Shadowrun
Shadowrun General => Gear => Topic started by: JmOz01 on <04-02-14/2025:45>
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Ok, I have a character best described as being 1/3 street Sam, and debating on his main weapon. The two guns above are the ones I am considering, Both have advantageous and just wanted opinions
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Can you define a main weapon? I'd go with the Ingram X since it won't get me arrested on sight. If you're talking about only on runs, the Alpha is superior.
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Main Weapon:
The primary weapon used in the majority of combat
Weapon most skilled with
"If you can only carry one weapon with you on this run you would choose ______________________"
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The Ares Alpha has more options, particularly with the grenade launcher underslung.
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Here's the issue with your question: These weapons solve entirely different problems. However, they use the same skill, so the real answer is "both", or perhaps marginally the Ingram.
Anytime you can have the Alpha with you, it's a better weapon. Often, though, you can't have the Alpha with you. You should also select a good machine pistol, for when you need an even more concealable weapon.
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My secondary weapon is a Fichetti Security 600 equipped with Explosive ammo and a integrated Smart Link on a hidden arm slide so don't need the machine pistol :) the issue I'm having is I earmarked a specialization on my Auto skill and trying to decide on a SMG or Assault Rifle.
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Do you expect to need a concealable automatic?
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"If you can only carry one weapon with you on this run you would choose..."
The heaviest weapon in my stash that won't get me arrested.
Are you planning on specializing your Automatics skill? If not, then you don't really have to choose. Buy both and bring what you can. If that means leaving the Ingram at home, then fine. It was only 800¥ anyways. Also, since the AK, Colt, and FN HAR are all restricted, they're technically just as legal to tote around as an Ingram. Not nearly as concealable though, but still restricted. If you are planning on specializing rifles, you can always pack a 950¥ AK back at home for when you need firepower less conspicuous than an Alpha.
So yeah. Unless you can't justify the cost of an Alpha and Ingram/AK/Whatever, just buy both. If you have to pick though, may as well buy the Ingram. You're only 1/3 sam anyways, so nobody will fault you for not lugging around a fuck-off-and-die caliber cop magnet.
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Well, I guess the better question is: "what is your other 2/3s ?" and that could make the difference.
While the Alpha is a great assault rifle. IT IS A RIFLE!!! which means it's hard to hide, hard to deploy in close combat, requires 2 hands to operate, and makes a sound that says "CALL HTR NOW NOW NOW!!"
The Ingram, on the other hand, is 1 or 2 handed use (depending on your GM*), can be hidden more easily (to a rifle), but, does less damage.
I guess the question really is, "How Pink is your trenchcoat?"
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Okay, having been reading these forums for a while, I've got to ask...
I guess the question really is, "How Pink is your trenchcoat?"
What does the color pink (I've seen 'Mohawk' and 'trenchcoat' so far) have to do with anything? And why?
In terms of the Ares Alpha, it's really up to how important it is to you that your gun is concealable? If you already have your Fichetti up your sleeve for occasions when you aren't anticipating a firefight, then keeping the Alpha in a nice hidden place until you know you're heading someplace your presence would probably get someone pushing for the FRT and HRT buttons anyway couldn't hurt.
Unless some of that other 2/3 is face that might try and bluff your way out of it, at which point the Ingram would be the better buy.
At the same time, buying both is a valid choice.
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What does the color pink (I've seen 'Mohawk' and 'trenchcoat' so far) have to do with anything? And why?
It's a reference to a continuum of game styles, with "Pink Mohawk" (characterized by crazy, over the top action) on one end and "Black Trenchcoat/Mirrorshades" (characterized by the importance of stealth and not getting caught) on the other.
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Ah. Thanks for the intel.
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We're more black trench.
The other 2/3 is Mystic Adept and decker
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How do you put together a Sam/decker/mystic adept and still be good at anything?
I'm trying to make a decent adept decker and the only way I can get the points to work is to make him severly physically handicapped
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Doesn't matter how he's doing it - the question is still valid.
Personally, I'd go with the Ingram. I know the Alpha is the mathematically superior option, but the Ingram has a few things going for it:
Never underestimate the value of style. There's something to be said for imagination, and very few things fuel the imagination quite like a fun, stylish character. Keep in mind that in a black trenchcoat game, the silencer and size factor are the bigger variables to be concerned with. But if you can add some style to stealth, do it.
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Just keep in mind that against Trolls and Corp-Sec in Full Body Armor you'll want to grab an APDS Alpha. So if your runs evolve to that kinda opposition, make sure you have some heavy toys available for when drek hits the fan.
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Just keep in mind that against Trolls and Corp-Sec in Full Body Armor you'll want to grab an APDS Alpha. So if your runs evolve to that kinda opposition, make sure you have some heavy toys available for when drek hits the fan.
Yeah, Shadowrun is not a game where you pick one weapon and try to apply it to every situation. Weapons are tools, and you use the right tool for the problem.
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To answer how I made such a multi character:
1) I am not good at anything, I am ok at a lot of things, it is his versatility that makes him viable. You know how most characters are "Primary this" and a "Secondary That". Well he is a Secondary that on all of his roles
2) Synergy: He is Race=E, Attributes=D, Resources=C, Magic=B, skills=A. He has poor physical stats, but thanks to magic and a little bio-ware he can hold his own (Spell Increase Strength, Reflex boost, etc...). Mentor Spirit Bear helps a lot too
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I made a similar jack of all trades character and grabbed both. For daily life take the Ingram (or a smaller machine pistol) but if you're going in heavy, that's what the Ares is for.
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My problem is really one of "where do I put my specialization: SMG or Assault rifle
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That still boils down to your table. Are you more likely to go stealthy, or heavy? If you're going stealthy more often, you'll get more bang for your buck (pun intended) out of the SMG specialization.
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Well actually if you're putting more than 3 points into automatics, you're better off just taking a generic rank. Specs are 7k but rank 4 is 8k. And if you're going multi-spec, you probably don't need more than 6.
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That applies outside chargen; before play, you may purchase one specialisation per skill for 1 skill point.
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Well actually if you're putting more than 3 points into automatics, you're better off just taking a generic rank. Specs are 7k but rank 4 is 8k. And if you're going multi-spec, you probably don't need more than 6.
With that you mean that after chargen the specialization is cheaper, so during chargen you should take the generic rank since that gives you more karmic bang for your skillpoint buck?
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Well actually if you're putting more than 3 points into automatics, you're better off just taking a generic rank. Specs are 7k but rank 4 is 8k. And if you're going multi-spec, you probably don't need more than 6.
Actually he has a high Agility 5 (7) and low skills (3 ranks close combat, 1 rank & spec in both Pistols and automatics)
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That applies outside chargen; before play, you may purchase one specialisation per skill for 1 skill point.
I think that's his point: if you're planning to both get a specialization and rank 6 but are short a skillpoint, it's cheaper to start at 6 and buy a specialization for 7 Karma later than it is to start at 5(7) and raise the skill to 6 for 12 Karma later.
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That is my point, yes. I would personally trade the close combat and automatics scores. You're more likely to get into a shooting match than a brawl.
That's a little metagamey, so if your character story makes more sense with fist fighting, go for it I guess. Though you'll probably only have one up-close weapon so it might be easier to pick an effective specialization that way.
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If you have Close Combat 3, 2x guns 1+, I'd switch it for Firearms 3, Unarmed 4. (A minor note: If you take Shock Gloves, those get a +2 due to being Touch attacks, and also hit on a tie. So they're real nice.)
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Ingram hands down.
Unless you spend your life in the barrens fighting toxic gouls all day or something else equally wrong.
If you have Close Combat 3, 2x guns 1+, I'd switch it for Firearms 3, Unarmed 4. (A minor note: If you take Shock Gloves, those get a +2 due to being Touch attacks, and also hit on a tie. So they're real nice.)
What he said.
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Update: Run&Gun is a bit unclear about Touch attacks with Shock stuff. You use Touch attacks to establish a hold on someone, which is useful for some techniques and spells, if you then shock them apparently it doesn't involve bonus damage from net hits. It's not clear about what possible scenarios we're talking about.
1: Establishing a hold with +2 and win on ties, and using an attack to Shock them uses no net hits.
2: Touching them with +2 and win on ties, net hits used for damage, no hold established.
3: Normal attack, using net hits for damage but no +2 and no win on ties.
It's unclear whether with Stun Batons and Shock gloves you can do 1, 1+3, or 1+2+3.
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Carry the Ingram. Keep the Alpha secured in a secret compartment in your vehicle of choice. Just in case.
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Carry the Ingram. Keep the Alpha secured in a secret compartment in your vehicle of choice. Just in case.
I agree with this. To be honest it depends on mission load out, my Gun Adept has a Yamaha Raiden that she uses when going into missions that we know the shit is going to hit the fan, but the majority of the time she carries a Ares Predator because it is concealable and keeps a hand free for other things. If you are married to using automatics I go with the Ingram for its can be concealed inside the lining of a trench coat and with specialized smart fabrics be hard to spot. But if you really want to conceal something, consider the ares Executioner that can be fitted inside of a suitcase for only 500 nuyen. However it is 14F so remember that when Knight Errant is shaking you down at those security check points.