Shadowrun
Shadowrun General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Chalkarts on <04-19-16/1853:04>
-
I create characters for fun,its a sad thing i know, lol.
I was curious about making a character that wasn't cyber, or magical in any way, just ultra normal, all skills and attributes.
Anyone ever played one? I just wonder how viable it would be at all. Just a normal human, would he be roadkill?
-
The problem with such a concept is that there's really 0 incentive to not take at least some 'ware. Being strictly mundane gives you no benefit, and a central theme of SR is that runners need to eke out every advantage to survive.
That said, you can definitely have a character that starts out completely normal, then gains cyberware over the course of play (you can't really Awaken during play except for GM fiat, I guess).
To actually create such a "future street sam" character, I'd make a human and load up in Edge. Being able to add 7 or 8 dice to any pool on a character that's already going to have very good skills and attributes (because what else are you going to spend your chargen resources on?) should make your character effective enough to survive long enough to eventually desecrate his body with cyber spurs and bone lacing and junk.
-
No real reason, yeah, but there is a way.
High Edge, and lots of drugs.
See the "Pharmapunk." (http://forums.shadowruntabletop.com/index.php?topic=23913.0) thread for what I mean when I say, drugs are incredibly potent in 5e and can easily take the place of magic or cyber.
-
No real reason, yeah, but there is a way.
High Edge, and lots of drugs.
See the "Pharmapunk." (http://forums.shadowruntabletop.com/index.php?topic=23913.0) thread for what I mean when I say, drugs are incredibly potent in 5e and can easily take the place of magic or cyber.
Even Pharmapunks benefit immensely from Narco and Nephritic Screens. Doable, but again... no real incentive. Not even much of an RP incentive, especially in a world where data jacks, Nephritic screens and cybereyes are explicitly considered common, normal consumer goods.
-
Absolutely. The kind of holistic hippie that would refuse any and all cyber would probably ALSO refuse drugs, so that's off the table. And that sort of character would be best done with a mage or adept anyways.
-
No real reason, yeah, but there is a way.
High Edge, and lots of drugs.
See the "Pharmapunk." (http://forums.shadowruntabletop.com/index.php?topic=23913.0) thread for what I mean when I say, drugs are incredibly potent in 5e and can easily take the place of magic or cyber.
JUICERS!!!!!!
I hadn't even considered this. Now I'm going to have to explore further.
-
First, if you're not having fun when creating your character, you're not doing it right. ;D
Second, although they may not be the most "optimized" there is plenty of room in SR for unaugmented characters. Folks like Dirk Montgomery from 2XS, the Weapons Specialist archetype from SR4 or The Investigator from SR3.. Not needing priorities for magic or lots of cyberware leaves you plenty to put into attributes and skills. Even more if you're human.
Suggested roles might be an investigator, with good skills in perception, stealth and social areas along with a wide knowledge of surveillance techniques. Or a sniper, with stealth to get into position, a good rifle and surprise you don't need wired reflexes. Or whatever else you can think of. Could any of these roles be a little better with some augmentations? Sure. But if you don't want to take any as a RP choice, well this is a Role Playing game, go for it!
-
I was thinking of going with a gimmiky fully armored guy with armor, tactical helmet, riot shield, Roomsweeper, and vibro-sword if possible.
Kind of a modern knight instead of Steel he wears kevlar but the principle is the same.
A human purist who doesn't believe in tainting the body.
-
You could do that as an Adept though, without any loss of style or substance. It'd make more sense, too, as many Awakened tend to go a little "neo-archaic" with their methods.
-
A mundane character is certainly doable. Using sum-to-ten, you can take A: Attributes and skills, C: metatype for a human with 7 Edge, and E: magic and resources (spending 10 Karma on extra money lets you start out with 26,000 Nuyen, enough for the basic necessities). So you will have great stats, ample skills, and a high Edge when you get in trouble or are making an important roll.
Long-term viability depends on two things: one, how quickly the runners advance, money-wise (so you can start adding augmentations); and two, how important skills are outside of combat. In a stingy campaign where the main focus is on combat dice pools, this guy still won't be bad, but he will probably be behind the power curve. In a campaign with large cash rewards where a well-rounded skill set is rewarded, this might even be an optimal choice to take - have higher Attributes and more skills instead of augmentations you will quickly be replacing with better stuff shortly.
-
Is there a cost associated with customizing a set of armor for appearance purposes?
I was thinking the character could get away with wearing a suit of full armor if it was something he could just explain away as cosplay. It could be a modern functioning replica of Saurons armor or something else well known.
-
No written cost, I could see it being up to the GM. However, it'd take a very specific skillset to rework actual armor into looking cosplay without hindering its protective ability. Also you'd stand out incredibly so, attracting a lot of attention from everyone, cops included. And that'd be just the armor, let alone sword and shield. "They're just for looks, I didn't plan on stabbing anyone!" isn't an excuse that'll stand half a second. Overall, likely wouldn't be able to get away with it more than once, and that'd still be a hassle where you'd be too likely to be examined and searched or put in detainment.
-
One of the main advantages I see a character like this having is that he will always be able to function at a decent level, no matter what the GM throws at him.
-high background count: who cares
-a lot of noise: who cares
-someone tries to shut down your 'ware: not really a problem.
-no weapons: if you take a decent score in unarmed combat, you might still be able to get out of that fight.
and the fact that his attributes and skills will generally be higher makes this type of character ideal for the above situations. It's situational, but in those situations it can be a huge help.
-
It's a hard concept, but it can be done - especially if you play a face:
A: Attributes
B: Skills
B: Metatype: Elf
E: Money
E: Magic
Maximize CHA, get to pretty to hit
Specialize in Leadership, Negotiation and Con, take Stealth Group, Pistols&Automatics + Unarmed (any Martial Arts - Disarm)
Get Lightning Reflexes , Hawk Eye and Jack of all Trades Qualities
Add that nice Executive Suit with 12 Armor, a decent commlink with trodes and you should be good to go as face. If you need to fight you go full defense and use your Leadership skills to augment your team. If you are alone, just blitz and take someone else's weapon.
-
Personally, I wouldn't go E money. Starting out with only 6k nuyen is way lower than necessary. Most times people go E Resources they end up trying to find some way to scrimp by with No gear, and that isn't really what you want with a complete unaugmented mundane. You need to have some guns, good armor, and some other decent support gear. Could easily suffice with D money if you want to have some decent gear but nothing fancy.
The Executive Suite is 2k, a decent commlink is another 1k for a rating 3 (which is only decent). Add in a Lifestyle and a Fake SIN and you've already hit cap.
Not only that, but Priority B Elf is 6 Special Attribute points which is completely wasted on a mundane character. Much better off taking Priority C Metatype and bumping Resources to D. Or if you prefer playing a Human, you can easily get by with Priority D Human and either up Skills to A (using Sum to Ten), or have even more cash and splurge on a nice car and even more gear to back up whatever you need to do.
-
That's correct, but there are ways to raise cash - In debt is one of them, converting Karma the other.
Guns are not necessary - a Defiance Ex with a Laser Sight and a Personalized Grip will make this character mundane and completely legal
But you are right about the wasted attribute point (somehow I thought it was only 5 at B). So you can reduce Edge and raise Money or go wild and go with more skills.
One perk of being completely mundane is that you usually have money to spend on everyday gear other characters have to skimp on.
-
Don't forget the usability of such character, infiltration anywhere just with adapted fake-SIN (And great skills in disguise, impersonation and so on). You can become nearly an everywhere VIP because you don't look like a shadowrunner... If you have contacts and SIN you can enter everywhere to prepare any run...
-
For human mundane Meta A isn't a waste if you take lucky (which you should). Now you have 8 edge, which is a massive advantage for this kind of character. The elf face really, really needs to pretty to hit more than lightning reflexes. Use combat drugs/edge for the needed boost to initiative.
-
I feel that drugs violate the "Totally Mundane" vibe.
Lightning Reflexes could be replaced with Adrenalin Surge for a slightly cheaper build.
-
Sadly, drugs don't invalidate (IMO) mundane builds, but actually help them stay a float. Adrenaline Surge is a better option, I case of a any other initiative boosters are ever used/acquire they won't stack with lightning reflexes.
-
Don't forget the usability of such character, infiltration anywhere just with adapted fake-SIN (And great skills in disguise, impersonation and so on). You can become nearly an everywhere VIP because you don't look like a shadowrunner... If you have contacts and SIN you can enter everywhere to prepare any run...
Not really. No 'ware at all is far from normal. If you try to claim you're a successful megacorp employee, and you don't even have a datajack, somebody is going to call BS. Most of them have a jack, and many have cybereyes, and a lot of them do some kind of drug, usually a stimulant or antidepressant, or both.
-
@Rift_0f_Bladz
A matter of taste I guess. But if someone doesn't want cyberware in his body (which is the premise of this build) I find it hard to justify that he would take drugs instead.
@firebug
It's easy to fake having a datajack as well as a drug habit - it's a lot harder to appear as not having them.
Being clean also extends to not having any restricted drugs in or on you - it's a lot harder for Lonestar to stick you with a crime if they find nothing illegal/restricted on your person.
-
If he wants to compete with the other runners, he better have some kind of edge (not Edge). And sadly, when combat finally happens (it always does) he will need some way to stay competitive. Drugs is one of the most effective ways, but at a cost.
And yes, the runner would be odd not having some kind of 'ware, unless awakened, which is extremely hard to fake. But you can fake a datajack and use trodes and AR gloves.
-
Mechanically Shadowrun is Stat+Skill+Stuff to calculate your dice pools i.e. your actual mechanical effectiveness. Magic and/or Augments are the most common source for the "Stuff" part of that formula. If you're good with 10 to 12 dice on most of your pools, with the occasional Edge, then rock on. I'm going to say though, even for missions games you're going to struggle with such dice pools on every test. You can't edge everything.
There isn't much fluff reason to be a Mundane character without cyberware. Physical Adepts are great for the "Purist" concept. They can even be constructed in such a way that Back Ground Count doesn't impact your character much, if at all. Improved Reflexes, Critical Strike, Improved Accuracy, Nimble Fingers, ect, ect. Lots of good powers that are minimally impacted by Background Count, or not at all in some cases, and don't leave a signature.
Drugs go a long way to even up such characters, but then I really question your "Purist" concept : )
http://forums.shadowruntabletop.com/index.php?topic=23876.msg443317#msg443317 for my own take on a Mundane with low resources.
-
Hobbes, you do realize that if you have a Power on in a Background Count, you take the Count's rating as a penalty to any dice-pool affected by the power? Improved Reflexes on means all of your Reaction-based rolls (like Defense tests) will be taking a dive. Your Fingers won't be so Nimble when you're in a Background Count either.
And there's plenty of fluff reason to be a mundane character without 'ware. Personal reasons, health reasons, financial reasons, etc. The list goes on. Just because a person isn't magical, doesn't mean they don't want to replace their eyes with cameras, or stick synthetic weirdness into their body, or have an internal organ replaced with something that has a battery.
On top of that, not everyone can be Awakened. Only 1 in 100 have any iota of magical potential, and it only ends up being around 2,500 in 1,000,000 that have an appreciable Magic score with their minds (relatively) intact.
In the end, there's no thematic reason against making a 'ware-free mundane; there are mechanical consequences to that decision, however. Some are good (no magic or 'ware to get detected, easier on your wallet and your Karma), some are bad (you won't have some of the nifty abilities and your dice-pools will be a bit shorter). In the end, you should play what you want, just make sure to factor in the ramifications of your choice beforehand so you have an idea of what you're getting into.
-
it's a lot harder for Lonestar to stick you with a crime if they find nothing illegal/restricted on your person.
Why would a little thing like being innocent make it more difficult for the 'Star to pin something on you?
I'll also agree that this would work well for a face or investigator. Or anyone who is more (non tech) skill-focused and less combat-focused.
-
I'd point out though that say, a new-age hippie or say... A person so scared by CFD they refuse any augmentation (even bioware), would probably be very unlikely to find work as a "standard" runner. They'd need to still have something that makes them have an edge over others (like say, the Aptitude quality and thus exceptional skill in something?) or else employers likely wouldn't think you have what it takes.
I know if I was going to hire a runner, unless that person had serious political/social connections to the point that what they are capable of was meaningless, OR they had a few years of experience behind them showing that they can somehow manage with no magic or augmentation... I wouldn't pick that person. This is for "being a runner" though, as in, someone who is expected to do crimes for me and go up against security teams.
Maybe if they were a face, especially if they were an elf, then I'd be like "Well, alright, you can probably get your part of the job done if my fixer says you're good."
What I'm saying is, such a character is probably best for a non-standard campaign anyways where it isn't just Mr. Johnson this, Fixer that, getting shot by CorpSec.
-
Hobbes, you do realize that if you have a Power on in a Background Count, you take the Count's rating as a penalty to any dice-pool affected by the power? Improved Reflexes on means all of your Reaction-based rolls (like Defense tests) will be taking a dive. Your Fingers won't be so Nimble when you're in a Background Count either.
Improved Reflexes is there to bump up initiative and it's still adding d6s regardless of the BGC. Nimble fingers is there mostly for the Action economy, lossing the +1 dice to palming skills is minor. 'tis what I meant by " constructed in such a way that Back Ground Count doesn't impact your character much, if at all. " There are lots of good Adept Powers that function mechanically just fine with a BGC. Motion Sense, Traceless Walk, Wall Running, Freefall and so forth. If you're looking to build an Adept character that simply "Always Works" it can be done.
In the end, there's no thematic reason against making a 'ware-free mundane; there are mechanical consequences to that decision, however. Some are good (no magic or 'ware to get detected, easier on your wallet and your Karma), some are bad (you won't have some of the nifty abilities and your dice-pools will be a bit shorter). In the end, you should play what you want, just make sure to factor in the ramifications of your choice beforehand so you have an idea of what you're getting into.
Sure, like I said, as long as you're good with the resulting dice pools, rock on. But the mundane individual who chooses not to have cyberware for personal reasons is a pretty special snowflake too. Especially if they're deciding to be a Shadowrunner for a living.
-
Just as a finger exercise, here is Fey S. Mundane
Ini 12+2d6
and weapon skills around 15 dice (AGI 6 Skill 6 Specialization 2 Lasersight 1)
Working as the face and using Leadership to direct as well as Small Unit Tactics.
== Info ==
Movement: 12/24
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 0
Public Awareness: 0
Elf
Composure: 12
Judge Intentions: 13
Lift/Carry: 6 (45 kg/30 kg)
Memory: 6
Nuyen: 445
== Priorities ==
Metatype: C - Human, Dwarf, Elf, or Ork
Attributes: A - 24 Attributes
Special: E - Mundane
Skills: A - 46 Skills/10 Skill Groups
Resources: E - 6,000¥
== Attributes ==
BOD: 3
AGI: 6
REA: 5
STR: 3
CHA: 7
INT: 6
LOG: 1
WIL: 5
EDG: 4
== Derived Attributes ==
Essence: 6
Initiative: 11 (12) + 2d6
Rigger Initiative: 12 + 2d6
Astral Initiative:
Matrix AR Initiative: 12 + 2d6
Matrix Cold Initiative: 6 + DP + 3d6
Matrix Hot Initiative: 6 + DP + 4d6
Physical Damage Track: 10
Stun Damage Track: 11
== Limits ==
Physical: 5
Mental: 5
Social: 9
Zoé: Executive Suite [+2] (Must be visible)
Astral: 9
== Active Skills ==
Animal Handling : 0 Pool: 6
Archery : 0 Pool: 5
Automatics : 6 [Assault Rifles] Pool: 12 (14)
Blades : 0 Pool: 5
Clubs : 0 Pool: 5
Computer : 1 Pool: 2
Con : 6 Pool: 13
Disguise : 4 Pool: 10
Diving : 0 Pool: 2
Escape Artist : 0 Pool: 5
Etiquette : 1 Pool: 8
Free-Fall : 0 Pool: 2
Gunnery : 0 Pool: 5
Gymnastics : 6 Pool: 12
Heavy Weapons : 0 Pool: 5
Impersonation : 6 Pool: 13
Instruction : 0 Pool: 6
Intimidation : 0 Pool: 6
Leadership : 6 [Direct] Pool: 13 (15)
Longarms : 0 Pool: 5
Navigation : 0 Pool: 5
Negotiation : 6 [Bargaining] Pool: 13 (15)
Palming : 4 Pool: 10
Perception : 4 [Visual] Pool: 10 (12)
Performance : 6 Pool: 13
Pilot Ground Craft : 1 Pool: 6
Pilot Watercraft : 0 Pool: 4
Pistols : 6 [Tasers] Pool: 12 (14)
Running : 0 Pool: 2
Sneaking : 4 Pool: 10
Survival : 0 Pool: 4
Swimming : 0 Pool: 2
Throwing Weapons : 0 Pool: 5
Tracking : 0 Pool: 5
Unarmed Combat : 6 [[Martial Art]] Pool: 12 (14)
== Knowledge Skills ==
Business : 1 [People Management] Pool: 2 (4)
Magical Threats : 2 Pool: 3
Small Unit Tactics : 6 [Urban] Pool: 12 (14)
Spanish : 1 Pool: 7
Underworld : 2 Pool: 8
== Contacts ==
; Fixer (4, 3)
; Fence (6, 1)
; ID Manufacturer (1, 6)
== Qualities ==
Consummate Professional
Creature of Comfort (Middle)
Driven
In Debt V
Jack of All Trades Master of None
Lightning Reflexes
Low-Light Vision
Poor Self Control (Thrill Seeker)
Records on File (Saeder-Krupp)
Too Pretty To Hit
== Lifestyles ==
Home 1 months
== Armor ==
Zoé: Executive Suite 12
+Chemical Protection 2
+Custom Fit
+Newest Model
+Shock Frills
== Weapons ==
Defiance EX Shocker
+Concealed Quick-Draw Holster
+Laser Sight
+Personalized Grip
Pool: 12 (14) Accuracy: 6 DV: 9S(e) AP: -5 RC: 2
Unarmed Attack
Pool: 12 Accuracy: 5 DV: 3S AP: - RC: 2
== Martial Arts ==
Krav Maga
+Called Shot (Disarm)RG136
== Commlink ==
Hermes Ikon (ATT: 0, SLZ: 0, DP: 5, FWL: 5)
== Gear ==
Ammo: Taser Dart (Tasers) x20
Earbuds Rating 3
+Audio Enhancement Rating 3
Fake SIN Rating 4
Glasses Rating 4
+Flare Compensation
+Thermographic Vision
+Vision Enhancement Rating 2
Micro-Transceiver
Trodes
== Vehicles ==
Yamaha Growler (Off-Road Bike)
+Sensor Array Rating 2
+Helmet
== Karma Expenses ==
-
Heh. Just to be clear, I'm not saying you can't make a mundane, non-cybered character. You of course can. You can also make a character with 22 dicepool in Artisan (muffin baking) if you want. I'm just saying it's not a terribly rational or necessary thing to do. And you shouldn't be surprised when Johnsons are hesitant to hire you or other runners are hesitant to work with you.
The other big issue for a 100% mundane character, beyond the ones Firebug and I brought up, is that I question what exactly the guy is going to spend his nuyen on from a character advancement perspective.
If you're magic, you've got foci and reagents (binding is super expensive!) to blow your money on. If you're cybered, you save up your pennies for betaware. As a guy who's obstinately mundane forever you buy a sweet truck, enough random gear to fill and... then what?
Basically you're forced to rely on Karma for advancement, while every other archetype in the game gets to use both nuyen and Karma for advancement. Except for technomancers, I guess, who as near as I can tell also have no use for nuyen. But saying, "Hey, my character concept is only as gimped as technomancers!" is... not a great defense.
Hmm. If you're not using your nuyen for character advancement, what else could you spend it on? You could save up and buy a nice HQ for your team. You can get jobs done easier by handing out bribes like candy. You can generally fund your team's shenanigans m, springing for a drone when you need more firepower or that particular piece of B&E gear you need to get into that facility.
That might be fun to play, but that honestly sounds like a PC Fixer more than a proper shadowrunner.
-
You're acting like there wouldn't be penalties, but okay Hobbes.
And a mundane not wanting 'ware for whatever reason isn't all that special snowflake. If you want to go there, every Shadowrunner is a special snowflake criminal.
You know what a mundane Face/Infiltrator could spend all that nuyen on?
Lifestyles
Identities (SINs and Licenses)
Disguise Gear (All the uniforms you can think of)
Contacts
Safe-Houses
Equipment (high quality B&E isn't cheap)
Bribes
Etc.
There's plenty of things to spend your nuyen on if you think about it.
As far as 'why would people ever hire a mundane person instead of a cyber or magicked one' comments... How would they know the guy has nothing in him? How would that be a problem if he gets the job done? I mean, look at Spade's dude. That one is close to a Rating 5 Professional without any augmentations. Sure, the Rating 5 Professional IS a little better, but he can hold his own at the least. That is a completely viable shadowrunner build right there, at combat, physical AND social stuff.
-
As far as 'why would people ever hire a mundane person instead of a cyber or magicked one' comments... How would they know the guy has nothing in him? How would that be a problem if he gets the job done? I mean, look at Spade's dude. That one is close to a Rating 5 Professional without any augmentations. Sure, the Rating 5 Professional IS a little better, but he can hold his own at the least. That is a completely viable shadowrunner build right there, at combat, physical AND social stuff.
I assume a Johnson gets a dossier about the runners from their fixer and doesn't just blindly say "Alright Fixer, get me a team for X." I'm just saying, it takes a lot of trust that someone in a field dominated by cyborgs and wizards who chooses to be neither has what it takes to do it on pure skill and grit. Fresh blood just isn't going to get that kind of trust.
That said, Jack Spade's character is a great character who fulfills the Face roll aptly and is no pushover in combat, so I have to say, point proven. There's things I don't like about it (1 LOG makes me uncomfortable, and he has a lot of skill with Assault Rifles but only carries a taser) but they are very minor.
EDIT: To explain my first point more, if I'm looking through my dossier of new talent, and see two combat specialists, one who is known to have wires, plating, and all that shit, and someone who doesn't... In-game, people don't know all the PCs are built on the same point value. They don't know "Well this guy must make it up elsewhere!" There's roles, like Face, where what kind of upgrades you've got in your flesh doesn't matter as much, though. I'm just saying I'm not being completely illogical.
-
I assume a Johnson gets a dossier about the runners from their fixer and doesn't just blindly say "Alright Fixer, get me a team for X." I'm just saying, it takes a lot of trust that someone in a field dominated by cyborgs and wizards who chooses to be neither has what it takes to do it on pure skill and grit. Fresh blood just isn't going to get that kind of trust.
Well, if it is fresh blood, then it's reasonable that nobody would have much of a dossier on the character, or place much trust in the character's abilities... cyberware or no cyberware. After all, if it's a new street sam... how does the Johnson know that the sam is properly cybered? The sam won't have much of a street rep, if any. So a fresh blood mundane character is just as untrusted as everyone else.
And after the character has a street rep, well, if the character is successful in his runs, people tend to accept results more than stats. Just as an obvious example, in one corner we have cybered up Street Sam "Rabid", with some really really great combat stats, some drugs, etc, who happens to have some really bad Qualities that make him a bad team member. Like basically being an idiot screw-up. In the other corner, we have a consummate professional who is a well-equipped, intelligent, and careful mundane operative. Even if the street sam could cut up the mundane operative easily in combat, I'd much rather have the mundane on my team. And, in the world of Shadowrun, how do you know who is dumb and who is smart? By their results, not by their 'ware.
So, in the end... a mundane newbie is no worse off than a cybered one, and a veteran shadowrunner is judged more by their results than their ware.
-
@Firebug
LOG 1 seemed fitting for a character that refuses any augmentation and/or drugs and still wants to participate on shadow runs ;)
The character as built in the need for cash (Debt, Driven, Creature of Comfort) and the ability to get good prices and favorable deals (Consumate Professional, 15 base dice) - that alone should make her a high valued asset to the team.
Not to mention that through Leadership she can enhance the performance of the other team members in almost all regards. The summoner will love her just as much as the HotF decker.
This is no character for solo runs, but in a team this one can augment the overall performance greatly - not unlike a bard in D&D.
Not having a real weapon with her is part of the concept: If she needs one, she disarms an opponent and afterwards discards the weapon. Shock frills will do the rest.
-
I think such a character type has to choose qualities carefully, as they become more definitive. More viable in less high-powered campaigns, but I think can create some great RP opportunity. Generalizing here, but I think having more mundanes are great for a more cybperunk-noir over a cyberpunk fantasy feel.
Character Types that come to mind (though probably not as optimized as a 'wared/magicked/techno'd character) below.
Face alternates: These options can work as team faces. They take a hit to "natural" social rolls that are offset by other perks/areas of focus.
- Richie Rich: Running the shadows for the thrill, fun, to piss off parents, etc. Is probably not the most competent, but brings some nuyen perks when you need them. Knows a lot about high society. Skill Focus: Influence Group, (odd skills), Qualities: Fame, Privileged Family Name, Trustfund, Friends in High Places, Too Pretty to Hit. Notable Gear: Nice lifestyle(s), fancy clothes, cool ride, assisting drone, tool shops, etc.
-PI/Ex-cop/Ex-Military: Vast Network of contacts both legit and shady. Not afraid to be intimidating. Knows a lot about gangs, syndicates, cops, security, and government. Skill Focus: Leadership/Intimidation, Influence Group, Combat. Qualities: Disgraced, City Slicker, Rank, School of Hark Knocks, (Better to be Feared Than loved), (Profiler).
-Ghost: A social infiltrator that is not meant to be remembered or found. Nothing marked out of the ordinary. Skill focus: Acting Group, Stealth Group. Unarmed/Small Arms/Unique weapon. Qualities: Erased, Blandness, (Human Looking), First Impression, Natural Athlete, Consummate Professional . Gear: B&E.
-Gambler: I might also classify a gambler as a social infiltrator, but has a reputation to maintain. Knows a lot about hip places, key personalities, Games (gambling and confidence). Can't be kicked out of places for magical or technological advantage. Skill Areas: Palming, Acting, Influence, small arms. Qualities: Lucky, Common Sense, Barrens Rat, Speed Reading, Photographic Memory, (Profiler), Solid Rep.
Survivalist: No 'ware because of nature and stuff. Better suited for campaigns that may take you out of the city more often when having someone who knows the outdoors can be helpful. Skill Focus: Archery/Clubs, Outdoors Group, Athletics, Diving/Freefall. Qualities: Animal Empathy, Outdoorsman, Hawkeye, Natural Athlete. Quick/Uncanny Healing. Notable Gear: Diving Suit, Climbing Gear, off road vehicle.
Old School Pilot/Driver: Trusts instincts more than data. AR pilot/gunner/driver with high edge. Skill focus: Pilot/Gunnery, long-range combat, Qualities: Steely-Eyed Wheelman, Vehicle Empathy. Gear: Awesome Van/copter.
Daredevil: Temperament can range from the antisocial to the more care-free roguish.This character has no need for magic/ware, as he/she is fueled and rewarded for passion (and high edge)! Believing makes it happen! Skill Focus: Combat, (Other Showy skill [performance, gymnastics, escape artist, etc.]) Qualities: Revels in Murder, Daredevil,Poor self control: thrill seeker, (antipathy).
-
Your face has over 25 karma in PQs, so this wouldn't work as a starting runner, unless you saved ~4 karma and bought either of the 2 karma PQs afterwards.
-
Your face has over 25 karma in PQs, so this wouldn't work as a starting runner, unless you saved ~4 karma and bought either of the 2 karma PQs afterwards.
The lists are just ideas/options to pick from.
-
I create characters for fun,its a sad thing i know, lol.
I was curious about making a character that wasn't cyber, or magical in any way, just ultra normal, all skills and attributes.
Anyone ever played one? I just wonder how viable it would be at all. Just a normal human, would he be roadkill?
I've done this before a couple times, back in 4e. One was a Face, and the other a hacker that spent all their time in VR (paid for the hospitalization lifestyle). It is doable, though. No one really expects the Face to be uber in a fight, after all.
-
Your face has over 25 karma in PQs, so this wouldn't work as a starting runner, unless you saved ~4 karma and bought either of the 2 karma PQs afterwards.
The lists are just ideas/options to pick from.
Ah, ok. I would add in Adrenaline Surge and Lucky as well.
-
Here is a perfectly usable 100% mundane combatant character. A bit of tweaking to switch Aptitude for Lightning Reflexes would help him, but he'd work just fine as-is.
Real Name: Jack Valance
Street Name: Snake
Age: 36
Height: 6'2”
Weight: 175 lbs.
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Metatype (Priority D)
Human (3)
Magic (Priority E)
Mundane
Attributes (Priority A – 24 points)
Body 3
Agility 5
Reaction 6
Strength 3
Willpower 3
Logic 4
Intuition 5
Charisma 3
Edge 5
Essence 6.0
Derived Attributes
Initiative 11 + 1d6
Composure 6
Judge Intentions 8
Lift and Carry 45 kg / 6
Memory 9
Mental Inherent Limit: 6
Physical Inherent Limit: 5
Social Inherent Limit: 5
Skills (Priority B – 36/5) (+19 Karma)
Athletics Skill Group 5
Pistols (Semi-Automatics) 6
Longarms (Sniper Rifles) 7
Blades 4
Sneaking 4
Perception 4
Etiquette 2
Armorer 5
First Aid 2
Pilot Ground Craft (Wheeled) 3 [Gained via Karma]
Knowledge Skills (18 Free Skill Points + 2 Karma)
Military 4
Business 3
Police Procedures 2
History 2 [Increase to 2 with Karma]
Club Music 2
Firearm Design 3
Sprawl Life 3
Negative Qualities
Sensitive System (12)
Sinner [National – CAS] (5)
Prejudiced [Awakened – Biased] (3)
Allergy [Mild, Pineapple] (5)
Positive Qualities
Aptitude [Longarms] (14)
Resources (Priority C – 140,000) (+10 Karma – 20,000)
Survival Knife – 5 Acc, 5P, -1 AP 100
Colt Government 2066 – 6 Acc, 7P, -1 AP, SA, 14(c) 425
5 Spare Clips [Regular Ammo] 165
5 Spare Clips [APDS Ammo] 865
5 Spare Clips [Stick-n-Shock Ammo] 585
Silencer 500
Ruger Super Warhawk – 5 Acc, 9P, -2 AP, SS, 6(cy) 400
60 Regular Ammo 120
30 APDS Ammo 360
Remington 950 – 7 Acc, 12P, -4 AP, SS, 5(m) 2,100
30 Regular Ammo 60
30 APDS Ammo 360
Imaging Scope 300
Vision Magnification 250
Low Light Vision 500
Defiance T-250 – 4 Acc, 10P, -1 AP, SS/SA, 5(m) 450
40 Regular Ammo 80
Outfit of Nice Clothing 100
Leather Jacket – 4 Armor, Chemical Protection 4 1,300
Lined Coat – 9 Armor, Nonconductivity 4, Chemical Protection 4 2,900
Actioneer Business Clothes – 8 Armor 1,500
Erika Elite Comm-link 2,500
AR Gloves 150
Subvocal Microphone 50
Contact Lenses – Rating 3 600
Image Link 25
Flare Compensation 250
Flashlight 25
Survival Kit 200
Medkit – Rating 6 1,500
Middle Lifestyle – 7 months 35,000
Low Lifestyle – 5 months 18,000
Special Work Area --------
Extra Secure --------
Armorer Facility 50,000
Fake SIN – Rating 4 10,000
Fake License – Rating 4 [Weapons Permit] 800
Fake License – Rating 4 [Driver's License] 800
Fake License – Rating 4 [Vehicle Registration] 800
Toyota Gopher 25,000
5/5 Hand, 4 Spd, 2 Accel, 14 Bod, 12 Armor, 1 Pilot, Sensor 2, Seats 6
Contacts (9 Free Karma + 5 Karma)
Fixer – Connection 4 Loyalty 3
Police Detective – Connection 3, Loyalty 4
Total Gear Cost: 158,570
Starting Nuyen: 1,700 + 880 = 2,580
Karma Remaining: 0