple opponents in combat. Try to separate them (monowire booby traps might be good for this).

If you're going into a facility with heavy security, consider doing a pre-run and installing remotely activated gas tanks full of nausea gas, tear gas, etc, in the HVAC system. Take a gas mask with you. (This can be highly effective, especially if you stack gas types -- if everyone except you has +10 to TN, things start looking a lot better for you).

And definately, definately, definately have superflash and smoke grenades. You can cover your eyes for the superflashes, and with thermographic vision, the smoke grenades won't do anything to you (although watch for smoke alarms). But superflash should be really, really ugly in a building.

The mapping system would look something like this:

HUD computer (XX MP) (probably 50-100 MP, its not like you are doing anything else with it)

Trode net

GPS Receiver (800Y? they are in there somewhere)

Non-cyberware orientation system (5000Y iirc, 'externals' are 1/3rd the cost of the ware version).

Mapping software: either get your decker to write you some, or pay for it (probably 1000-3000Y) (depends on options)

Possible additions: a set of simple cameras and a rangefinder, so that the mapping software attempts to generate maps of the terrain you see and well as the terrain you move over.

Then, you'll need a low rating RCD to run the drones.

Then two sets of drones, one for indoor stuff and one for outdoor stuff.

The outdoor drones would be high signature gasbags, while the indoor drones would be something like ruthenium covered spider drones. As the drones will already have the basic sensor package you'd need, they should stay pretty cheap.

So, you both send the drones ahead of you and leave them behind you. Add their input to the map being developed by your HUD computer (with real time updates on the movements and conversations of any guards that happen by).

If you have the money, adding gunnery autosofts the drones and giving each a silenced pistol (or narcojet pistol, or taser, or whatever) and maybe a flashpack will greatly increase your abilities. If you want to be mean, learn demolitions (specialty mines) and get some ruthenium covered claymores to pack into the office building as well. They, if it hits the fan, any guards moving through areas you have already secured get turned into dog meat. If the building has a suspended ceiling (or whatever) then you can plant the mines inside the ceiling (any use the cheaper, non ruthenium covered versions).

You might also want some 'anti pursuit devices' (i.e. self deploying mines that you just throw over your shoulder while running away). Sure they are relatively easily visible but the opposition will have to slow down to do something about them (that is, if they notice them, noticing stuff while running after that nasty runner in the dark can be... difficult).

So, you generally know where the guards are. If you have to rush them, they are blinded, gassed, and/or blown up before you even get there. If you get detected, the guards rushing in to subdue you are blinded, gassed, and/or blown up. And if you have to run, the guards running after you are, you already know the answer to this one. Jumping out and trying to go all ninja on three guys is just going to get you smacked down.

Note that you may not be able to carry all of this stuff all of the time, but having all of it in your bag of tricks makes your job much easier. Also, remember that you can ‘pre-prepare’ your infiltration route or exfiltration routes ahead of time.

Oh my. So breaking into the warehouse of a electronics distributer who sells then would certainly not be a course of action worth thinking about. Or getting your decker to hijack their purchasing software and 'ordering' you a box full of them.

Runner, "I break into highly secure installations and steal really expensive stuff for a living."

Other runner, "Why don't you have a {doodad}, it would make your job much easier."

Runner, "Oh that would be nice, but they are too expensive for me to afford one."

Other runner, "Oh, the irony."

Yeah... Because every GM is just going to let you steal as many imaging scanners that sell for 10k a pop on the street and have an availability time of 14 days as you need, right? Just snap your fingers. Hell, you can probably shoplift them at Radio Shack - 240,000 worth, max coverage for both drones.

Next time you feel the need to act like a sarcastic asshole for no apparent reason, you might want to make sure you have a point worth making...

The GM should not be out to get you. While stealing the imaging scanners will not be 'easy' it presents a viable alternative to paying for them. Your runners can steal a 'getaway car' for the run, they can steal (or try to steal) other stuff they want.

Face it, runners break into highly secure areas and steal stuff for other people all the time. Realizing that you can break into highly secure areas and steal stuff for yourself is not that far of a jump. Breaking into a place should not become and easier (i.e. the GM should not be out to get you) becuase some shadowy 'guy' has hired you to do the job. In general, the stuff that the runners are stealing is worth hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of newyen in the right hands (otherwise, all the effort of hiring the runners would not be worth the corps times). If they can defeat the security in those places, then it follows that they can defeat the security in a place that hold less expensive stuff.

While the GM shouldn't be out to get you, Leviathan's GM is the one we're dealing with. There's no point in coming up with the perfect tactic if his local GM won't let it fly. It certainly seems that he likes to run a high action and fairly high powered game - lots of armor layering, guards with a lot of skill, etc. Its doubtful that a GM who gives out 30,000 for a really good haul is going to like the idea of a whole lot of free ruthenium scanners jumping into his game.

Otherwise, I really love the idea of invisible claymores. That might well be worth the money . . . once. Do it too often and you'll spend more on distractions than you get paid for doing the job.

Why don't you try dropping all the armor and pick up a camo full suit. The armor's decent at 5/3 and add thermal dampening to it? It adds +4 to perception tests. Instead of going full attack, why don't you just try regular attacks or pick up kick attacks? They won't have a a lower TN if you don't use full attack. If you pick up kick attack you get the bonus.

*accidental double-post*

Hmm, considering some of the comments I'm seeing getting thrown around here, I feel compelled to add my own 0.02 to the mix as the GM in question.

Firstly, the target was a ship carting a number of combat troops, who had been protecting installations in Tasmania (We are running in Australia). If you read the Target: Awakened Lands book, you'd have an idea of just why I feel that any corp facility there would require very, competent security, both in training and equipment. They had slightly above average stats, with higher skills to represent their specialization in subduing paracritters. Oh, and for the record, they were 4 (6) in the respective assault rifle/stun baton skills, on the low end of elite squads.

Secondly, in the instance where the stealth adept was spotted by the two guards, the guards were paying close attention to the one entrance, and had low-light vision (still one light functioning in the room) incorporated into their helmets. They succeeded in seeing him, and I see no problem with that. Essentially, them's the breaks.

The complaints about the corporate troops 'knowing' where the adept was hiding I feel are a bit unfair. At the time, the adept had thrown the flash-pak back in the direction of the guards, giving them a pretty fair indication of where he was. The act of 'digging in' implies that they are to be cornered in, at which point it is a reasonable tactic to bust out if possible.

Finally, this run was designed as fairly highly powered, raiding two corporate ships that they knew going in, were carrying well armoured and skilled troops. The payoff was commensurate, in both goods and nuyen. They had assistance from several other NPCs, including other more combat oriented characters, to balance out the odds.

The ambush which he came out the worse for wear in was the one 'stuff up' in the process of the run, as he moved out ahead of the secured area to where he knew there was opposition without support, into troops whose location he'd been warned about. In the circumstances, I think he did well getting out in one piece.

Thankyou for your indulgence, now please help him learn how to properly use a stealth adept.

Edited for clarity

Egg on my face

For loot: look for the most expensive looking weapon you can find. You may be able to trade it towards Ruthenium or other gear even if you can't use it.

Mixed blessing, Thunderbolts aren't all that great if you plan on using it often. It's more of an "oh crap" weapon. Ingram Smartguns are something you should look into.

The Ruger Thunderbolt would not be a good replacement for your Colt Manhunter. It is loud and distinctive-sounding. A silenced heavy pistol is much better. The Thunderbolt might be a good replacement for your shotgun pistol, as a weapon to use when it all hits the fan, but you can still attract the wrong kind of attention with a Ruger Thunderbolt.

Personally, I would keep the shotgun pistol. Also, I would get shock lock rounds for it (they are in Cannon Companion. They have +1 power, but their main function, as ceramic slugs, is to safely shoot out things like door locks without a spray of shrapnel).

On the subject of pistols, I see that you have a shock glove, but no taser. Tasers are very effective weapons, and use the pistol skill, so I would definitely add one to your arsenal. Since this is post-char-gen, get the one from Cannon Companion that does Deadly stun.

As has been previously mentioned, adding thermal damening (also in Cannon Companion, under armor modifications) to your armor would complement your camoflage patterns well. A ruthenium sneak suit can wait until you get richer - hey, it gives you something to save up for. Sammies need cyberware, mages need foci, libraries, etc., and riggers and deckers need lots of expensive tech. Adepts have it comparatively easy. Also on the "to buy" list, get a good maglock passkey and sequencer. A lockpick gun (found in Man & Machine) is also useful, and cheap enough that you could probably afford one now.

Intiation is your friend. If you spend some points on Improved Ability for Wildcat, you should start to get better than most security guards, even the semi-elite ones. The Full Offense move is less useful for a stealth adept, but on the occasions where you surprise an opponent and can get off an unopposed attack, the extra damage helps. Another good adept power is Sixth Sense - it doesn't help with initiative, but it helps a lot with surprise tests.

Obviously you aren't up to snuff in your current campaign so I was suggesting something to help you out, but nevermind.

EDIT- I've been stewing over this for awhile, and I'd like to point a few things out. In YOUR first post you states you are useless in combat:
1. With your skills you aren't the best combatant. Hence the get a SMG and build up the skill. Which had been mentioned earlier.
2. Your melee skill is even with your firearms, therefore it is not secondary.
3. You are a STEALTH adept. You're not supposed to be a combat god.
4. If you want a pistol that fires bursts get a Slivergun. It fires bursts and has an integral slincer/suppressor.
5. One grade of intiation isn't going to make your problems go away. So take the hit and up some skills.
6. Almost posetive you can't get any kind of sound suppression for the Thunderbolt.

The Thunderbolt is something of a Deus Ex Machina to make Lone Star grunts relatively deadly, IMO. Why else would there be this strange rule that Lone Star will harass you for having one if not to just discourage players from taking it?

In any case, the Thunderbolt is pretty powerful, but probably it's not particularly suitable for a stealth character. I'd say more, but the point has already been made by several others.

One final note about sound suppression: if you look in SR3, there's actually a table of TNs for people to hear gunshots, silenced gunshots, etc in a building. So, with a strict interpretation of the rules, sound suppression dosen't mean that your Thunderbolt would be totally silent. As a suppressed burst-fire weapon, it would still be easier to hear than a suppressed Predator based on the TNs outlined in SR3.

In fact, I think that if you want a totally silent weapon you'd need to use a longbow or shuriken or something, rather than a suppressed firearm.

The Thunderbolt is also patently ridiculous for peace officers. As someone (perhaps Raygun?) pointed out on this site ages ago, no cop is going to carry a gun that only fires in burst mode: forget about firing these things in public 'cause the odds of hitting a civilian just tripled.

The Thunderbolt isn't much good for a shadowrunner, either. You only get one burst per initiative pass that has a chance of hitting anything. When the brown stuff hits the fan you'll need to bring down bad guys faster than that. Grenades, SMGs or a spread weapon like the Ruger Thunderbolt are just what the doctor ordered when you've got multiple targets in mind.

Also, consider having a mage buddy bind an elemental to you for protection - you can order it to attack or cause a distraction and get on with whatever profitable activity suits your fancy. Same with having a good drone on hand.

My gripe about the planning is the rest of the team was in combat, that's based on comments about gunfire and explosions, leaving the woefully underprepared stealth adept in the hanging out to dry by alerting everyone on the ship that something was up. Now creating a destraction is sometimes a good thing, but on a ship it's not so bright as they tend to be fairly linear, and easier to lockdown then say a compound with multiple buildings. Not saying it's completely the teams fault, he should have found someplace and hunkered down for a while, but he's fairly new it'll come in time.

Stealth characters are difficult to play if you want to be a "pure" stealth type. Being unseen with all the tech and types of vision the opposition has tough. It's easier to just blast past security than sneak.

Advise you to smartlink the Ares Viper Slivergun, this is your stealth gun, no sense giving yourself away with a laser dot. Depending on how your GM views the Yamaha Pulsar(your taser), you might want to add a silencer to it, this weapon is when you want to take someone alive. There's no real need to SL the Morrissey Alta, it has a integral laser sight, load this with EX-EX/APDS rounds at the earliest opportunity, this weapon is your last stand weapon(when your SMG runs out of ammo).

Yeah, what Toturi said about the Slivergun. I think you should've opted for a dartgun/narcoject pistol. Get a couple of different types of doses too. Every stealth addy should have one! It bypasses armor and doesn't make much noise. Think Metal Gear here.

Unfortunately, you don't have shotguns as an active skill. A shotgun would be a good last ditch weapon for you. I understand your want of a little more firepower, but it seems like after you initiate, you might want to spend some karma on shotguns (maybe get it up to 4), get a Defiance T-250 (nothing fancy), get several types of rounds, shocklock, slugs, Ex-Ex. I mean, once your seen and everything's put on alert, you might as well blast your way out.

Quick question though. When you initiate, what new abilities are you going to get?

That's a good one.

The Alta's a decent gun it just looks like a "melted slag of plastic" was how a shadowtalker described it. It's supposed to be a designer gun so you might be able to get it into more respectable areas than a "regular" gun.

A regular Alta has an integral laser sight instead of a smartlink. Remember you can get vision magnification 3 for 0.25 PPs, and vision mag is incompatible with smartlinks. The chioce is yours, I guess. Again I do not know how your GM is handling armour exactly (it does not seem that he is running it all according to canon), but if he allows you to wear that sec armour without penalties, then by all means go for it. Otherwise, you are better served with a smart goggle.

[edit]retracted[/edit]

sorry came in late on this one...